Efudex and Swelling: What Users Say

• out...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 4, 2013

For Skin Cancer "Age 66 - spent many years at sea and, as you can imagine, my facial skin was a mess. Doctor put me on Efudex (how it is called here) two weeks ago and the results are amazing. Of course, it is not a pretty sight, and sleeping is a bit difficult, the reaction was clearly pictured in the brochure that I was given at the clinic - but it does not truly describe the actual sensations associated with the inflammation. A little concerned, I browsed for reviews and found this site - after reading the experiences of other users, I feel much relieved - thanks to all for sharing their experiences, now I am looking forward to seeing the end result. Stay safe and keep well. Thank you."

• Car...
• May 2, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "This is my third time over the past 10 years doing this treatment. I'm scheduled for 4-6 weeks treating my legs, stomach, and chest areas. I like that the medication seeks out and treats damaged skin only. My stomach has only 3 small spots. However, my legs and chest area that have been far more exposed to sun have a much more aggressive reaction. The pain, redness, swelling, and sores are extremely painful, however, my history reminds me that in 3-4 weeks, I will be finished, and my skin will look and be much better. Skin cancer gone and baby-smooth new skin. It's affordable and a more complete overall treatment that definitely works. Stick with the plan, you won't be disappointed!"

• Sar...
• October 7, 2017

For Keratosis "I was diagnosed with actinic keratosis in August and then decided to apply the Efudex cream to face in the middle of September. I thought that I only had a couple of spots which I was concerned about, but after applying the cream to my forehead, temples, cheeks, nose, around the eyes, and my ears, it became quite apparent that there were a vast amount of areas that had been affected. In the first week, I saw that these areas became inflamed, although not painful. In the second week, these areas started to merge together and then looked like blisters and sores on my face, especially below my eyes. In the third week, these started to scab a little and became a bit painful, I think due to the skin feeling very dry. I am now in my fourth and final week."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

For Keratosis "I ended up in the hospital with a very serious allergic reaction to Efudex. Started with nausea and diarrhea, went into hives, swelling in my lips, mouth, all over my body. I have been out of the hospital for a week, my voice is still hoarse, I still have a rash, not feeling well at all. I'm on Prednisone to counteract the allergic reaction."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2020

For Keratosis "I am a 70-year-old woman originally from Britain. Used Efudex on chin, side of nose, and cheek. Went up a little too close to the corner of my eye, which swelled up. I used it twice a day for 15 days, which was enough to bear. Big crusty scab on chin. Very sore, itchy, and burning. Can't do the other side of my nose as it's too painful."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 14, 2014

For Keratosis "Fluorouracil 5% used on the lower lip vermillion border for over a year. Two biopsies confirmed actinic keratosis. After application once a day for 4 days, the lip would swell and ulcerate, then heal over 5 days. The lesion would return on day 6. I repeated this over and over for one year. Now I am going to participate in a study for Solaraze Gel. I will report findings in three months."

• Dee...
• March 12, 2020

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."

• BJ0...
• February 5, 2014

For Skin Cancer "I'm treating slightly raised warts which only partially respond to tea tree oil, EGCG cream, tazarotene, and many herbal ointments containing thuja plus etc. essential oils. To those wanting to use Efudex, there are articles stating 1% /0.5% are better tolerated compared with 5%. But Carac is magnitude more expensive. I guess the lower % is less irritating as normal cells are not absorbing as much. If you have deep growth, 5FU may cause significant inflammation/edema that may be excruciatingly painful. I found using oral Serrapeptase 120k Ux2 (empty stomach) helps a lot in terms of managing inflammation and pain. It seems the warts are responding dramatically."

• BJ0...
• February 5, 2014

For Skin Cancer "I'm treating slightly raised warts which only partially respond to tea tree oil, EGCG cream, tazarotene, and many herbal ointments containing thuja plus etc. essential oils. To those wanting to use Efudex, there are articles stating 1% /0.5% are better tolerated compared with 5%. But Carac is magnitude more expensive. I guess the lower % is less irritating as normal cells are not absorbing as much. If you have deep growth, 5FU may cause significant inflammation/edema that may be excruciatingly painful. I found using oral Serrapeptase 120k Ux2 (empty stomach) helps a lot in terms of managing inflammation and pain. It seems the warts are responding dramatically."

• Joj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I had a small lump removed from below my lip and was prescribed Efudex to be applied twice a day for four weeks. I have just finished that time, so I don't know how effective it has been. I had no reaction for 9 days, then my lip became very swollen and weepy, cracked in the corner. My GP suggested that I put Vaseline around the spot before applying the cream, and that helped the lips considerably. I changed to paw-paw cream, which seemed to help. Now it is six days since I stopped applying the cream, and I still have what looks like a large cold sore, as well as the red crustiness under my nose, which started only when I stopped the Efudex. I am hoping this may go soon. I am not sure whether to put anything on them or not."

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

For Actinic Keratosis "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!"

• Mil...
• June 17, 2024

For Keratosis "This is my 3rd time using Efudex cream. I have been told by my dermatologist to use Efudex cream 2 times a day for 2 weeks on lower lip, forehead (1 spot), between upper lip and nose (1 spot), and both hands. I have very fair pale skin. My skin reacted really quickly to the cream. In 5 days, my skin was red with blisters and itchy, very uncomfortable. Now I am on day 10 and my hands are swollen, itchy, with scabs, very dry, and uncomfortable. I am applying fresh aloe vera gel from my yard 2 to 3 times a day. I am not sure I can make it to 14 days. I will write to let you know the results."

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2009

For Keratosis "Efudex works great to eliminate actinic keratosis. I have used it before and unfortunately am using it again. It becomes VERY unsightly.. blotchy, swollen, very painful, etc, but it works."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2019

For Keratosis "Efudex was extremely painful. It affects cancer spots. Well, I guess that is all over because my entire body was inflamed."