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Efudex for Actinic Keratosis User Reviews

Efudex has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 41 reviews for the treatment of Actinic Keratosis. 66% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 17% reported a negative experience.

Efudex rating summary

7.5 average rating out of 10

41 ratings from 47 user reviews.

Compare all 11 medications used in the treatment of Actinic Keratosis.

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Reviews for Efudex

  • Tiny
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 12, 2015

"I am a 70-year-old male who suffers from Actinic Keratosis from exposure to the harsh rays of the sun. Efudex is a fantastic product. It does exactly what is claimed. Make sure that you wash your hands completely after each application. Do not get it on your lips, or you will experience great discomfort (cracked and bleeding lips). Once you have completed the process (twice a day for 21 days), use Hydroval Cream 0.2% to assist in the healing process (works great)."

10 / 10
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181 Report
  • Jojo
  • October 19, 2019

"I am a 60-year-old with very fair skin and blue eyes who grew up at the beach. I was regularly burned to a blister stage every year. I had many keratosis burned off from age 30 to 50. Finally advised to use Efudex. I have completed treatments on my face 5 times now over the course of these 10 years. I have an unusually mild reaction each time. In fact, I have to use it for 40 days to get the full benefit. So, you never know how your own skin will react. The dermatologists have been amazed at the length of time it takes me to get a reaction. But for the chest area, the reaction is incredibly painful, red, and fast. Maybe the constant freezing of those places on my face helped more than I know? In any case, maybe it could be recommended to try a small area before using on the entire face. The end results are very good and I would not let fear keep you from trying this."

10 / 10
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107 Report
  • Cedric
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 9, 2020

"57-year-old male, brought up in South Africa, lived in Australia, and 30+ years in the military with sunny deployments. Previously suffered two SCCs and Bowen's disease. I'm on day 25 of Efudex treatment, stopped applying the cream after 21 days. My face is very red and itchy, it's amazing how the cream identifies areas of damage. It's been tough at times, sleepless nights with burning/itching. Strangely, when I stopped applying the cream I suffered from stomach acid, unsure if it's related. The biggest challenge is to persevere to the end. I use Aquaphor from Amazon to soothe the itching. Good luck to everyone!"

10 / 10
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87 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 29, 2020

"I so appreciate all your comments. I am day 21 of Efudex, and my GP wants me to keep going another week. I am applying it to my nose, hands, and forearms. My nose is a beacon, as is the area around it. Thank goodness for COVID isolation as it couldn’t be happening at a better time. I was going to stop today, but after reading everyone’s experience, I will keep going for another week. Thank you."

9 / 10
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82 Report
  • Gdsangl
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 13, 2019

"Growing up at the Jersey Shore and summers spent at FL beaches, I fell in love with the warmth of the sun and a healthy tan. At 55, the sun made my chest bubble up and my legs reverse tan. It is no surprise that I had actinic keratosis multiplying fast. I was prescribed Efudex 5% for my chest, neck, and face. I had no idea it was topical chemo. What? I googled everything Efudex, bought Aveeno, vanicream, Aquaphor, asked for anxiety meds for my mounting fears, and took a personal leave from work. It's Day 13, saw Dr., I'm done. I did look beat up. In the afternoon, insane itching... tap tap. Many more dead lesions surface and crust up. I'm using cortisone and Aquaphor on the corners and for lesions around my lips. I will be doing this for years to come, peeling back the many layers of damage. It has not been as bad as it was for others. It's uncomfortable yet tolerable and much better than the alternative - the knife or cancer. Oddly, I feel healthier and fortunate to be given this chance."

8 / 10
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86 Report

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  • nwfmike
  • January 18, 2019

"After years of sun damage, my whole face lit up like a Christmas tree full of red lights within 1 week of twice daily application. Shaving: No problem. Use a sharp razor and light pressure with a mild gel cream. Washing: Try Simple Water Boost Micellar facial gel wash. Great stuff. Cleans your face and does not leave it dry or oily. Does not irritate the burning skin. Still use it every day to clean my face. Lubrication: Try Neutrogena Hydro Boost water gel. Not cheap, but you don't need much. Worked great, no greasy feeling. Used a chilled aloe mask at night during last week. Timeline: Should be able to finish in 3 weeks of twice daily. Still pretty bad for a week after treatment with first 2 layers of skin dried up and peeled away. Had another 2 weeks of peelings. After that, skin was super smooth but still red in some areas. Took another month for most of that to fade away. Definitely recommend using Efudex. It's obviously not fun, but produces great results."

