Efudex and Discomfort: What Users Say

• Ric...
• November 14, 2010

For Keratosis "I'm an engineer, now in my 60s, and I have worked outside all my life. I have red hair and fair complexion, you can imagine the skin damage I have accumulated in my lifetime. I had used the Efudex 5% cream years ago and had good results. Three months ago, I began seeing a dermatologist that recommended the 'new' technology 'BLUE LIGHT TREATMENTS'. This did NOT work for me, gave me a very mild 'sunburn' with no apparent effect on the former skin damage, and it was very expensive even after insurance coverage! I requested my treatment to be changed to the proven Efudex. My doctor insisted I stay with the 'blue light', that my skin was 'in very good condition', and that I only needed 'maintenance'. As you may guess, I have changed physicians and now I am being treated with Efudex again. My skin is now in full reaction after only two weeks' treatment with Efudex. Yes, with Efudex, your skin is unsightly and uncomfortable from week 2 through to week 4, but, this is a small price to be cancer-free. Efudex works!"

• Tin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 12, 2015

For Actinic Keratosis "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)."

• Tjd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2017

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

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

For Actinic Keratosis "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!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Using Efudex for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on my nose. Have finished 24 days and plan to go for 4 more days. My dermatologist feels if it hasn’t done the job, then it most likely will not work. My nose has been red since week one, then the affected area scabbed over during week two and three. It was uncomfortable but tolerable. Since I began week four, the pain has become intense at night, almost intolerable. I am trying to soldier on, but it is very stressful. I am using Tylenol and Benadryl, but nothing eases the pain but ice packs. It feels like someone is driving needles or glass in my nose. It’s brutal. My phone doesn’t recognize me anymore."

• Lou...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 26, 2025

For Skin Cancer "Great success with 14-day broadcast application to my forehead several months ago. Handled persistent AKs and greatly improved cosmetic appearance. Significantly healed after just seven days. Some (very) pale red residual redness remained several weeks thereafter, but quite minor overall. I stayed active in the outside world throughout treatment and healing. Currently in healing phase on whole face - sans forehead - and clavicles. Two-week course again. Definitely a far more painful, uncomfortable, and difficult experience vs. the smooth sailing with my forehead. I’ve become a hermit this time, as my current cosmetic appearance is markedly worse and impairing versus the forehead treatment. I’m again hoping for a complete cosmetic healing in a prompt timeframe, but much greater discoloration and discomfort (PAIN) with this lower facial application at 14 days. It has been a difficult road, but the revealed issues indicate it was wise to proceed with the treatment."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2023

For Keratosis "Used on nose, cheeks, and chin every night for 18 nights when scabbing became apparent, so stopped using. From today, June 3, I can use Canestan steroid cream on the affected areas. Also using oatmeal cream, which is very mild. Areas are very red and unsightly with scabbing and some tightness. Redness and tightness have moved towards my eyes, and this is quite uncomfortable. Persevering. Can’t comment on the outcome as the process is still ongoing."