Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma User Reviews

• LTOV
• January 3, 2015

Efudex (fluorouracil) "This is my second time around. I am on Day 10 of a 14-day regime; then steroid cream for another 14 days. I am in excuciating pain and I look horrific. I know it's a good thing but it is so painful. I wanted to write here to help encourage others; I found this site because I needed encouragement. I use a dish towel with fringe to flap against my face and that's the only relief I get. I forget how awful I look until I catch myself in a mirror."

• Dans
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2019

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I've had surgery for basal cell over the years and had an area near my nose. I used efudex as directed. Sure, it looked horrible after treatment it was a bit lumpy like it was scarred. I thought it didn't work. The area, came back totally cancer free and the lumpy look went away. You would never know it was treated. Well worth it. I'm currently using it on my cheek and hoping for the same result. "

• Snozz
• January 31, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "Face was covered in about 7 areas after years of sun damage from working in the sun, used Efudex for 15 days applied 2 times a day till the 40mgs tube ran out , week 2 the pain was not nice but honestly go thought it it is worth it , Like having a face lift looking 10 years younger !!! Believe me it is truth . Using it on my arms now just started For any one going though a course, it really is impressive cream"

• Carol...
• May 2, 2016

Efudex (fluorouracil) "This is my third time over the past 10 years doing this treatment. I'm scheduled for 4-6 weeks treating my legs, stomach and chest areas. I like that the medication seeks out and treats damaged skin only. My stomach has only 3 small spots. However my legs and chest area that have been far more exposed to sun have a much more aggressive reaction. The pain, redness, swelling and sores are extremely painful however my history reminds me that in 3-4 weeks I will be finished and my skin will look and be much better. Skin cancer gone and baby smooth new skin. It's affordable, and a more complete overall treatment that definitely works. Stick with the plan you don't be disappointed !!"

• Boatman
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "Ten years ago I used Aldara over my whole face. 20 minutes of pain after each application and a violent reaction after 9 days. Face looked as though I had been in a bad fire and scared the kids at school. It did heal and I looked 10 years younger. I have just finished 3 weeks on Efudex and 3 weeks healing. Skin looks like the proverbial babies bottom and very happy with the results. This time I treated whole face, ears and parts of neck. Applying the Efudex was less painful than the Aldara, even a little bit soothing. Hard to sleep with sore ears. Tried all kinds of moisturisers and they caused stinging for 5-10 minutes. Used vaseline 2-3 times daily and it was by far the most satisfactory. Very pleased with the results. Also treated both arms at the same time. Used 3 tubes of Efudex on this session. Always worked outside and lots of boating. 76 years young now after this treatment."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2012

Carac (fluorouracil) "I've been using Carac off and on for over a year. I did my face for three weeks, then my chest, then my back. I am now going back over specific areas of my face. This cream is amazing. It is somewhat painful and quite unattractive visually as you are going through the treatment, but the results are worth it. My skin doesn't have rough red patches of scaly skin anymore and no more discoloration. I would definitely recommend it!"

• Rudolf
• December 20, 2019

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I was prescribed this cream to treat BCC on my nose. I had a red spot with suspected basal cell carcinoma. My dermatologist wanted me to treat my entire nose, to get any spots that hadn't emerged yet. I put on twice daily for two weeks. It took about a week for anything to happen, but then the spot turned red. Soon my entire nose turned pink. At day 14 my nose was red, with purple areas, blisters, and depressions. I had to put Vaseline on it to tolerate the pain. It felt like someone had burned my face with a hot iron. The skin was pulled taught and I was afraid of scarring. It has been 8 weeks after the application stopped. It is still a little pink. Unfortunately it did not get my spot, it is not superficial enough. The cream redness lasts longer for me than I anticipated. It was an 8 week process for me and still have a pink nose. hope it isn't permanent."

• Jules...
• July 30, 2019

"I'm an "efudex veteran," having applied the cream to different areas of my sun-damaged face four times in the last 5 years. I've found it very effective in accomplishing what it's supposed to do. The cream does sting and burn for about ten days, but I find the discomfort manageable. Those planning to use this should recognize that the affected area will be somewhat larger than the area that is treated - apparently, the med travels subdermally to neighboring tissues. Also, recognize that for at least 1-2 weeks you will look like hell - take this into account if you need to deal with the public (or closely with colleagues) as part of your work. Once you've developed a nice crust on top of your skin and it's turned brown, apply vaseline liberally - you will find that you can slide the dead cells off your skin, which is a somewhat gross yet pleasant sensation since it means you're heading to the endpoint of the treatment. Good luck!"

• Mango
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I am up to my last day of treatment, day 21. I have treated my entire face once a day with efudix and would never do it again. After the first couple of days red spots start to appear, after a week my face looked like a severe case of sunburn and felt like it. The intensity of the redness increased along with constant burning. By day 12 I wad ready to give up but reminded myself I was over half way. I didn't know how I could bear to apply more efudix but perseverance and willpower has been on my side. It is a painful experience which I would only recommend as a last resort. Even today I dread putting the cream on for the last time but after that I know each day will be a slow pace of healing. I look forward to the end result and hope all the discomfort is worth it"

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

Efudex (fluorouracil) "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) "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."

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

Efudex (fluorouracil) "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."

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

"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."

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

"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!"

• Jojill
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2016

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I had a small lump removed from below my lip, and was prescribed efudex to be applied twice a day for four weeks. I have just finished that time, so I don't know how effective it has been. I had no reaction for 9 days, then my lip became very swollen and weepy, cracked in the corner. My GP suggested that I put vaseline around the spot before applying the cream, and that helped the lips considerably. I changed to paw-paw cream, which seemed to help. Now it is six days since I stopped applying the cream and I still have what looks like a large cold sore, as well as the red crustiness under my nose which started only when I stopped the efudex. I am hoping this may go soon. I am not sure whether to put anything on them or not."