10 / 10
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91 Report
  • Florida...
  • January 20, 2020

"I am grateful for Efudex, although the treatment is quite difficult, because it is effective, comprehensive and empowering! Skin cancer surgeries are another kind of difficult I hope to avoid! I’ve used Efudex three times on my face...the first two weeks are the easiest, the second two are more challenging. Plan to stay at home week 4 and the first week of healing. If you are using around your mouth, it will be hard to comfortably eat and drink. Eat soft foods and use a straw. With supervision, my doctor directed me to use Efudex on my lips, which was the most challenging of all applications! Because lips are a more sensitive area, I only needed to apply for 7-10 days....I made it to 8 and could do no more. No doubt Efudex is challenging to use, but it beats multiple surgeries where hunks of your face are removed! I plan to use in the future where issues emerge....because the “bad” cancer causing cells will keep appearing. And, now I can do something when they do!"

10 / 10
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70 Report
  • coolo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 15, 2016

"I was prescribed Efudex to treat various Actinic Keratoses on my forehead and balding front pate. Firstly, my overall rating is that the treatment is very effective, and I now have a beautiful forehead of smooth skin after 2 weeks and 2 days of treatment and 2 weeks of recovery post-treatment. It may be that my skin damage was mild. In any event, I found the process quite bearable. I applied the cream sparingly at night and in the morning, and there was little to see for 3 or 4 days, the skin then reddened and peeled/flaked - no ulceration or discharge. Although unsightly (looked like a bright rash), as a male, I was still happy to go out and socialize. I used my wife's hair colorant plastic protective gloves but still washed hands thoroughly after use. Happy."

9 / 10
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105 Report
  • Annie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 3, 2019

"One of the most painful experiences of my entire life. I thought childbirth was the worst pain I ever experienced, but this pain is indescribable. I'm at 5 weeks now. Hope to come off soon. Just opening my mouth to try to eat is excruciating. My doctor never warned me about any of this, nor did he tell me I was going to look like a monster."

10 / 10
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75 Report
  • Philip
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 8, 2020

"Male, 52, having had ongoing AK issues on the scalp and face, regularly frozen with dry ice over the past several years. Started using Efudex 2x daily on the scalp for the past 3 weeks; some mild irritation, but not at all problematic. After 2 weeks, crusty areas fell away (I did slightly agitate, which I know I shouldn't), and I will continue to use for another 1-2 weeks. So far, so good; material improvement in scalp and tenderness has subsided substantially. Now starting to try a small area on the forehead below the hairline, before doing the entire face... just to see if the reaction is very different, but this is just SO much better than having intermittent freezing. Will definitely do a second cycle on the scalp after a break. Highly recommend based on 3 weeks' usage. Will update further after using on the face. Thanks for all the other posts!"

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61 Report
  • Lee
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 15, 2020

"I am on day 15 of the Efudex cream. I was terrified to start. I was actually prescribed the cream two other times and chickened out due to the photos that I had seen on YouTube. I am doing very well so far. It is super tight and red around my mouth, very hard to smile. I have spots all over my forehead and a few on my cheeks. It’s always a shock to see my face in the mirror. But without looking at myself, it feels like I put on one of those peel-off face masks, just tight. So far, I sleep just fine. I don’t, however, use Vaseline, I use calendula, which is for burns and has worked well. I have also used makeup when I had to go out in public. It is definitely convenient being in lockdown because everyone is wearing a mask, so it hides my super red chin. I have 6 more days of cream, I am taking this one day at a time. The only side effect so far that I have had is that on two different days, I felt extremely tired."

