Efudex Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Efudex may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Efudex - for the Consumer

Efudex Cream

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Efudex Cream:

Burning, crusting, redness, pain, soreness, inflammation, or irritation of the skin.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody diarrhea; change in skin color; chills; fever; scarring or sores on the treated area; severe or persistent burning, crusting, redness, pain, soreness, inflammation, or irritation of the skin; severe stomach pain; vomiting.

Side Effects by Body System

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have been the most frequently reported and include local burning, crusting, allergic contact dermatitis, erosions, erythema, hyperpigmentation, irritation, pain, photosensitivity, pruritus, scarring, rash, soreness, and ulceration, and other local reactions.

The following side effects have been reported infrequently and a causal relationship is remote: alopecia, blistering, bullous pemphigoid, discomfort, ichthyosis, scaling, suppuration, swelling, telangiectasia, tenderness, urticaria, and skin rash.

Other

One case of life-threatening systemic toxicity was associated with fluorouracil topical 5% cream in a patient with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase enzyme deficiency. Signs and symptoms included severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, chills, stomatitis, erythematous rash, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and inflammation of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine.

Other

Miscarriages and a birth defect (ventricular septal defect) have been reported when fluorouracil was applied to mucous membrane areas of pregnant women. A cleft lip and palate have been reported when fluorouracil was applied as recommended.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included leukocytosis, which has been the most frequently reported hematologic side effect. Eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, and toxic granulation have been reported infrequently and a causal relationship is remote.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have been reported infrequently and a causal relationship is remote. These included emotional upset, insomnia and irritability.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have been reported rarely and a causal relationship is remote. These include medicinal taste and stomatitis.

Ocular

Ocular side effects have been reported infrequently and a causal relationship is remote. These include conjunctival and corneal reactions, and lacrimation.

Other

Nasal irritation has been reported infrequently and a causal relationship is remote.

Other

Herpes simplex has been reported infrequently and a causal relationship is remote.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.