Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis User Reviews (Page 4)

• Lolita
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2020

"Stinging from application of fluorouracil, tonite was my first application. I have had AK did the Uktra lite, freezings and now this treatment. It felt like bee stings, finally subsided. I know it has to get worst before it gets better but can I apply cool cloth on face after the application to help with discomfort if I can’t tolerate it?"

• tgiv
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2023

Tolak (fluorouracil) "2014 Efudex treatment face (ex-Lifeguard, pontoon sailor, swimmer, beach) side effects were only facial itching, minor pains, nothing to write home about. 2023 Tolak (age 74 now) side effects were 95% presented, no blood in painful diarrhea but herniated disk presented w/no other suspects. Prior to 3rd-week treatment, pillows looked like a bloody crime scene, even though applications were the first thing in A.M. No more golf but walking 2 mi mostly OK as well as other exercises. Doc review of effects OK'd an early quit-date but by then could see the end of the tunnel and got all 4 weeks in. Writing this one week past treatment 'curing zone': some healing progress face, diarrhea gone, herniated disk pains vacillate, arrhythmia comes/goes, daily headache diminished, etc. Too early to judge if all the bad skin spots will peel off."

• Sue...
• March 22, 2023

Tolak (fluorouracil) "Stopped applying Tolak yesterday. Now burning and itching in affected areas. Some scabbing and very red blotches too. The burning and itching is extremely uncomfortable. I hope the results in a few weeks will be worth it."

• Bren
• March 25, 2020

"First I used this on my chest once a day for 2 weeks, after the first 10 days I had red lesions all over but I continued for the full 14 days. It itched like crazy, hurt when I washed it so that the wash cloth felt like a brillo pad, water felt like fire. After completing treatment chest cleared up. Now I am using it on my entire face on day 12 burning, itching looks awful. I have had 2 mohs surgeries on my face, 2 surgeries on my chest and one on my arm this has all been in a 7 months time. Hoping my face clears soon. I will have to have a lazer treatment on last moths surgery to help the scar out on my face and I will have to have correction surgery next to my eye from 1st moths to losen the tension of the skin. All worth it in the end."

• Prode...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 13, 2020

"I’m 76, fair haired, green eyes and very light skinned. As a kid the family spent many summers at the Jersey shore where I had serious sunburns every year. Moved to mile high Denver over 50 years ago. Did a lot of outdoor activities - golf, tennis, hiking, skiing, bicycling, etc. many times without a hat and rarely sunscreen. My first Efudex treatment to my face caused it to look like I took a face plant falling off a motorcycle. Serious scabbing and pain. Once healed my skin looked great. Freezing of spots every 6 months on arms, legs and face. Efudex started again last week. Skin is very red and sore. Not able to get much sleep due to irritation on face. This round is the most painful I’ve experienced. But, it beats the MOHS surgeries and excisions of basal and squamous cell areas I’ve had over the last several years. It’s not fun, but needs to be done. I strongly urge kids, grandkids, friends and family to take appropriate procedures to protect their skin from the sun."

• Aragon
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2020

"56 year old female. Lots of sun damage. Prescribed for 14 days twice a day. I am on day 10. I applied it on my upper lip and hairline. I was terrified after seeing the pictures on the internet. I'm happy that I am only doing a couple patches. I would not tolerate my entire face at once to this treatment. Section it off. Spots above my lip turned bright red, then brown and then crusted. It's tolerable. Don't panic."

• Aussi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2017

"The chemist (pharmacist) suggested the generic brand for Efudix which for me is APOC - 5FU (fluorouracil 5% w/w cream). I have been applying the cream twice a day for the last week & my face looks unsightly as the cream has brought out all the pre cancerous AK - my face is very red & a little sore, but not unbearably so. It is also itchy - I have three weeks to go for the treatment, so hopefully this treatment will negate me having to go to the next step of biopsy then removal by surgery if it does then I will consider it a great success. Best wishes to all other AK sufferers"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2022

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I am using efudex on my chest I thought I had 5/6 spots diagnosed but after told to use efudex cream again my chest is now covered in far more than I thought, they are very itchy red spots. It drives me crazy at night but I’m determined to stick it out. I’m almost at the end of my twice a day treatment for 3 weeks. I can see they are drying up now too. I’ve used the cream once before when I had just one or two keratosis so I know it works. Don’t be put off how awful it looks .If it goes very red and itchy that shows it’s working just be patient. It should be worth it."

