Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis User Reviews (Page 2)

• rasher
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2019

Efudex (fluorouracil) "Had to stop using Efudix on my face after 2 weeks and 2 days because of pain, dizziness, and mouth sores. My face was a fright, bright red all over as the cream seemed to creep" when used . One week later the rash has settled and the pain has subsided but I fear it will be weeks before I return to my normal look. I have dry flakey scabs on my face where scabs were not evident before Efudix. I regret using this cream on my face. My chest looks like I have been blasted with both barrels of a shotgun. Red welts everywhere as I dressed the whole area with Efudix as advised by DR. Not really painful but starting to itch. I am 3 weeks into this area, I feel I could stop now but will give it a few more days. The jury is still out................."

• Julie...
• October 17, 2016

Carac (fluorouracil) "21 day treatment. This stuff is brutal but it works. Make sure you give yourself a full two months for treatment and recovery. This treatment is lengthy and there is a process to it. Try to plan your treatment in the winter or fall months when its cooler. Believe me you will not want to go outside. Your face will be unsightly and you will become sensitive to the sun. Use the medicine at night and aquaphor during the day or at least two hours after you apply the cream. Cool the cream in the refrigerator for a bit for instant relief. You WILL get itchy. I used a q tip dipped in aquaphor to gently relieve the itchy. Be careful around the crevices by your nose. You don't want cream to accumulate there. Hang in there."

• Sladep
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

"I had extensive AKs for the past10 years on my forehead, scalp, temples, face and hands. Regular liquid nitrogen treatments removed those which were visible. They would return and other unseen AKs would appear. I wanted more effective treatment so I did almost 3 weeks of heavy applications of fluororacil 5%, 2x/day. The burning, blistering, cracking, stinging and swelling is most impressive. After nearly 3 weeks, my derm said I was done and it would take 2 weeks to improve alot, and 4 to be all better. He was right. My skin is great now, looks good and no AKs! It's miserable getting there but less cancer risk - why wouldn't you do it?"

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2016

Efudex (fluorouracil) "Dear the a: I have widespread actinic keratosis on my forearms. I was prescribed Efudex. I have thin, fair skin and some freckling. The damage seems to have occurred from a childhood playing outdoors, before sunscreen became so important. The Efudex, astonishingly, did nothing. So very disappointing. The dermatologist was equally surprised, and prescribed another round. Still nothing. And no one can give me an answer. I am now considering a chemical peel or whatever the next step might be. So very tired of hiding my arms. Good luck to you. If anyone can give you an answer, please, please post it here."

• Hask
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2019

Tolak (fluorouracil) "Instructed by my dermo to apply cream mornings each day for 4 weeks - wash face at night with a gentle cleanser. Today is day #19, so I am well into into my 3rd week. Results are dramatic. I do look like a zombie from Michael Jackson's Thriller video, but apparently that is a good thing - it's working. Lots of red splotches including my neck, which I included besides my face. First signs of scabbing, which is the next phase. Can't wait. I just hope that things clear up quickly after day #28. Not much fun, especially in public, but most likely worth the aggravation."

• Joe
• April 18, 2020

"Asked to use 5 fluorouracil cream by my derm but I have always refused them. I have had a Mohs surgery and a few PDT treatments over the past 15 years. Due to Covid-19 I am working from home and can take the time. My derm prescribed 5% at 2Xs per day for 14 days. Applied to my entire face & forehead (minus the eyes, mouth, chin). Day 4 - pain intense, made it difficult to smile, eat or sleep. Face & forehead red, the skin weeps, burns, and in is turning a deeper maroon color. At night I get chills but keep praying that I will make it thru. Day 9 now, many areas have blended together around my nose & cheeks as well as some areas on my forehead & temples. The pain is difficult to handle. But not impossible. We are tougher than we think! It is important that I do this for myself & my family. I love them more than I hate the pain. You can do it too! Praying for strength for all of you who are about to join this battle & for those who are in treatment trying to tough it out. You can do it!"

• marlin
• May 1, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I grew up in Canberra, Australia. Sunburn every year, never wore a hat, didn't know about sunburn cream. I started using Efudex when I was 38. I'm on my fourth facial using it. I can last 16 days at the most. I would be so painful if I used it for 28 days. I know it's time to stop when it is so itchy that I don't get a single minute of sleep at night. I have to stay at home for 3 or 4 weeks - I scare too many people otherwise. Before bed I have to take mild sleeping tablets (Restavit) and ibuprofen. I used to use Lucas Pawpaw ointment at night, but it's too thick and itchy. I use Dermeze treatment ointment. Lucas' is good for recovery. I have to wash the Efudex off before I go to sleep - otherwise I can feel its horrible burning all night. If I accidentally touch the treated spot and then rub my eyes, they get swollen for days. I hate the treatment (0/10) - torturers could use it. But I love the results (10/10). My skin feels so good for 4 years."

