Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis User Reviews (Page 4)

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

Fluorouracil topical "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2022

Fluorouracil topical "I was having dry spots on my face that didn’t go away with any amount of cream/treatment. My dermatologist prescribed Tolak… 2 weeks use applying a thin layer to the entire face at night. I have just completed my 2 weeks. Areas on my face and forehead show up red, blotchy and are beginning to scab up. I feel it is working. Plan to do it again in about 6 months."

• Pro...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 13, 2020

"I’m 76, fair-haired, green eyes, and very light-skinned. As a kid, the family spent many summers at the Jersey shore, where I had serious sunburns every year. Moved to mile-high Denver over 50 years ago. Did a lot of outdoor activities - golf, tennis, hiking, skiing, bicycling, etc., many times without a hat and rarely sunscreen. My first Efudex treatment to my face caused it to look like I took a face plant falling off a motorcycle. Serious scabbing and pain. Once healed, my skin looked great. Freezing of spots every 6 months on arms, legs, and face. Efudex started again last week. Skin is very red and sore. Not able to get much sleep due to irritation on face. This round is the most painful I’ve experienced. But it beats the MOHS surgeries and excisions of basal and squamous cell areas I’ve had over the last several years. It’s not fun, but needs to be done. I strongly urge kids, grandkids, friends, and family to take appropriate procedures to protect their skin from the sun."

• Bre...
• March 25, 2020

"First I used this on my chest once a day for 2 weeks. After the first 10 days, I had red lesions all over, but I continued for the full 14 days. It itched like crazy, hurt when I washed it so that the washcloth felt like a Brillo pad, water felt like fire. After completing treatment, my chest cleared up. Now I am using it on my entire face. On day 12, burning, itching looks awful. I have had 2 Mohs surgeries on my face, 2 surgeries on my chest, and one on my arm, this has all been in 7 months' time. Hoping my face clears soon. I will have to have a laser treatment on last month's surgery to help the scar out on my face, and I will have to have corrective surgery next to my eye from 1st month's to loosen the tension of the skin. All worth it in the end."

• Ten...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2020

Fluorouracil topical "Used for 7 days, but on day 5, got nausea, headache, general ill feeling, blazing hot face. Ice packs ineffective in relieving the heat and pain. Was in bed most of 2 days. Had to stop treatment, felt very ill. Was told it was probably ineffective in treating the condition since the spots didn't get crusted."

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

Fluorouracil topical "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."

• Lol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2020

"Stinging from the application of fluorouracil, tonight was my first application. I have had AK, did the Ultra Lite, freezings, and now this treatment. It felt like bee stings, finally subsided. I know it has to get worse before it gets better, but can I apply a cool cloth on my face after the application to help with discomfort if I can’t tolerate it?"

• Sue...
• March 22, 2023

Fluorouracil topical "Stopped applying Tolak yesterday. Now burning and itching in affected areas. Some scabbing and very red blotches too. The burning and itching is extremely uncomfortable. I hope the results in a few weeks will be worth it."

• Ara...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2020

"56-year-old female. Lots of sun damage. Prescribed for 14 days, twice a day. I am on day 10. I applied it on my upper lip and hairline. I was terrified after seeing the pictures on the internet. I'm happy that I am only doing a couple of patches. I would not tolerate my entire face at once for this treatment. Section it off. Spots above my lip turned bright red, then brown, and then crusted. It's tolerable. Don't panic."

• I...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

Fluorouracil topical "Using Tolak for 3 weeks, I have red spots, almost bloody looking. It does get a little crusty, and at every time I shower, the crust falls off, and I wait another day to dry out. I keep you posted about the outcome, Ani."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2017

"I am 59, a redhead, green eyes. Live in AZ. Not a sunbather. Under dermatologist directions, used 5% cream for 10 days on forehead and chest. Very painful. Developed severe allergic reaction with swelling in face, lips, throat, fever, and chills. Stopped treatment and narrowly avoided the hospital. Still experiencing pain. Be careful!"

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

Fluorouracil topical "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

Fluorouracil topical "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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2016

"On day 17 of 25-day Efudex fluorouracil 5% cream treatment on entire face, once a day, in the morning. Redness started on day 5 and now I am very red, face feels tight and dry. Some slight itchiness but not too uncomfortable. Bottom lip feels chapped. Face looks awful. Use cortisone cream at night. Fair skin, never tan, only sunburn."

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

Fluorouracil topical "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!"