8 / 10
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61 Report
  • Isobel
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 29, 2020

"I am 70, with chestnut hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. My doctor diagnosed actinic keratosis on a small lesion on my face. He recommended Efudix twice a day for 3 weeks. I used a cotton bud to apply the cream as it seemed easier to apply it thinly that way than with my finger. During the first two weeks, the lesion started to become red and enlarged slightly. Towards the end of the second and throughout the third week, yellowy crusts started to form and the lesion felt tender and raw. If I went out in the sun, I put a small plaster over it for protection. After the treatment, a scab formed over the whole area that took two weeks to fall off. Then new skin appeared, and I have been applying Calendula to aid the recovery. I am left with a pink streak, which hopefully will fade with time. Until then, I will use 'hide the blemish' make-up, which I would think a man could also use, if need be. Overall, very pleased with the result."

10 / 10
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58 Report
  • Granny
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 15, 2020

"I am using Efudex, and the spots were getting raised and crusty as expected, but then it got damp in the shower and came off with a bit of bleeding. It has settled down now. But I was worried if this has set back the process. I would appreciate your comments."

8 / 10
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58 Report
  • Nina
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 8, 2020

"I had a very tiny split on the side of my nose that wouldn’t heal. It was BCC. It was surgically removed. One of the most horrible experiences, emotionally. I used Efudex a year ago for a spot that appeared on my chest. It worked well, although painful and itchy. I am now using it on my forehead, nose, and upper lip area. I was shocked at how many spots appeared! Extremely painful when touched, but otherwise just a little itchy on occasion. I am grateful for all the comments here... it gives me courage to keep going. Week 2..."

7 / 10
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55 Report
  • wheeler...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 18, 2020

"I was prescribed Efudex for basal carcinoma on my leg. Used twice a day for 3 weeks. Excellent result. Now 6 weeks on and just left with a red area which I assume will fade with time. I was also told to treat AK on my face, used cream once a day for 4 weeks (stopped 3 days short). As with other comments made, I was not informed by the doctor that I would look absolutely monstrous. Immediate reddening of the entire face, followed by scabbing. Still at the scabbing stage. I could get a part in a horror movie. The cream seemed to migrate towards my eyes where I had not applied it. Would I have used Efudix if I had known what I would look like - probably wouldn’t have had the courage as people stare when I am out and about. Determined to continue with my life as normal. Think it’s better than it turning into cancer at a later stage. I await the results with bated breath, although I think this may be many months away."

7 / 10
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52 Report
  • Sano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 8, 2020

"I chose to apply my treatment over 2 periods separated by 6 months. Half of the face and right arm this time and in 6 months will do the other half. 53 years old, Scottish descent, growing up in Queensland, Australia. Too late to chip my parents about that. Skin: Fitzpatrick Type 1. I had a good (severe) reaction within 3 days, applying three times per day against the advice of 2 times per day. Within 1 week, yellowish crusting, weeping, etc. kept it up for two weeks in total, then stopped and another 2 weeks to recover. Good result. Pain intense, and I was fortunate enough to have a GP that prescribed some decent painkillers and a mild sedative (5 mg Diazepam) to help me get through the night. Tried to persevere without the drugs, but they proved to be a godsend. Would recommend to do this treatment in Winter and off work or working from home. (Trivial note: started treatment at the same time as working from home due to Covid-19)"

9 / 10
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43 Report
  • Ding...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 25, 2020

"I am on my 18th day of using Efudex. I am only using it on the tip of my nose. This morning, a horrible crusty scab of blistering came off, and it is now red and raw. I am still using it as I was told to stop on day 21. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow to see how things are going and whether I should carry on for longer. No pain, just a sort of tingling, and I look like Rudolph the Reindeer, but coping fine. Sleep well and no real side effects."

8 / 10
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42 Report
  • In...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 8, 2020

"I spent years in the sun, scuba diving and hiking in Mexico and Arizona. For years, I've constantly had to use lip balm because my lips were so dry. I tried many products, and they never worked. My lips would crack and peel all the time. Just recently, I got diagnosed with actinic cheilitis. I have been prescribed Efudex 5% once a day for 3 to 4 weeks. I am at Week 2 and experiencing severe, almost unbearable burning pain because of deep sores with massive amounts of oozing and crusting and now bleeding, tightness, and severe dryness. I will try to endure another week, but I think I would rather have surgery any day than this."

