Fluorouracil topical User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Deb
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2018

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Skin Cancer "I was prescribed efudex for squamous carcinoma. Was told to do both arms from elbow to fingers. One at a time of course. I'm just over three weeks of using it and it has not worked at all. Doctor can't understand why."

• Rackoon
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2016

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Basal Cell Carcinoma "I have basil carcinoma of my face cheeks and face had lumps. I have Scottish skin. Started Efidux treatment and after day 3 I became violently ill. For 10 days I couldn't hold any food down what ever. Both exit body points were hammered with oozing duck poo like stuff I have never experienced before. Bloated stomach, gas build up and always on the toilet. After day 10 the systems eased and I started to hold some food down. Currently on day 16 of treatment an day face looks like an iron has been applied to both FACE CHEEKS. Very painful and still feel unwell. This better work because I have researched this product before commencing and there were no side affects listed like I have had. Met another patient of efidex with similar side effects."

• Itchy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Basal Cell Carcinoma "I'm 69 and using Efudex for the second time. Just as in 2008, I have been recommended for 21 days of Efudex cream, 2 applications per day, followed by 21 days of twice a day applications of Desonide 0.05%. I am applying the cream broadly on my forehead back to my receded hairline, my sideburn area and my nose. After the first week most areas turned blotchy red and grew increasingly sore and itchy. I have experienced mild stomach upset and my face feels hot. It started to effect my ability to sleep around day 16. Almost packed it in on day 19 but read these posts and decided to persevere for 3 more days. It worked very well back in 2008 and I'm looking forward to the ordeal ending and getting similarly good results."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2015

Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) for Skin Cancer "Like many other Topical creams for skin cancer, It has a burning effect. Dryness then flaking on the area's applied. It helps when the flaking has stopped and your skin has had time to repair the dead drying and sometimes a bit of bleeding in my cases. but seems to get rid of the skin cancer. So for about a week you will look a little scally best used before or after any family photo's."

• Snigel
• October 22, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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"

• debar...
• December 24, 2015

For Actinic Keratosis "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 ."

• Lynn
• October 24, 2019

For Keratosis "I started on this cream and used it 8 days on my chest. Then I started breaking out in a rash and itching terribly all over my body. My eye got irritated and swelled up. I stopped using it on 8th day was suppose use for two weeks. It's 8 weeks now since I used it and I'm still itching and have new break outs daily. My doctor called in a steroid cream and the side effects on it was rash and itching so I don't know if this new rash is from that medicine or the Flourouracil cream... I hope someone reads these reviews before using this.."

• Dee
• March 12, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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."

• JBano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2018

For Keratosis "This is my second application in 5 years. The first time was tough with the redness, itchiness, peeling. It was worth it to see how much potential cancer spots came to the surface and eventually flaked away. Really what is 30 days or so of some suffering to potentially save your life. It can be costly but I got the generic cream."

• RedNose
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2018

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Basal Cell Carcinoma "Just got done using this for a superficial Basal Cell on my nose. Week 1 wasn't bad, just a little redness and irritation at the end. By the end of week 2, it was red and very itchy. I can't say it was ever very "painful", just uncomfortable and irritated. It has felt like something crawling across my face/nose since end of week 2, and itchy. Lots of trouble getting to sleep because of this. 2 weeks once a day, 3 weeks twice a day. It's still red and very itchy and I'm told will be for another week or two. Now I wait for follow-up."

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

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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."

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

Tolak (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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."

• sunskin
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2015

For Skin Cancer "I'm a 57 year old former sun worshipper. I'm 2 1/2 weeks into 4 weeks of treating squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma on my legs, and actinic keratosis on my face, applying fluorouracil twice per day. I'm covering the spots on my legs with micropore tape. After the fluoroucil has been on my face for 45 minutes, I cover my face with Aquaphor to ease the crusting and dryness. I'm anxious to see the end result. Regarding the cost...USE THOSE FREE PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNT MEDICINE CARDS! And the cost can be different with each card. "

• Berma
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2023

Tolak (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "My first 3 days there was little evidence of use. I've now applied for 12 straight days and I'm very red and blotchy, with some signs of flakiness. I've been living with a burning sensation on my face but it was so bad last night I couldn't sleep. I'm struggling to make 14 nights but hope my dermatologist says I don't have to keep applying... I don't think I can keep going!"

