Efudex for Actinic Keratosis User Reviews (Page 2)

• 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."

• Sni...
• October 22, 2020

"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."

• Dee...
• March 12, 2020

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• Eda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2020

"Was told to use Efudex 5% 2x a day for 2 or 3 weeks, but pain would not let me do that. Used it for only 4 days and had a serious reaction to it. Had raised redness over 3/4 of my face, like welts. Had stinging and pain at 4 days, and the doctor said that 4 days was enough. Unusually fast reaction. Now I want to see how long it will take to get back to normal. Today is day 5. My sister and brother-in-law have also used it with good results."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

"Was prescribed Efudix by the NHS to treat incorrectly diagnosed psoriasis (they thought it was Actinic Keratosis because I have AC on my arms/hands from growing up in a hot country) on my ankle. Used the cream for roughly 6 weeks in 2018 and stopped using the cream after the 6 weeks. Developed a case of discoid eczema which originated from the psoriasis spot and I've had it now for a year. Have to apply Epimax cream twice a day to contain the eczema, which is incredibly/unbearably itchy and causes red welts to appear on my legs below and on the knees. If you have a choice, I would not use Efudix."

• Pip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2021

"After my 11th basal cell carcinoma, my dermatologist found some actinic keratosis on my nose and above my upper lip. I have been using fluorouracil for seven days. Today is the first day the redness has really appeared, especially above my upper lip. My skin is starting to itch and burn, mild right now. I am supposed to apply once daily for two weeks, then take 2 to 3 weeks off, and apply again daily for two weeks. I had one basal cell carcinoma on my lower leg two years ago. I used the Aldara cream on that and did not like it at all. I had systemic side effects and burning, painful skin for 23 weeks. I am hoping this experience with fluorouracil will be better."

• Sab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2024

"I've been using Efudex on my nose every morning as prescribed for 25 days now, and thankfully only a few more left to go. I decided to use castor oil on it at night to help heal the wound, and I really think it has worked. I use castor oil on everything as it really helps heal things quicker, and I believe this is what has saved me from experiencing the red hot burning sensations that others have gone through. I did stop for a couple of nights on day 19, and two days later, my nose was red raw and starting to look dreadful, so once again, I used my castor oil, and by the following morning, it was less red and itching, and the very mild burning sensation was gone. I can't imagine that the oil would counteract the cream, but I guess time will tell. I just didn't want to go through what everyone else on here went through! I shall report back to see if it has really worked."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2021

"The reviews posted are really helpful as I am two weeks into a 4-week course, and the effects of the cream were giving me concern. But looking at other people's experience, I am much relieved and will now see the course through. As with others, by applying the cream, it has exposed more damaged areas of my face I wasn’t aware of. Two weeks into the application, all areas are red blotches, some of which are ulcerated and very painful. At night, I’m having to have the electric fan directed at my face for a cooling effect as it’s on fire. With broken sleep and the pain, it’s hard going, but having read the reviews, it seems it is normal, so I will stick it out."

• Tyo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2022

"I had zero unpleasantness. I am in week 4, prescription was to use once a day for three weeks, break, then another 3. The second week in, I started twice a day on hands, arms, and nose. Side of my face did not look good, maybe headache first week. But no pain. Back of the hand slowly working. Will stop, then wait 3 weeks and go again. No pain or side effects."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2024

"I am a 63-year-old female who was prescribed this for precancer on my face. My dermatologist didn't explain a thing, told me to use it for 30 days, take 30 days off, and repeat until my face didn't have any more bumps or dry patches. Thank goodness for my pharmacist! He explained what was going to happen and sent me to a few websites. This is the 3rd month on the cream and by far the most painful reactions. Within 7 days, I had crusted red spots, it has seeped onto my lips, making everything hard: talking, eating, brushing my teeth. I have worked through it all. Thankful that my co-workers are social workers and between them and my husband, family, and friends, I have a great support team. Today is day 25, and I am quitting early this time. When I came home, I started to shake, I am so cold, and my throat hurts, either new symptoms or I am catching a cold, either way, blowing my nose can't be done without tears. It is March, I will see how my face is in the fall, after camping season."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2022

"I am using Efudex on my chest. I thought I had 5/6 spots diagnosed, but after being told to use Efudex cream again, my chest is now covered in far more than I thought. They are very itchy red spots. It drives me crazy at night, but I’m determined to stick it out. I’m almost at the end of my twice-a-day treatment for 3 weeks. I can see they are drying up now too. I’ve used the cream once before when I had just one or two keratosis, so I know it works. Don’t be put off by how awful it looks. If it goes very red and itchy, that shows it’s working, just be patient. It should be worth it."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2022

"As expected, this treatment is horrendous. Week 1 was not too bad. Week 2 was extremely difficult, lack of sleep, etc. Week 3, truly awful! Extreme pain, care must be taken when showering. I used lukewarm water on my face, I found this helped, but then the skin went tight. After applying Efudix, I waited an hour or so before applying a moisturizer (Nivea for Men Sensitive, alcohol-free). Sleep is extremely difficult due to the terrible itch - scratch - itch! Week 4. I had to stop using Efudix! Swollen face, half-closed eyes, however, it has definitely worked, with blistering, weeping, and peeling beginning. Because of the swelling around my eyes, I rang my doctor, and we agreed to cease any further application, as Efudix has done the job! I am now experiencing bouts of severe itching - tried all sorts of lotions and potions, but alas, no relief. Nivea seems to give a little relief. I've read you often feel worse when you stop using Efudix, and it's true!"

• Nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2021

"I'm using Efudex on my forehead - the second time that I have been asked to treat this area for AK - although previously I was prescribed a stronger lotion that had a more sudden reaction. Anyway, I am now in week 3. My forehead feels very tight and hot (some discomfort sleeping), and yes, it feels sore and looks awful with very red blotches. What is surprising is the patches being worked on are lower on my forehead than I anticipated - I had felt the sun damage areas higher up on a receding hairline but not these just above and to the sides of my eyebrows. Yes, it is painful and looks horrid (but shows that it's working), but I've invested in a flat cap to hide at least some of the horrors. I also volunteer at a cancer charity, so I know that staff and probably customers too will be understanding whilst treatment is ongoing. I encourage everyone to try to keep going and to stay the course, but of course to speak with your GP or the skin clinic if you are finding it very hard. Take care, folks!"

• Aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2021

"Used Efudix full face treatment for AK and Bowen's disease. Twice daily for three weeks. I was one who suffered severe reaction. From week two, I suffered intolerable pain for three weeks. My face was a total mess of raw flesh. Sleeping was impossible. Pillow and sheets stained with body fluids seeping from my face. Sent me into a depression for three months. Worst experience of my life. Having said that, the results were fantastic. Baby smooth, blemish-free skin [age 70]. I am glad I persevered, BUT I recommend the following: Do not do the whole face at once. Break it up into halves, which reduces pain and makes sleeping easier. That pillow really hurts. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, genitals, etc., as believe me, you will suffer! Put only a thin film on, as that's all you need. If the doctor states to use it for three weeks but you start to ulcerate and erode at two weeks, then stop because you're done. Don't extend the agony. Mine is the worst-case scenario. Your experience may vary. Good luck."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2021

"I was prescribed Efudex cream for lip actinic keratosis to be applied once a day, and nothing could have prepared me for the forthcoming experience I was about to endure! The cream itself is easy to use, and as expected, on day 7 my lip reacted... a huge blister from one end to the other, and on day 9 it started to split, weep, and crust over in rotation, and I'm still going through that now. On day 35, I stopped the cream on day 28! Eating has been a nightmare... can’t bite into anything and living on soft foods... bonus being I’ve lost 10 lb in weight."

• Rfi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 3, 2024

"I have done 3 rounds of Efudex over the past 20 years, primarily for Actinic Keratosis and 'sun damage' on my face. I just completed my most recent treatment. It works great, but it is absolute torture. I have never been able to get past 14 days of twice a day application on my face. The folds around my nose and mouth get 'fried', and it becomes so painful that I can't open my mouth very wide after about 8 days. By the ninth or tenth day, I can't go to work and by day 12, I can't sleep. I have found that Ibuprofen and Tylenol every 8 hours is helpful. While taking a shower, my face temporarily feels good, but 5 minutes after the shower, my face throbs and feels absolutely like it is on fire. Putting the Efudex on at that point provides temporary relief. I use Eucerin Original Healing Cream, which I keep in the refrigerator. Applying the ice-cold Eucerin on my face about 2-3 hours after the Efudex feels like heaven."

• DCI...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2025

"Used nightly for 4 weeks as instructed by a dermatologist. Live in Scotland, so advised to only use on specific areas of actinic keratosis. Several areas on the forehead, under my eyes, and the entire nose where the sun would hit my face under my glasses/sunglasses, and a couple of spots on my right cheek which had shown signs of bleeding. Used a Q-tip to apply. 1st week itchy and burning. 2nd week redness and a more burning sensation, so I applied Tropic Skincare Tamanu balm during the day to keep skin moist, which helped hugely. 3rd week, skin redness spread to a wider area than I thought it was going to, and skin felt very tight. 4th week, I was glad I wore glasses as it hid a lot of the redness and crusting which started this week. I’m now two weeks post-treatment, and having used the Tamanu balm and castor oil on my face day and night, it is almost healed with only very slight redness remaining. Most areas appear smoother, though I may have to repeat on my nose. Would use again. Very pleased with results."

• Anonymous
• May 4, 2018

"I work for a dermatologist. In order for Efudex to react, sun damage/AK's, cancer should be present. Undamaged skin will not react to Efudex."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2017

"I have a question, not comment, please. I'm on day 6 of 14 days of application. No reaction. Is this normal? I'm applying a thin layer 2 times a day. Am I doing something wrong or is this normal?"

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2020

"I just started. I’m on day three. I am absolutely terrified."