• Cardi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2021

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I was prescribed Efudix for a spot on my cheek that refused to heal and would crack and bleed if stretching the skin to wash or apply makeup. I have fair skin. I was told it was pre cancerous . Applied the cream as directed but after two weeks treatment I started to become increasingly unwell, and by the end of 28 days had horrible gastric and bowel symptoms. I even had a test to make sure that I was not missing DPD as I was so badly affected even two weeks after stopping treatment . I recovered thankfully and the spot on my cheek healed well, but I wouldn't go through it again. I'd opt for cryosurgery or surgery even if it left a small scar . This cream is seriously toxic to pets incidentally, so please be very careful with it ."

• Spock
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2018

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I was misdiagnosed by a dermatologist as having A.K. when actually I had eczema. Efudex turned my arm into a raw ulcerated painful itchy oozing mess. Unable to sleep. Application was for two weeks only, then discontinued. After recovering from the treatment, the eczema was still there. I changed doctors. One application of a medium strength corticosteroid, itching gone, healing started. Please get multiple opinions about the disease you have, and the treatment options before being told to use efudex."

• debar...
• December 24, 2015

"I have been applying cream to my face for actinic keratosis for 3 weeks and my face looks horrible , like I have been burned bad. I have 1 week to go and hope I make it. It makes your skin burn and itch so bad but that is better than someday having to have surgery to remove skin. I found that if you apply vaseline to lips and eye lids before you wash your face helps not getting it on them. You do not want to get it on your lips ,it burns them really bad. I hope I make it through this ."

• Snigel
• October 22, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "My GP saw some actinic keratosis on my head and said I should mention this at my appointment a dermatologist. I am using fluorouracil 5% .The regime was 4 weeks once a day, followed by 3 weeks healing followed by 4 weeks. The 2nd treatment is to reveal and fix any actinic keratosis missed in the first. I have nearly finished the ALL treatment, on my head - I am bald. I am 78 years old. The treatment on the head was itchy and at the end painful- the 2nd treatment did not show any remaining AKs. I could see that some of the 'rash' raised by the drug extended to my face so I started a treatment there. This was more painful - particularly round the mouth and cheeks as these move if you smile or speak. I am in the healing phase now and will start a second treatment in 2 weeks. COVID has meant that my scary face has not scared the neighbourhood!! This was free on the NHS (National Health Service UK)- they are great"

• Dee
• March 12, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I am on Efudex for a few spots of actinic keratosis on my face. I am on day 15 and was prescribed to stay on it for 21 days . My face is raw, swollen , and monstrous looking I feel like it’s super glued. I’m gonna do my best to stick it out for the next six days. Like many others, my doctor did not tell me about the intense pain and scary look. However my father-in-law was on the cream a few years ago so I knew what I was in for. I also went through photo light therapy 12 years ago where that result was immediate, threw up on the way home from the pain. Efudux has the same pain , just a long drawn out process to get there."

• Dave
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "My dermatologist said apply on face twice daily for 10-12 days. Well, my skin is super sensitive. After 2 days I was red, itching, and in pain, so I stopped at the end of day 5. I’m at day 9 and look like I have severe sunburn with scaling, pealing, oozing, and burning. I am hopeful I’m about to turn a corner toward clearing up. Argh! It worked great on my legs after 2 week’s treatment. My facial skin, another story."

• Luke
• November 1, 2019

"I have had 10 separate Moh's procedures on my face to remove 9 basal cell carcinomas and one squamous cell carcinoma on the side of my nose. And many liquid nitrogen freezing episodes along with one surgery on my left forearm to remove another basal cell carcinoma and one on my chest. Now my dermatologists have prescribed fluorouracil for certain spots on my face and many on my scalp. I have had the entire gamut of side effects. Some so unpleasant and serious such as, nausea, severe headache, feeling fluish, insomnia, etc., I had to stop using for a few weeks and then start up again. It seems to be taking a very long time to treat them on my scalp. Currently, I am experiencing very painful joints especially knees which have never bothered me before. Why I came to this site to look up side effects. There is no mention of this particular side effect but I can't help but think it may have something to do with it."

• Magic
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "Body is covered with skin eruptions . Used Efudex for 2 weeks on right cheek. Using Bioderm. Does not seem to be helping . 7 weeks since treatment. Seeing dermatologist, did biopsy, on prednisone. Where to go ? Apparently there are still cells on my cheek after efudex. Very scary drug ! Face is still healing, not sure how long it will take. Effectiveness unknown at this time."

• MBFitz
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2017

Carac (fluorouracil) "I have extensive AK on my face & chest and have had 5 Basal Cell & 1 Pre Melanoma lesions removed via surgery. Because of the extensive AK & my history - my Derm tried Blue Light (Levulan). I only made it 8 minutes & had 2nd Degree burns. Due to my reaction my Mohs Surgeon recommended Carac in a modified application as I am in sales. I use the cream 7 days then am off 3-4 wks. I plan by time of year & my schedule as you can't be in the sun. The Carac cream has been AMAZING!! I put it on before bed. I documented my reaction and have found that about Day 6 I can see red trouble spots, Day 7/8 itching, Day 10 scabbing. Overall my AK has diminished by 80% after 4 cycles since last spring. I took summer/fall off."