• Jud...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 27, 2025

"This is my 3rd time using fluorouracil 5% cream. It is quite unsightly and somewhat uncomfortable skin treatment. This time I am doing the treatment for the (minimum) full 2 weeks, 2X a day. Helpful hints: I apply Vaseline around eyes, lips, and creases on nose before applying cream. Also, I noticed one of the ingredients in fluorouracil cream is white petroleum, so I use a little of that Vaseline after letting the FU cream soak in (>1 hour) to the shabby parts. Also, I've found that a nice gentle warm shower relieves the uncomfortable dryness, then either applying fluorouracil cream (for treatment) or soothing/moisturizing cream (for healing). My doctor recommended using Vaseline for the healing phase. I'm hoping for better results this time because of a full 2-week treatment. Previous results with shorter treatments were less than impressive, and my problem areas came back after a year. Still, I am grateful that there is a medication that can reverse my skin damage and decrease skin cancer. It will be worth the side effects."

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

Fluorouracil topical "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

Fluorouracil topical "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

Fluorouracil topical "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."

• old...
• April 12, 2020

"I've been using fluorouracil 5 for three weeks now, in two places on my head. It seems to be having the desired effect on my scalp, but unfortunately it acts like super glue on my hair. Shampoo doesn't make much of a dent in it. Does anyone know what you can use on your hair to wash out the fluorouracil without damaging the hair too much?"

• tgi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2023

Fluorouracil topical "2014 Efudex treatment face (ex-Lifeguard, pontoon sailor, swimmer, beach) side effects were only facial itching, minor pains, nothing to write home about. 2023 Tolak (age 74 now) side effects were 95% presented, no blood in painful diarrhea but herniated disk presented w/no other suspects. Prior to 3rd-week treatment, pillows looked like a bloody crime scene, even though applications were the first thing in A.M. No more golf but walking 2 mi mostly OK as well as other exercises. Doc review of effects OK'd an early quit-date but by then could see the end of the tunnel and got all 4 weeks in. Writing this one week past treatment 'curing zone': some healing progress face, diarrhea gone, herniated disk pains vacillate, arrhythmia comes/goes, daily headache diminished, etc. Too early to judge if all the bad skin spots will peel off."

• Stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2022

"5% cream on about 10 square inches on bald head (69 yo m) for 2x/day for 4 weeks for widespread actinic keratosis. One more day to go, then heal and see the doctor for a follow-up. Was expecting a horror show based on other comments here. At no time did it feel like anything more than a 'hot itch', and even that was no worse than how a mild sunburn feels. Never interfered with sleep. Spots got quite red, scabbed up but are now just red spots. Marinated skin when I got up and after dinner so it would not be so gloppy when going to bed."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2016

"I was prescribed fluorouracil for actinic keratosis, used it on my face, was told any redness, etc. would be temporary. That was four years ago. I'm permanently scarred w/ a few pock marks, particularly around the mouth. My face skin is now so much more sensitive than it used to be. Below my chin also gets red super easy, like if I just rub my hand across that area once or twice. (I later read a dermatologist say that he recommends excluding the chin area from treatment.) The one actinic keratosis on my nose had been removed and this was a prophylactic use. I'm very sorry I used this on my whole face. As far as being effective, I can't really say, because I'd be speculating as to if I would have gotten more or not."

• 1st...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2022

"62 yr. old male. This did work, but beware, for 'most' using this RX is very tough physically and is also mentally challenging. I had to treat my whole face, and after approx. days 5-6, my face began to get very red & tight, sores appeared all over, SEVERELY itch and started looking quite horrendous-which got progressively worse looking every day thereafter. I missed 3 weeks of work as I did not want to be seen/stared at by others as it's next to impossible to hide your face. The dermatologist did not say much, other than how to apply it.....I now know why!! The severe non-stop itching was the worst part for 'me'. Nothing I was told to use (anti-itch cream and Benadryl) gave me much relief. Sleep became hard to get (even though I was exhausted), felt nauseous at times, irritable, and loss of appetite. Back in my day, a sunburn was just a sunburn. You stayed out of the sun a day or two and then we'd be right back outside in the sun! I pray I never have to use this again!!!"

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2022

"My prescribed treatment was a 5-day treatment for a compounded cream that included 0.005% calcipotriene with the 5% fluorouracil. My face looked like I had fallen asleep in a tanning booth. Sunburn appearance beginning day 3 of 5. After completing the 5-day regimen, 3 days later my face looked like I had a tan, but it was 2-3 layers of dead skin. The dead skin was thick, hard, and would stubbornly come off over 10 days. The skin around my mouth and the crease of my nose would split and weep. Now at day 10 of post-treatment recovery. It is too soon to judge effectiveness. This is a painful, prolonged treatment. I believe there are other treatment options (such as blue light treatment) which are effective, less destructive to the overall skin, less painful, and shorter patient recovery. If not offered, ask the physician if these would work for you before signing up for the fluorouracil cream treatment."