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Picato User Reviews & Ratings

Picato has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 20 reviews on Drugs.com. 47% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 41% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Picato

  • Phil
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 13, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "I was very fortunate with my use of Picato. I have a site on my left cheek that I have to pay very close attention to because I had a squamous cell carcinoma removed from there in 2006. It will get dry at the sight of the surgery and I am always concerned that there will be a return of the cancer there. In the past I was prescribed Fluorouracil for the two week treatment. My skin always has a more severe reaction to that treatment. I applied the Picato to the area, it is about three square inches, for the three days. Day one was like a mild sunburn. Day two there was a little more burning and some mild swelling under the eye. Day three was just slightly worse than day two with the same symptoms. After day four there was just dry peeling with no pain. One week later and all of the dry skin has peeled away and the sight looks the best it has in years. I feel bad for the people who had a bad reaction to it but my experience was much better than I expected."

10 / 10
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27 Report
  • Leann...
  • March 23, 2016

For Actinic Keratosis "I have now finished my second picato treatment for ak. I did the first about 8 months ago. While the process is quite painful and very unsightly for a good 29/24 days, I have been very pleased with not only the results of removing the AK sites but helped my entire face to look smoother, more evenly pigmented with fewer fine lines and weinkles. I did use coconut oil two days after the 3 day topical treatment. I had severe flsking, cracking, a few blisters and couldn't open my mouth to eat with the pain. The doctor did prescribe me s lotion to promote healing after the procedure but insurance wouldn't cover and it would cost $75. I stuck with the coconut oil. more info is needed for patients after treatment"

9 / 10
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40 Report
  • Joano
  • January 15, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "After rinsing the Picvato gel off my face in the afternoon (6 hours each day x3 days of treatment) I applied vitamin e. I also drank 2 plus liters of water to help with keeping my skin moisturized. (I waited for 3 rainy/cold days in a row to start my treatment.) I took Advil immediately after applying each day. I took Benadryl at night to help me to sleep. I feel like this is the best treatment for me."

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15 Report
  • Amy
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 6, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "Picato literally made my AK worse. I started with just a small red, scaly patch and maybe 3 or 4 bumps. First of all, using the picato was awful. It chemically burned my face so bad I looked like I had road rash on my face. After healing from the damage picato caused, I now have a very dark patch of what appears to be damaged skin with several more and larger bumps. Again, this is on my face! I don't think doctors should have patients use this on their face."

1 / 10
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14 Report
  • Shane
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 3, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "This is by far the worst medication ever! I used this medication on my face and it’s been 10 months and I still have giant dark marks of where I used it!! I have had 3 laser treatments and my face is still disgusting! This is the worst medication ever and I advise no one to ever use this ever! I may be permanently scarred! This is so horrible and I can’t believe anyone would ever prescribe this or how this is still on the market! I dread every day waking up and seeing the damage it did to my face!"

1 / 10
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11 Report

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  • crawCT
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 19, 2018

For Actinic Keratosis "This drug cost $841.24 for 3 little tubes of medicine with a very small amount of Picato in each tube. I applied it on my forehead as directed for 3 days, the infected area turned red, scabbed over and healed nicely. Approximately 1 month later my condition started to reappear and several months later I am in the same condition that I looked prior to my using this drug. It did nothing for me."

1 / 10
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14 Report
  • Patty...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 1, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "Started burning within 30 minutes. My cheeks were red as if severely sunburned. The burning subsided after 3 hours. My cheeks stayed red. The next morning my face was swelled up. Three days later there are still red blotches all over my face. The skin is extremely dry and cracky. I pray my skin will recover its softness at some point. Needless to say, I did not apply on Day 2."

2 / 10
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9 Report
  • From...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 1, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "This is my 3rd experience using the 0.015% gel on some diffuse AK around my forehead, sides of face and are just below the nose. I am on day 3 and just applied my last dose after dinner. I take ibuprofen just before each dose is applied but it doesn’t seem to completely help with the pain and burning that starts at about 15 minutes and lasts for about 9 hours. The day after the first dose, I get lots of crusty skin from serous fluid being released. It actually feels better after a morning shower with a very mild face cleaner. I apply either Vaseline or Cerave (I think Auquafor would also work) to keep the skin from getting dry and tight. The worst pain and burning is in the hours just after application. Taking a walk in the cold after dark provides some relief. I know my skin looks frightening right now and will for at least 3 more days but I know from past experience, the crustiness will go away and I can at least camouflage with makeup until the redness goes away."

8 / 10
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8 Report
  • I...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 10, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "It’s been 10 months after using picato on my face. I still have post inflammatory hyperpigmentation that won’t fade. I tried hydroquinone, I tried 3 laser treatments among other bleaching creams. Nothing has worked! I still have a gigantic dark blemish where this was used 10 months ago! I don’t know what else to do."