• Luke
• November 1, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "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) for Actinic Keratosis "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."

• AJano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2019

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "TIP: I highly recommend using Neosporin and Cetaphil moisturizer during recovery days, it helped a lot with healing and irritation. I have 5-6 pre-cancerous lesions on my face. My doctor recommended this cream. She prescribed using it on my forehead to start. Twice a week at night for 8 weeks. This allows the skin to recover in between. I have found it to be irritating to my whole forehead, drys out your skin which becomes itchy, red and scaly and a little swollen. The morning after application is the worst with it becoming very irritated. It is a little uncomfortable, but not unbearable. I am in week 3 and now the skin around my eyes is swollen and so its not pretty, but by day 2 your skin is recovering but still scaly and red. I can use makeup to cover if I need to go out. I'll keep you posted on my progress."

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

Carac (fluorouracil) for Actinic Keratosis "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."

• Benne...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 26, 2022

Efudex (fluorouracil) for Skin Cancer "Have attempted this 4 times now and always get a systemic reaction immediately. This made me so ill even though I was only using a small amount for very small area on face. Sickness, flu like symptoms, pounding headache, fever, hair loss and bed bound. I usually make it to day 18. Dermatologist has advised me to stop using this because of the severe systemic reaction. I can put up with the redness and blistering no problem. I would much rather have surgical excision than this cream. For Acintic Keratosis I just have cryosurgery. Tried Solareze recently for three months but had no localised reaction , it just made me wheezy."

• onein...
• November 26, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

• AGano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2019

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Had a few Basel-cell lesions on face removed by freezing and MOH's surgery in my early sixties. At age 67 topical Fluorouracil was prescribed by dermatologist due to wide-area precancerous facial lesions that I was not even aware existed. Applied daily over most areas of face for twelve days - doctor prescribed two weeks but skin ulcerated so badly I had to stop. Red spots then bled and whole face looked so bad I didn’t want to leave the house! After another week or so the skin scabbed over and within another week or two I started to look presentable. About six weeks or so after I started treatment my face looked great. The doctor was pleased and could find no pre-cancerous areas. Moral of the story is that after six decades of sun exposure my skin had been irradiated badly and I had no idea that basal cell cancer was about to erupt everywhere. I recommend to apply over portions of face instead of trying to do the whole job at one time. Medication is a miracle drug!"

• bekku
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 14, 2013

For Keratosis "I have used this product for a couple of years. My regimen is to use it for 4-6 weeks, then give my skin a break. I repeat the process about every 3 months. It took me a long time to damage my skin in the sun, I don't expect it to clear up over night."

• Retired
• March 27, 2015

Carac (fluorouracil) for Keratosis "Keratosis on my scalp is an ongoing problem...Carac proved to be a great treatment to remove these unsightly pre-cancerous growths...On it for a two week treatment period...No pain, just some small patches of redness...The only problem I have with this medicine is the outrageous cost for a tiny tube. Be certain to wash hands immediately if you apply it that way, or even better use a cue tip."

• All...
• January 17, 2018

For Keratosis "Dr. told me about fluorouracil. She also showed me photos of people, this helped me mentally. I completed my 14 days. I had bright red areas on face, spots on face & chest. Crusty skin spots that cracked, everything hurt. My chest was worst with blistering & drainage. Worst thing happen- somehow I got cream on my lip. I believe it came from the pillow. My lip blistered & was swelled. I found using Vit.E liquid was helpful in relief for lip. I am using A&D on red area, crusty spots & chest. Feels great. I covered my pillow w/ silky pj top. This really helps me sleep better. What gave me encouragement was the other remarks & knowing the "norm""

• Anonymous
• July 31, 2020

For Keratosis "1st time I used efudex was 10 years ago and it was very effective but oh so painful. Years later while at the derm. I was told of a new and better was to treat skin cancers. Using Efudex in combination with vitamin D will give you better results than Efudex by itself. Treatment is used for 5-7 days only and there is NO PAIN!!"