Fluorouracil topical User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• MrTommy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2014

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "My doctor found what he thought might be burgeoning skin cancer on my bald head. First time, he 'burned' them off with whatever he sprayed on my head. Next visit (way later on) he said the spots hadn't gone away. He prescribed "Carac" (fluorouracil) if I could afford it. Over $400/tube! But my insurance paid up to the $20 I had to pay, so I went for it. Four weeks of dabbing this stuff on my head, and the pre-cancerous spots are gone. During the treatment my head got all scabby and red. Had to buy some cheapo pillow cases because I would end up bleeding on them at night. I guess the scabs got rubbed off as I tossed and turned. Anyway, I'm totally satisfied with the outcome and would recommend this cream to anyone who can afford it."

• War...
• March 20, 2015

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Skin Cancer "Used years ago my arms and it was successful for a time, after healing. But arms look like they once did. Red hair and freckles growing up in az before sunblock was used!! Now using on forehead. It's miserable I hope it works. All I can say is take it one day at at time. Keep battling."

• Carole...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 14, 2014

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Keratosis "Flouroracil 5% used on lower lip vermillion border for over a year. Two biopsies confirmed actinic keratosis. After application once a day for 4 days, lip would swell and ulcerate, then heal over 5 days.....lesion would return on day 6. Repeated this over and over for one year. Now going to participate in a study for Solaraze Gel. Will report findings in three months."

• This...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2018

Carac (fluorouracil) for Keratosis "I have used this cream 3 times and will use it a 4th this winter. I'm 53 and have light hair and blue eyes so as you can imagine I have light skin. I have had keratosis pop up on my face a few times and several brown spots over the years. This cream has done an AMAZING JOB !!! I use it once a week, for 7 days. My face looked terrible on day 10-21 because it turned red, then all the spots you don't see, turn brown in addition to ALL the other brown spots disappear. I've had no side effects other than you look embarrassing and people ask what happen to you? But the end result is worth it"

• Hapef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2019

For Skin Cancer "I was advised to use this on my face, neck chest area, legs and arms. I started on my neck and chest area. Applied twice a day for 5 to 7 days. I was able to do 5 days but not able to touch the area any longer. On day 6 the entire area looked like I had a very very bad chemical burn and the pain was unbelievable. I’m tough and have been through a lot surgeries. I can deal with pain. But this pain was beyond anything I ever experienced before. I tried using an Aquaphor spray to help. It felt like a blow torch was being used on me. After the initial pain of application I did not notice any relief. Not gonna use it anymore. The only relief I am getting, I’m on day 11 since first use, is warm vasoline, heating it up with my hairdryer makes it a lot easier to apply painlessly. I will not be using it on any other part of my body. And I wish I had found this sight prior too using because I would not have used it."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2011

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Skin Cancer "Efudex successfully combated skin abnormalities that my doctor had cancer concerns about. I used Efudex for ten days and then stopped because of blistering; they were small, but covered my face. It's been almost two months after my treatment and I still have an unsightly, coarse rash. The steriod cream I used five days afterwards eased the appearance of the rash, but because of concerns over skin thinning, I could not continue with the cream."

• Panam...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 19, 2015

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I have been using Carac for over 10 years. After reading the recent comments I was in SHOCK on the prescribed treatment cycles and application. Carac cream has removed many points of Keratosis on my face. Also, it has eliminated several Basal Cell Carcinoma. What works best for me, from experience is, On Keratosis, 2 to 3 times a week,before bedtime, on specific areas. For BCC, a regiment of daily for 5 days ONLY, 10 to 15 days without (allows time for skin recovery) and proceed as needed, bedtime. All under recommendation from one of nations top dermatologist. The whole face for 14-18 days, that is completely unheard of. I hope this helps."

• John
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2018

For Keratosis "I used Fluorouracil for 2 weeks twice a day (morning and night) over most of the face. I just put a drop on 4 points of the face then rubbed it in. I cover a few area's that gave me trouble and a few dark liver spots. I almost stopped because I started to look pretty bad with sores and red blotches. I looked here for answers but could not find anything. After two weeks I stopped and started using nothing but good dermatology soap and Luberderm. That was 2 weeks ago. I look much better than I did before starting the treatment. Now at 6 weeks, I'm very pleased. Don't get scared and don't stop! Two weeks twice a day. You'll like the results. Good luck!"

