Efudex User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Mango
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2020

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I am up to my last day of treatment, day 21. I have treated my entire face once a day with Efudex and would never do it again. After the first couple of days, red spots start to appear, after a week, my face looked like a severe case of sunburn and felt like it. The intensity of the redness increased along with constant burning. By day 12, I was ready to give up but reminded myself I was over halfway. I didn't know how I could bear to apply more Efudex, but perseverance and willpower have been on my side. It is a painful experience, which I would only recommend as a last resort. Even today, I dread putting the cream on for the last time, but after that, I know each day will be a slow pace of healing. I look forward to the end result and hope all the discomfort is worth it."

• Didew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2020

For Skin Cancer "Being a white Aussie girl who loved being outside, my skin was a mess. I’m now 58. I’ve used Efudex several years ago with great success. Started again due to scaly patches on my face that never went away. These reacted instantly and then disappeared. After having a break, I started using it on pigmentations on my face. These too reacted, interestingly, I started getting reactions on places I didn’t put the cream. So I started putting the cream there too. My face is a mess, very itchy, sore. I certainly wouldn’t recommend using this on large areas at a time due to the uncomfortableness of the process. I know it will be worth it, so I will continue on. I have some lumps on my head, once my face is done, I will be doing my scalp."

• Ding...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

• Lindy
• 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."

• In...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

• TR100
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

• War...
• March 20, 2015

For Skin Cancer "Used years ago on my arms and it was successful for a time, after healing. But my arms look like they once did. I have red hair and freckles from growing up in Arizona before sunblock was used! Now I'm using it on my forehead. It's miserable, but I hope it works. All I can say is take it one day at a time. Keep battling."

• Carole...
• 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."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2011

For Skin Cancer "Efudex successfully combated skin abnormalities that my doctor had cancer concerns about. I used Efudex for ten days and then stopped because of blistering; they were small, but covered my face. It's been almost two months after my treatment and I still have an unsightly, coarse rash. The steroid cream I used five days afterwards eased the appearance of the rash, but because of concerns over skin thinning, I could not continue with the cream."

• Lough
• March 31, 2017

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

• Tjdh
• 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."

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

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

• rasher
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

• afoben
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2012

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."

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

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."

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

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."

• marlin
• May 1, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

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

For Actinic Keratosis "I was prescribed Efudix 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 treatment I started to become increasingly unwell, and by the end of 28 days 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 ."

• Rackoon
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2016

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."

• Spock
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2018

For Actinic Keratosis "I was misdiagnosed by a dermatologist as having A.K. when actually I had eczema. Efudex turned my arm into a raw, ulcerated, painful, itchy, oozing mess. Unable to sleep. Application was for two weeks only, then discontinued. After recovering from the treatment, the eczema was still there. I changed doctors. One application of a medium-strength corticosteroid, itching gone, healing started. Please get multiple opinions about the disease you have and the treatment options before being told to use Efudex."

• Deb
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2018

For Skin Cancer "I was prescribed Efudex for squamous carcinoma. Was told to do both arms from elbow to fingers. One at a time, of course. I'm just over three weeks of using it, and it has not worked at all. Doctor can't understand why."

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

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."

• RedNose
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2018

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."

• 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."

• Snigel
• October 22, 2020

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."