• Rfisc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 3, 2024

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I have done 3 rounds of Efudex over the past 20 years, primarily for Actinic Keratosis and 'sun damage' on my face. I just completed my most recent treatment. It works great, but it is absolute torture. I have never been able to get past 14 days of twice a day application on my face. The folds around my nose and mouth get 'fried', and it becomes so painful that I can't open my mouth very wide after about 8 days. By the ninth or tenth day, I can't go to work and by day 12, I can't sleep. I have found that Ibuprofen and Tylenol every 8 hours is helpful. While taking a shower, my face temporarily feels good, but 5 minutes after the shower, my face throbs and feels absolutely like it is on fire. Putting the Efudex on at that point provides temporary relief. I use Eucerin Original Healing Cream, which I keep in the refrigerator. Applying the ice-cold Eucerin on my face about 2-3 hours after the Efudex feels like heaven."

• Chris...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2021

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I was prescribed Efudex cream for lip actinic keratosis to be applied once a day and nothing could have prepared me for the forthcoming experience I was about to endure!! The cream itself easy to use and as expected on day 7 my lip reacted...a huge blister from one end to the other and day 9 it started to split weep and crust over in rotation and still going through that now on day 35 I stopped the cream day 28!! Eating has been a nightmare..can’t bite into anything and living on soft foods...bonus being I’ve lost 10lb in weight"

• Miloo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2017

"I am 59, redhead, green eyes. Live in AZ. Not a sunbather. Under dermatologist directions used 5% cream for 10 days on forehead and chest. Very painful. Developed severe allergic reaction with swelling in face, lips, throat, fever, chills. Stopped treatment and narrowly avoided hospital. Still experiencing pain. Be careful!"

• Norfolk
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2021

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I'm using Efudex on my forehead - the second time that I have been asked to treat this area for AK - although previously I was prescribed a stronger lotion that had a more sudden reaction. Anyway I am now in week 3. My forehead feels very tight and hot (Some discomfort sleeping) & yes it feels sore and looks awful with very red blotches. What is surprising is the patches being worked on are lower on my forehead than I anticipated - I had felt the sun damage areas higher up on a receding hairline but not these just above and to the sides of my eyebrows. Yes, it is painful and looks horrid (but shows that it's working) but I've invested in a flat cap to hide at least some of the horrors. I also volunteer at a Cancer charity so know that staff and probably customers too, will be understanding whilst treatment is ongoing. I encourage everyone to try to keep going and to stay the course, but of course to speak with your GP or the skin clinic if you are finding it v hard. Take care folks!"

• SkinC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2017

Tolak (fluorouracil) "Used it for 4 days and no results whatsoever. Typical 5% Fluorouracil Cremes show at least redness. Tolak has shown none. More so, the formulation of it is horrible in that there are little white clumps Right out of the tube that make application difficult. The manufacturer offers hugely discounted coupons. You're better off buying the generic for better results."

• Aussi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2021

Efudex (fluorouracil) "Used Efudix full face treatment for AK and Bowens disease. Twice daily for three weeks. I was one who suffered severe reaction. From week two I suffered intolerable pain for three weeks. My face was a total mess of raw flesh. Sleeping impossible. Pillow and sheets stained with body fluids seeping from face. Sent me into a depression for 3 months. Worst experience of my life. Having said that the results were fantastic. Baby smooth blemish free skin [age70]. I am glad I perserved BUT I recommend the following. Do not do the whole face at once. Break it up into halves which reduces pain and makes sleeping easier, That pillow really hurts. Do not get it in eyes nose mouth genitals etc as believe me you will suffer! Put only thin film on as thats all you need. If Doctor states used for three weeks but you start to ulcer and erode at two weeks then stop because your done, don't extend the agony.Mine is the worst case scenerio. You experience may vary. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2016

"On day 17 of 25 day Efudex fluorouracil 5% cream treatment on entire face, once a day, in the morning. Redness started on day 5 and now I am very red, face feels tight and dry. Some slight itchiness but not too uncomfortable. Bottom lip feels chapped. Face looks awful. Use cortisone cream at night. Fair skin, never tan, only sunburn."

• Jim
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2022

Efudex (fluorouracil) "As expected this treatment is be Horrendous .Week 1 was not too bad Week 2 was extremely difficult, lack of sleep etc. Week 3 Truly awful ! Extreme pain, care must be taken when showering, I used lukewarm water on my face, I found this helped but then the skin went tight .After applying Efudix, I waited an hour or so before applying a moisturiser ( Nivea for men sensitive alcohol free) Sleep is extremely difficult due to the terrible itch - scratch - itch ! Week 4 .I had to stop using Efudix ! swollen face, half closed eyes ,however it has definitely worked with blistering ,weeping and peeling beginning. Because of the swelling around my eyes, I rang my Doc and we agreed to cease any further application as the Efudix has done the job! I am now experiencing bouts of severe itching - tried all sorts of lotions and potions but alas no relief, Nivea seems to give a little relief . I've read you often worse when you stop using Efudix and it's true!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2022

Tolak (fluorouracil) "I was having dry spots on my face that didn’t go away with any amount of cream/treatment. My dermatologist prescribed Tolak…2 weeks use applying a thin layer to entire face at night. I have just completed my 2 weeks. Areas on my face and forehead show up red, blotchy and are beginning to scab up. I feel it is working. Plan to do it again in about 6 months."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2023

Tolak (fluorouracil) "On day 12 off applying Tolak on my nose once daily. It took a few days for the redness and swelling to appear but then BAM! Much better experience with this cream than others I tried. On day 7 I started to experience mild headaches and nausea but they are bearable. The burning and itching is also tolerable - nose is starting to crust over. Hopefully will leave good results and the nausea and headaches stay at a minimum."