1 / 10
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7 Report
  • Camille
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 18, 2018

For Actinic Keratosis "I was prescribed Picato .O15, 3days, twice a day approx one month after a small cancerous eruption on on my nose was removed. It is two months later and my nose is still beat red. My dermatologist says it takes awhile for the redness to go away. I went to a second dermatologist and he stated Laser should be used. I went to a 3rd dermatologist approx 3 days ago and she prescribed a cream twice a day and another cream at night. I go back to her in 2 weeks. ."

1 / 10
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9 Report
  • Fgayle
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 22, 2018

For Keratosis "After using this treatment over 2 months ago, the places on my face (cheek and nose) are still red. It caused huge blistering, pain, and looked like the worst sunburn you can imagine. Doctor says the redness will go away."

1 / 10
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8 Report
  • LynnLou
  • March 15, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "It’s been 4 months since I used Picato gel on my entire face. (I have 6 areas of AK to be treated) I still have redness and my skin has completely changed. It’s very dry and rough. My face used to be really oily. I exfoliate once or twice a week and have been using Beautycounter products for 3 months without any change. Another thing I’ve noticed, is small acne like whiteheads where the redness is the most noticeable. (Forehead, nose, chin) Has anyone else experienced this? Will it ever get better? :-("

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5 Report
  • The...
  • May 1, 2020

For Keratosis "I used Picato 150 micro grams 4 times on my ears over a period of 5 months I have had a problem for nearly 6 years, 3 biopsy 3 freeze treatments 7 tubes of efidix cream the only thing that worked was Picato cream. Sorry to say it has been removed from the UK market, I think one more dose would have cured me completely. I am waiting for a referral to my local hospital to see what they recommend. Please bring the cream back as I have to keep out of the sun and take 25mg vitamin D. I am a UK citizen."

10 / 10
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4 Report
  • Coast...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 8, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "I used pecato first dose yesterday afternoon. I felt nothing and saw nothing until I went to bed. It became very sore, tight, and red. I was able to have a restless sleep. It did not completely keep me up. This morning the whole area was covered in blisters, but no pain. I reapplied this afternoon on a smaller area. I was afraid to put on the whole area since it was so blistered. It's Sunday so I can't ask for suggestions from dermatologist. Next time I will make sure I take my dosage during the week in case I need help from my doctor"

4 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 1, 2018

For Actinic Keratosis "I started picato gel day after Christmas the 26th because I'm off work till Jan 2nd tuesday. The doctor administer on my nose 12/26. It was a bit red hours later and I rinsed off after 8 hrs. It is burning but not that bad. On day two I went back and had doctor administer on nose again. I was too scared to put on myself for fear of getting in my eyes. The doctor said don't put on if day three if too irritated. Well second night was completely different! Even though was put on my nose it got very, very red and SORE to left of nose also. I have NEVER EVER seen skin as RED and irritated EVER. It was put on for 2 and half hours 3rd day only. It get more RED AND SORE as time goes on AFTER the 3 days! Today is Monday - New Years day. It' s better from applying vaseline, neoposorin,"

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5 Report
  • Susan
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • September 15, 2023

For Actinic Keratosis "I used Picato at least 5 times on my face for AK's. Many sunburns in my youth. I applied it in the morning once a day for 3 days, 6 hours, then washed it off with face soap. Severe reaction the first few times. Swelling, blistering, weeping crusts which would dry, flake, and then leave smooth AK-free skin after 14+/- days. The pain was significant but lessened somewhat after the third time using it. I attribute that to using it consistently and it was keeping the AK's at bay. Aleve for the pain and Benadryl at night to sleep. Calendula cream and vitamin E for healing. Washing greasy ointments off is difficult and painful. To my thinking, the harsh reactions correlate with each person's cancer potential, i.e., time damaging their skin (sun, tanning bed, genetics). BCC's also react. Sadly it's not available now. I grow the plant that Picato was derived from and occasionally treat tough AK's and BCC's with the sap. I also use compounded Calcipotriene which is not as good as Picato."

10 / 10
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  • thisi...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 30, 2013

For Keratosis "Works quickly, back to normal in approximately 1 week. Some spots returned after about 6 months and required a second treatment. Coupon available from manufacturer."

8 / 10
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87 Report
  • Kkbt
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 13, 2016

For Actinic Keratosis "I have ak on my legs & arms. After 5-6 yrs using the usual topicals and not having any real results, picato gave me the results I was looking for."

9 / 10
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15 Report
  • Mpano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 25, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "I like Picato and have used it off an on over the years. It works well, but the reality is that if you go out in the sun, the AK comes back. I was able to use a coupon which worked great"

10 / 10
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1 Report
  • Cake...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • December 17, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "I have used picato several times, causes quite a bit of discomfort but does the trick. The only issue I have is that the results are short lived. Actinic keratosis comes back within a few months."

7 / 10
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1 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.