• onein...
• November 26, 2019

"Treating whole face for 2 weeks, twice a day. Actinic Chelitis on lips, so am applying it to lips too. Aquaphor on inner lip before application to block it. Lips react before the rest of your face and treatment is shorter -7-10 days. The lips will crack, blister, bleed, and hurt. Use a straw. If you had any kind of sensitive skin or rosacea or even hormonal irritable skin around mouth and nose prior to treatment, this will erupt almost more than areas with cancer or AKs. ‘Normal’ skin definitely will be affected, and will actually tend to scar and discolor more than cancerous areas after treatment. My first doc told me none of this, my second one did. I'll continue to put on AK areas, but not in those other zones. Get a good doctor. If they tell you to do your whole face, question that or get a second opinion- I now know I didn't need it and spot treatment would have been much more appropriate, and that much of this suffering was not needed."

• Angry...
• June 27, 2016

Carac (fluorouracil) "The cream works wonderfully. It is a little bit hot and you really feel the burn. The outcome is worth it but it is CRIMINAL how much the drug company charges for this medication!!! It has been around since 1957 and in 2009 it cost $157.00 per tube, today it costs $2,865.00. Absolutely abuse!"

• Neuro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2017

Tolak (fluorouracil) "I have used Efudex for years on my severely sun-worshiped skin. I could never tolerate more than 7-10 days, and never got great success. I tried Tolak once, with much better success. The mode of delivery, inactive ingredients or something made a big difference, and I tolerated it almost 4 weeks. 1X a day app and something about it makes side effects milder, yet results better. I ended up getting much better results than I ever got with Efudex. I see some people here are discouraged that they don't get inflamed as soon as they do with Efudex, but the milder reaction allowed me to stay with it much longer. I did get a severe reaction after the 3rd week, but excellent results. Will use again....no more Efudex for me."

• Edano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "Was told to use efudex 5% 2x's/day for 2 or 3 weeks, but pain would not let me do that. Used it for only 4 days and had a serious reaction to it. Had raised redness over 3/4 of my face, like welts. Had stinging and pain at 4 days & Dr. said that 4 days was enough. Unusually fast reaction. Now I want to see how long it will take to get back to normal. Today is day 5. My sister & bro in law have also used it with good results."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2023

Tolak (fluorouracil) "I successfully completed the 4 weeks on Tolak cream. My face became extremely unsightly, but I just dealt with it by staying inside. My upper lip was the worst and the only area that caused pain. It was definitely tolerable but extremely unsightly. I'm now in the healing phase and my results are AMAZING! I'm disabled and spend a lot of time inside. I will say...this would be difficult if you have to engage with the public."

• Conce...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

Efudex (fluorouracil) "Was prescribed Efudix by the NHS to treat incorrectly diagnosed psoriasis (they thought it was Actinic Keratosis because I have AC on arms/hands from growing up in a hot country) on my ankle. Used the cream for 6 weeks roughly in 2018 and stopped using the cream after the 6 weeks. Developed a case of Discoid Eczema which originated from the psoriasis spot and I've had now for a year. Have to apply Epimax cream twice a day to contain the eczema which is incredibly/unbearably itchy and causes red welts to appear on my legs below and on the knees. If you have a choice I would not use Efudix."

• afool...
• January 15, 2018

Carac (fluorouracil) "I wish I had done my homework before using this medicine. I feel my dermatologist withheld the following key info from me: 1) Carac is topical chemotherapy 2) AK has less than 10% chance of ever becoming squamous cell cancer 3) Death from squamous cell cancer is extremely rare Had I known those 3 things, I would have never used Carac. I had a terrible reaction from Carac. On Day 3, I became violently ill with vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and chills. I called the derm and she said to stop using it until my symptoms subsided and then start again. I stopped for 3 days and then resumed. All of the side effects came roaring back. A year later, I still suffer from chronic diarrhea. This medication is way over-prescribed."

• Jadef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2015

"I'm into week three of of six of effudex all over my chest after living in the tropics for 45 years. I have been told to use it on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening before bed. By Saturday it is so painful and itchy, but quietens down Sunday, Monday until I have to start again. I can't imagine what it must be like using it twice a day for 6 weeks. I'm using Aloe Vera in the mornings which calms the itching. Now I am getting scabs and dry skin and having a hard time keeping my fingers away from picking at it. Last time I used it daily on a patch on my face and was left with a red patch for nearly two years. I'm wondering whether some of you are suffering unnecessarily from effudex being over prescribed. I live in the UK and don't have to pay much"

• Pip
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2021

Efudex (fluorouracil) "After my 11th basal cell carcinoma, my dermatologist found some actinic keratosis on my nose and above my upper lip. I have been using fluorouracil for seven days. Today is the first day the redness has really appeared, especially above my upper lip. My skin is starting to itch and burn, mild right now. I am supposed to apply once daily for two weeks, then take 2 to 3 weeks off, and apply again daily for two weeks. I had one basal cell carcinoma on my lower leg two years ago. I used the Aldara cream on that, and did not like it at all. I had systemic side effects and burning, painful skin for 23 weeks. I am hoping this experience with fluorouracil will be better."