Fluorouracil topical User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

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

Fluorouracil topical 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."

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

Fluorouracil topical 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."

• deb...
• 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 eyelids before you wash your face, it 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."

• sun...
• 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 fluorouracil 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."

• afo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2012

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Be careful not to exceed the recommended time period, 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. The doctor recommended following with Eumovate, but I'm not too happy with the results."

• JBa...
• 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."

• Neu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I have used Efudex for years on my severely sun-worshipped skin. I could never tolerate more than 7-10 days and never got great success. I tried Tolak once, with much better success. The mode of delivery, inactive ingredients, or something made a big difference, and I tolerated it almost 4 weeks. 1X a day app and something about it makes side effects milder, yet results better. I ended up getting much better results than I ever got with Efudex. I see some people here are discouraged that they don't get inflamed as soon as they do with Efudex, but the milder reaction allowed me to stay with it much longer. I did get a severe reaction after the 3rd week, but excellent results. Will use again... no more Efudex for me."

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

Fluorouracil topical 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 affect 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
• August 26, 2023

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I successfully completed the 4 weeks on Tolak cream. My face became extremely unsightly, but I just dealt with it by staying inside. My upper lip was the worst and the only area that caused pain. It was definitely tolerable but extremely unsightly. I'm now in the healing phase and my results are AMAZING! I'm disabled and spend a lot of time inside. I will say...this would be difficult if you have to engage with the public."

• Sni...
• October 22, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "My GP saw some actinic keratosis on my head and said I should mention this at my appointment with a dermatologist. I am using fluorouracil 5%. The regime was 4 weeks once a day, followed by 3 weeks of 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 around 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 neighborhood! This was free on the NHS (National Health Service UK) - they are great."

• Lyn...
• 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 the 8th day, I was supposed to use it for two weeks. It's 8 weeks now since I used it, and I'm still itching and have new breakouts daily. My doctor called in a steroid cream, and the side effects of it were rash and itching, so I don't know if this new rash is from that medicine or the fluorouracil cream... I hope someone reads these reviews before using this.."

• Rac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2016

Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "I have basal cell carcinoma on my cheeks and face had lumps. I have Scottish skin. Started Efudex treatment, and after day 3, I became violently ill. For 10 days, I couldn't hold any food down, whatever. Both exit body points were hammered with oozing duck poop-like stuff I have never experienced before. Bloated stomach, gas buildup, and always on the toilet. After day 10, the symptoms eased, and I started to hold some food down. Currently on day 16 of treatment and my face looks like an iron has been applied to both cheeks. Very painful and still feel unwell. This better work because I have researched this product before commencing, and there were no side effects listed like I have had. Met another patient of Efudex with similar side effects."

• Dee...
• March 12, 2020

Fluorouracil topical 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 phototherapy 12 years ago, where that result was immediate, I threw up on the way home from the pain. Efudex has the same pain, just a long drawn-out process to get there."

• MBF...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2017

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I have extensive AK on my face and chest and have had 5 basal cell and 1 pre-melanoma lesions removed via surgery. Because of the extensive AK and my history, my derm tried blue light (Levulan). I only made it 8 minutes and 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 weeks. I plan by time of year and 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."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2020

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "My dermatologist said to apply on the 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, peeling, 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 weeks of treatment. My facial skin, another story."

• 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 my face, spots on my face and chest. Crusty skin spots that cracked, everything hurt. My chest was worst, with blistering and drainage. The worst thing that happened-somehow I got cream on my lip. I believe it came from the pillow. My lip blistered and was swollen. I found using vitamin E liquid was helpful in relief for my lip. I am using A&D on the red area, crusty spots, and chest. Feels great. I covered my pillow with a silky pajama top. This really helps me sleep better. What gave me encouragement was the other remarks and knowing the 'norm.'"

• Luk...
• 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."

• pro...
• October 15, 2011

For Keratosis "The first treatment was rough, but since then it's easier every time, and I only need treatments about every five years now. It takes a week longer to work on the body. Time your treatments for when you can keep your body covered and minimize public exposure. I like to start in early October so I'm presentable by the holidays. Do a different area every year until you're clear, e.g., arms and legs, trunk, and face and hands. Do the hands with the face because you can't hide them when you're in public, so you might as well do them both at a time when you can minimize your exposure to people. While doing the body, be careful of migration of the medicine to the face on your sheets and by touching your face. You will look younger."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2020

Fluorouracil topical 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."

• Red...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2018

Fluorouracil topical 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 the 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 it will be for another week or two. Now I wait for follow-up."

• AJa...
• 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, dries 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 it's 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."

• Kal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2022

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "This is day 27, the last of 4 weeks of use of the cream, putting it on in the evening after washing and drying the affected areas. In the first 2 weeks, nothing much happened, some redness, a little soreness in one or two places. I felt a little dizzy on a couple of occasions. In the third week, the spots began to become apparent, and flakes of stiff dry skin began to peel away from the worst areas. In this last week, the redness has increased, the spots have gone darker and darker, and some scabs have formed. Today and tomorrow are supposed to be peak horror according to the literature that I was given with the prescription. After that, it should start to subside. Right now, when I look in the mirror, I see an unfamiliar walk-on part from a rubbish zombie film, and it feels as if I have a layer of stiff chili-based lacquer painted on my face and forehead. Whenever I've been outside, I've worn a broad-brimmed bush hat to shade my face from the sun."

• Ret...
• March 27, 2015

Fluorouracil topical 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 Q-tip."

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

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I was prescribed Efudex 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 of treatment, I started to become increasingly unwell, and by the end of 28 days, I 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."

• rai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2014

For Skin Cancer "Used months ago on my upper chest, now my skin looks 20 years younger there. I just had surgery, so I took advantage of a week prior to starting it. Areas I would have never thought were the worst, and I am thankful I used the product to help prevent and stop or slow an issue that would turn to cancer."