• older...
• April 12, 2020

"I've been using fluorouracil 5 for three weeks now, in two places on my head. It seems to be having the desired effect on my scalp, but unfortunately it acts like superglue on my hair. Shampoo doesn't make much of a dent in it. Does anyone know what you can use on your hair to wash out the fluorouracil without damaging the hair too much?"

• NotFo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2016

"I was prescribed fluouroucil for actinic keratosis, used it on my face, was told any redness, etc. would be temporary. That was four years ago. I'm permanently scarred w/ a few pock marks, particularly around the mouth. My face skin is now so much more sensitive than it used to be. Below my chin also gets red super easy, like if I just rub my hand across that area once or twice. (I later read a dermatologist say that he recommends excluding the chin area from treatment.) The one actinic keratosis on my nose had been removed and this was a prophylactic use. I'm very sorry I used this on my whole face. As far as being effective, I can't really say, because I'd be speculating as to if I would have gotten more or not."

• 1st...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2022

"62 yr. old male.This did work, but beware, for "most" using this RX is very tough physically and is also mentally challenging. I had to treat my whole face and after approx. days 5-6 my face began to get very red & tight, sores appeared all over, SEVERELY itch and started looking quite horrendous-which got progressively worse looking every day there after. I missed 3 weeks of work as I did not want to be seen/stared at by others as it's next to impossible to hide your face. The dermatologist did not say much, other than how to apply it.....I now know why!! The severe non-stop itching was the worse part for "me". Nothing I was told to use (anti-itch cream and Benadryl) gave me much relief. Sleep became hard to get (even though I was exhausted), felt nauseous at times, irritable, and loss of appetite. Back in my day, a sunburn was just a sunburn. You stayed out of the sun a day or two and then we'd be right back outside in the sun! I pray I never have to use this again!!!"

• Stu
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2022

"5% cream on about 10 square inches on bald head (69 yo m) for 2x/day for 4 weeks for widespread actinic keratosis. One more day to go, then heal and see the doctor for follow up. Was expecting a horror show based on other comments here. At no time did it feel like anything more than a "hot itch", and even that was no worse than how a mild sunburn feels. Never interfered with sleep. Spots got quite red, scabbed up but are now just red spots. Marinated skin when I got up and after dinner so it would not be so gloppy when going to bed."

• Bret...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2022

"My prescribed treatment was a 5 day treatment for a compounded cream that included 0.005% calcipotriene with the 5% flourouracil. My face looked like I had fallen asleep in a tanning booth. Sunburn appearance beginning day 3 of 5. After completing the 5 day regime 3 days later my face looked like I had a tan, but it was 2-3 layers of dead skin. The dead skin was thick, hard, and would stubbornly come off over 10 days. The skin around my mouth & the crease of my nose would split & weep. Now at day 10 of post treatment recovery. It is too soon to judge effectiveness. This is a painful, prolonged treatment. I believe there are other treatment options (such as blue light treatment) which are effective, less destructive to the overall skin, less painful, & shorter patient recovery. If not offered, ASK the physician if these would work for you before signing up for the fluorouracil cream treatment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2020

"I live in Hawaii and all the sun caught up with me. Since I'm on quarantine I decided this is the best time to deal with this. My dermatologist prescribed fluorouracil to be applied twice a day. I've actually been putting it on once in the morning, once after I work out/shower and then at night before bed. I checked in with my dermatologist and she said stick to the twice a day. I welcome that change as it's starting to burn and sting. At first it was just irritating - the cream felt heavy and sticky on my face but now it burns. I'm only in one week, I guess it gets worse before it gets better. Ugh."

• Momma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2018

"I have been using 5 FU for 3 weeks now once a day. I haven't had that bad of a reaction YET. The SCC spot on the side of nose did start reacting right away, so have a lot of other spots on my nose, and a few other spots on my face as well. Showing me yes I have done a lot of damage all my days enjoying the outdoors without sunscreen. I have 9 more weeks to go uggg. Has anyone else used this for 12 weeks once a day? Am I going to have a long 2 months of pain ahead of me? Or since I'm using it once a day maybe the reactions wont be as severe."