• Caryn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2015

Efudex (fluorouracil) "I am just about to start treatment for superficial BCC on my hands, feet legs and nose, obviously from all I have read , I am going to do it in stages. I am having to plan this around a conference, my children's exams and prom dance!! I know that it is going to get really painful. Has anyone done their hands or feet or both at the same time? I am doing a test patch on my arms at the moment to see how skin reacts - on the advice of my doc Some guidance would be much appreciated"

• Carol...
• February 21, 2017

"Had a basal cell right under my eyelid. My dermatologist insisted I go see a Mohs surgeon. I took a doctor (Internist) in my family with me to see the surgeon. The surgeon wanted to cut. When the internist told him that there is very little tissue under my eye and I could lose my eye he said well there is always a chance. The internist said how about fluorouracil? He said NO. Of course he said no - he is a surgeon and only makes his money on cutting. The internist wrote the prescription for 0.5% fluorouracil cream. To use for 3 weeks - apply at bedtime. After 2 weeks the area was very red and oozed and swelled up. I continued for the 3 rd week. It has been 10 weeks since I stopped the cream. The basal cell is gone and the area is just a little pink."

• ShaSha
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2018

"I saw my primary care doctor and he prescribed the generic form made by TARO 5% which cost me a tiny copay. He sent me to a dermatologist who told me not to use it! He then cut out the Basil cell carcinoma on my shin bone & it took 3 months to heal. The spot was about a third of an inch & couldn't be sewn up due to the location. So then I noticed another little red burning spot on my leg & this time I decided to treat it myself with the cream. I used it twice a day for two weeks using a q tip to apply it. It's now gone. It did turn red & crusty & then healed. I showed it to my PCP & he was happy for me saying " isn't that stuff great?" Long story short, I think the dermatologist just wanted to make a buck, (or hundreds) on me. I can't recommend this cream highly enough!"

• GIHB
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

"Follow-up after 5 weeks. 5-1/2 weeks since I started the application twice a day. One area near the tip of my nose and two areas on the forehead. The crusty scab that started developing after about 2 weeks has mostly come off the forehead areas now. But not the nose. That area developed into a fairly good sized scab/crust. Evidently it had more pre-cancerous cells in the surrounding areas. Rather strange looking in such a prominent location on your face. To be honest I wouldn't be brave enough to apply it all over my face as some people have described. No telling how many areas might react to it and that's likely to look rather frightening. So far no serious unexpected side effects. Some people reported a loss of taste. A couple things do seem to taste different to me but nothing more significant. So far so good in that regard. I'll be glad when this big scab finally comes off."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2010

"I'm on the second round treating my face. I had some suspicious spots that were all removed with first treatment. I'm doing it again for maintanence and only have a few spots. I highly recommend trying this product. I'm grateful that my GP prescribed it and wonder why my dermatologist did not."

• Elle
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2021

Efudex (fluorouracil) "My partner and I started applying Efudix at the same time. Me on my nose and forehead, he on the back of his neck. We've both used it before on specific lesions and had good results. He started showing red spots within 5 days. I had to wait 10 days before anything showed up and I've taken photos of our journey together! His skin is far more reactive (skin damaged?) than mine and after 3 weeks the back of his neck is a red, sore mass with oozing parts. Time for him to stop treatment and move to recovery. I've applied Efudix to the odd BCC on his back and his skin has responded well and cleared up beautifully. I'm interested to see how the larger area of his neck will respond. Me, I'm still going. Some areas have reached erosion stage and are itchy while a couple of new red spots have just emerged. Looks like I'll be applying for another week until they scab over. Looking forward to the new skin!"

• LMano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

" I have had 2 BCCs surgically removed and have several AKs on my bald head. Derm recommended Efudex on hands, arms, shoulders, face, ears, and neck. A huge treatment area. I considered doing this in sections, but derm said just do it all at once. So I did. But, I didn't get Efudex, which was $1,000 for 40 grams ($200 after insurance). Actually, it took about 60 grams to cover these areas twice a day for 14 days. So that would have been $300 out of pocket with good insurance. Instead, there was a local compounding pharmacy that does not take insurance but they worked up a 5% 5-FU mix for $60 for every 40 grams. So, before you fill your Rx, ask your derm if any local compounding pharmacies can make it. Just finished my 14-day cycle of 5-FU, 5%, twice a day. My hands, arms, and shoulders had absolutely no reaction whatsoever even though my hands and arms have had plenty of sun exposure. I’ve read that these areas might require longer treatment times, but since I was only doing this preventatively and had no visible AKs on these areas, I wasn’t compelled to go any longer than 2 weeks. Lower chest had basically no reaction, maybe a few small little red bumps. Upper chest got pretty irritated with a few ulcerations. Never really a bother and just below the neckline so not visible."

• Gigi...
• January 18, 2017

Carac (fluorouracil) "A few months after one basal spot on my nose was removed with Mohs surgery and plastic surgery to correct the dime sized divot, my dermatologist prescribed Carac for three weeks applied once a day to my nose. I had read many reviews/experiences and dreaded starting the prescription. Thankfully I had very little reaction with only one spot that appeared like an irritated white head and that drained and disappeared after about 3 days. The rest of my nose, although a little dry, had no reaction at all. I will say my stomach was a little sensitive about an hour after I applied the lotion for a couple days so I made sure I drank plenty of water and ate something within the hour or so of applying it."