3 / 10
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40 Report
  • TR100
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 3, 2019

"Used for 4 weeks to treat what the physician thought might be an AK (actinic keratosis) - a very tiny dry, scaly spot above my upper lip. Efudex was easy to use, not painful, just a gnarly scab that took weeks to fall off. Once gone, the skin was smooth but red. The red spot was 3X larger than the AK being treated (now the size of a pencil eraser). Hoping the redness will heal in time. Finished treatment two months ago, but the smooth red splotch remains. It looks far worse than the tiny dry spot I had before I began treatment. Regret using Efudex."

3 / 10
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43 Report
  • Lough
  • March 31, 2017

"I used Efudex for 20 days. Got all the bearable symptoms of rash, redness, and sore skin. It took about 2 months for the redness to go completely. The main long-lasting side effect I have is that it's been six months, and I still have permanently very greasy, greasy skin on my nose and cheeks where I applied it. TIP: make sure you are not prone to rosacea before using it. I didn't know I was prone, but the Efudex triggered the adult rosacea I never knew I had. (Rosacea is like acne, it comes and goes but only in the place where I used the Efudex. It's embarrassing, and I don't like going in public during flare-ups.) I wouldn't recommend this treatment at all. It might be okay on small 2 cm spot treatments on the body, NOT THE FACE. Beware."

2 / 10
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57 Report
  • Tjdh
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 17, 2017

"I had a small spot on my nose. Used this twice a day for 14 days. The spot became very red and got scabby where the precancer is on the skin. After 14 days, I stopped treatment. Now in the healing process. Using Vaseline twice a day. Scabs are showing, coming off on their own. DON'T PEEL. The area is very red but becoming less so a bit. I hear it takes a few weeks for the redness to subside. So far, so good. Not too much discomfort. I did get depressed doing this though, as it's my face and I didn't want to go in public."

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52 Report
  • WJC
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 7, 2020

"I used Fluoroplex about 15 years ago on my chest and face, they were both a mess for 5-6 weeks, but the treatment is worth it. I started seeing the same damage on my chest and face, and my doctor prescribed Efudex 5%. It works the same, and when I spread it on the chest, little red spots started showing, then more and more. I look like my chest has the measles. Some are large spots that swell and ooze. It is very itchy with prickly pain, now in the third week, hard to sleep. I'm going to stop at the week's end for a full 4 weeks. I also treated some specific spots on the side of my face, but it just got very red, turned blackish, I stopped that at 3 weeks, and it is healing nicely with the help of Vaseline. I have not had any side effects with vomiting or headaches, as others have reported. Once my chest starts healing, I'm going to try some additional spots on my face. It is not pleasant, but what chemo treatment would be? The alternative is surgery."

10 / 10
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36 Report
  • rasher
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 23, 2019

"Had to stop using Efudix on my face after 2 weeks and 2 days because of pain, dizziness, and mouth sores. My face was a fright, bright red all over as the cream seemed to creep when used. One week later, the rash has settled and the pain has subsided, but I fear it will be weeks before I return to my normal look. I have dry, flaky scabs on my face where scabs were not evident before Efudix. I regret using this cream on my face. My chest looks like I have been blasted with both barrels of a shotgun. Red welts everywhere as I dressed the whole area with Efudix as advised by my doctor. Not really painful, but starting to itch. I am 3 weeks into this area, I feel I could stop now, but will give it a few more days. The jury is still out."

3 / 10
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37 Report
  • the...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 28, 2016

"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."

1 / 10
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52 Report
  • marlin
  • May 1, 2020

"I grew up in Canberra, Australia. Sunburn every year, never wore a hat, didn't know about sunburn cream. I started using Efudex when I was 38. I'm on my fourth facial using it. I can last 16 days at the most. I would be so painful if I used it for 28 days. I know it's time to stop when it is so itchy that I don't get a single minute of sleep at night. I have to stay at home for 3 or 4 weeks - I scare too many people otherwise. Before bed, I have to take mild sleeping tablets (Restavit) and ibuprofen. I used to use Lucas Pawpaw ointment at night, but it's too thick and itchy. I use Dermeze treatment ointment. Lucas' is good for recovery. I have to wash the Efudex off before I go to sleep - otherwise, I can feel its horrible burning all night. If I accidentally touch the treated spot and then rub my eyes, they get swollen for days. I hate the treatment (0/10) - torturers could use it. But I love the results (10/10). My skin feels so good for 4 years."

7 / 10
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32 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.

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