• Tmano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "I used fu-5 cream on my face recently for sun damaged skin. I had several bad sunburns 40 years ago in my teens. This product has wiped out most of that old damage! Scaly, red and/or brown spots are about 90 percent gone. Applied twice a day for 2 weeks (28 applications). Here's how it goes: Wash face, dry, and apply a thin layer. Nothing happens the first few days. Days 4 - 7 dark spots and redness should appear only on the damaged areas. Beware, days 8 to 14 can be holy Hell with stinging, soreness, inflamed red raw skin...looked like a horror movie monster. Took Aleve and used pure aloe vera gel for relief. Don't use ANY other lotions and do stay out of the sun that second week. Third week healing starts but expect lots of peeling and crazy itching (Neosporin helps). Week 4 WOW the new improved skin shows...just a bit of redness that will fade over time. End results were well worth the pain. I recommend only doing one side of your face at a time - makes it easier to sleep."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2013

For Keratosis "Same as everyone else...very uncomfortable and hard to look at. Dr says many people go too far by continuing application of cream after 15 days. Stop. My dermatologist prescribed a steroid cream to relieve swelling and quicken the healing process. San Diego born and raised and growing up without sunscreen, there is a lot of sun damage that will be gone. "

• Tjdh
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2017

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "I had a small spot on nose. Used this twice a date for 14 days. Spot became very red and got scabby where the precancer is on skin. After 14 days stopped treatment. Now in healing process. Using Vaseline twice day. Scabs are showing coming off on own. DON'T PEEL. AREA very red but becoming less a bit. I hear it takes a few weeks for the redness to subside. So far so good. Not too much discomfort. I did get depressed doing this though as it's my face and I didn't want you go in public."

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

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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................."

• WJC
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "I used Flouroplex about 15 years ago on my chest and face, they were both a mess for 5-6 weeks, but the treatment is worth is. I started seeing the same damage on my chest and face and my DR prescribed Efudex 5%. It works the same and when I spread it on the chest little red spots started showing, then more and more. I look like my chest has the measles. Some are large spots that swell and ooze. It is very itchy with prickly pain, now in the third week, hard to sleep. I'm going to stop at the weeks end for a full 4 weeks. I also treated some specific spots on the side of my face but it just got very red, turned blackish, I stopped that at 3 weeks and it is healing nicely with the help of vaseline. I have not had any side effects with vomiting or headaches as others have reported. Once my chest starts healing I'm going to try some additional spots on my face. It is not pleasant but what chemo treatment would be? The alternative is surgery."

• Anonymous
• February 13, 2009

Carac (fluorouracil) for Skin Cancer "I have had great success with Carac treating pre-cancerous condition on my entire face area. The results were astounding! I am currently one week from finishing treatment on both forearm areas and looks like the results will be similar."

• Julie...
• October 17, 2016

Carac (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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."

• Blubau
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 8, 2019

For Keratosis "My Derm Dr prescribed fluorouracil 5 years ago to use on a dark skin spot I was worried about. Used once a day for three weeks prior to anything happening. I increased the area to my entire cheek. After three weeks the skin started turning red and I continued to use until it started to blister. I stopped using it, but it continued to progress and the area became one big bloody mess like a skinned knee. In the end a month later the scab is gone and the skin was fresh and new. Five years later I started using again and this time one side of my face. Interestingly the previously treated area is unaffected and new areas all scabbed over. I'm into my 4th round on this side of my face and now most of the unaffected area is getting red and starting to dig out more damaged cells. I'm getting good at knowing when to stop applying and when the first scab appears I stop and the cream continues to peel the entire area. I look like a I can off a motorcycle now, but know once it heals it will look great"

• Benji
• December 16, 2019

For Keratosis "Fluorouracil does what it says it destroys abnormal cells by making to top layer of the skin peel eventually. The treatment will sometimes make you look very red and sometimes the skin oozes (be careful around the eyes that skin is fragile). My recovery after stopping the two-week application was pretty swift. I used Aquaphor and Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50. Probably doing it just before Thanksgiving if you plan to have holiday pics is not the best time, however as of Dec 15th my face looks almost normal again and the area is smooth wiping out the precancerous cells. It is amazing one day you just look normal again, before you can be a bit apprehensive wondering if it will ever heal. I did not follow my dermatologist orders exactly and skipped some of the second daily doses over two weeks Still worked fine, I stopped at day 14. This treatment works, do take care of the area after for quick recovery."

• Sunse...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Keratosis "Dermatologist prescribed efudex for keratosis 1 week on and 3 weeks off x 4 to treat my face but said not to apply on chin. After a few days freckles appeared and by day 7 today my skin feels quite irritated, itchy and a slight sting - especially the sides of my nose. One spot above my eyebrow has bled slightly last night and tonight after washing my face. My dermatologist said I could continue to wear foundation but to wait 15 mins after applying cream."

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

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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 ."

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

For Actinic Keratosis "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?"

• afoben
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2012

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Keratosis "Be careful not to exceed time period recommended otherwise there will be extreme redness and pain. On the whole it seems to work but I have still got red skin after a few days without using it. Doctor recommended following with Eumovate but I'm not too happy with results."

• marlin
• May 1, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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."

• Joe
• April 18, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "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!"

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

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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."

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

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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."