Fluorouracil topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma User Reviews (Page 2)

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2021

Fluorouracil topical "My partner and I started applying Efudix at the same time. Me on my nose and forehead, he on the back of his neck. We've both used it before on specific lesions and had good results. He started showing red spots within 5 days. I had to wait 10 days before anything showed up, and I've taken photos of our journey together! His skin is far more reactive (skin damaged?) than mine, and after 3 weeks the back of his neck is a red, sore mass with oozing parts. Time for him to stop treatment and move to recovery. I've applied Efudix to the odd BCC on his back, and his skin has responded well and cleared up beautifully. I'm interested to see how the larger area of his neck will respond. Me, I'm still going. Some areas have reached the erosion stage and are itchy, while a couple of new red spots have just emerged. Looks like I'll be applying for another week until they scab over. Looking forward to the new skin!"

• LMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 29, 2019

"I have had 2 BCCs surgically removed and have several AKs on my bald head. Derm recommended Efudex on hands, arms, shoulders, face, ears, and neck. A huge treatment area. I considered doing this in sections, but derm said just do it all at once. So I did. But I didn't get Efudex, which was $1,000 for 40 grams ($200 after insurance). Actually, it took about 60 grams to cover these areas twice a day for 14 days. So that would have been $300 out of pocket with good insurance. Instead, there was a local compounding pharmacy that does not take insurance, but they worked up a 5% 5-FU mix for $60 for every 40 grams. So, before you fill your Rx, ask your derm if any local compounding pharmacies can make it. Just finished my 14-day cycle of 5-FU, 5%, twice a day. My hands, arms, and shoulders had absolutely no reaction whatsoever even though my hands and arms have had plenty of sun exposure. I’ve read that these areas might require longer treatment times, but since I was only doing this preventatively and had no visible AKs on these areas, I wasn’t compelled to go any longer than 2 weeks. Lower chest had basically no reaction, maybe a few small little red bumps. Upper chest got pretty irritated with a few ulcerations. Never really a bother and just below the neckline, so not visible."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2020

"I’m on day 15, and my face hurts so bad I don’t know if I can do 28 days. Dr. said everything was good, but the pain is intense. After reading the other reviews, I’m going to try to make it at least another 6."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 27, 2018

"I'm on day 8 of a 2-week treatment. After reading about the pain and suffering people go through, I decided to do a 5 cm patch at a time. Started with the left temple to cheekbone area, which was already red patchy spots. By day four, I had 2 very red burned patches on my cheekbone. Wash (gently) before applying each time. Make sure to wait 20 mins. I have been experiencing fatigue and headaches, of course burning at the affected site. Hanging in there. Hope it's worth it."

• jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2020

"Fluorouracil, 4th day @ 2x per day, first time using. Forehead only at this time to see how it goes. I see others post that by 4th or 5th day the splotchy areas are where the cream is reacting with carcinoma cells. Could you not then use it for just those spots instead of a generalized application? Seems like much less masochistic."

• Eri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2018

"I treated my entire face last year for a little spot by my nose that ended up being a BCC. My doctor gave me 3 creams... Tretinoin first layer, imiquimod, and the third being fluorouracil. All three layered for each treatment. I did 5 days on and weekends off for a total of 30 applications (6 weeks). I definitely felt tired and had a general feeling of not feeling well. I can tell you that things are tolerable up until like the 18th or 20th application. Then erupting, blistering painful sores happen at any damaged skin you have. I barely could finish treatment. A year forward, I am now treating my nose and ears. I didn’t know they need a stronger dosage as they didn’t react at all the first go-around. First 3 weeks, nothing reacted at twice a week. Once he increased to 4 times a week and flu symptoms began, stayed right there. Must get in 30 applications however you can tolerate. Painful but worth it."

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

Fluorouracil topical "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."

• Tea...
• February 6, 2018

"Is there anyone using the Fluorouracil 5% for only 7 days a month, and what has your experience been? My dermatologist is having me use it at night for 7 days. Then I stop until the first of March and continue for 6 months. I’m on my 5th day, and nothing except one small crusty area on my cheek. After reading some of the comments, I guess I can expect to see something happen soon. Y’all are all brave people! This is scaring me!"

• Rid...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2021

"Currently on week two applying to my face. I have used the cream on my hands before with good results. This time, my face is constantly burning and stinging, and I cannot get more than an hour or two of sleep before it wakes me up. I am constantly sick at my stomach. I look like a monster, but that doesn't bother me. As with a prior poster, though I didn't apply to my eyes (or near them), it feels like it has gotten into them (very gritty and sore). I'm only applying twice a week per doctor's orders, but he wants me to go 6 months. That's not gonna happen - I'm finished with this. I get lesions cut out 3-4 times per year - I think I prefer that to what I'm experiencing now. I cannot imagine going forward with this treatment - maybe I'm more sensitive than most. The doc said it would be like a bad sunburn, but as one who has experienced more bad sunburns than 99% of the population, I'm calling rubbish on that. With a bad sunburn, it feels better on Day 2, with this, it just keeps getting worse."

• kzn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2021

Fluorouracil topical "I was told it won't work on a squamous carcinoma. Applying to the tip of my nose for 3 weeks and only slightly red with no discomfort, hoping it's not irritating a squamous cancer! On my face for 10 days so far, and red and flaky but no real discomfort. Some of the stories on here are horrific, but so far so good. Will do one side of my face and evaluate the benefits. Big fan of freezing them off, so will weigh it all up."

• bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2016

"Why shouldn't you use this stuff after a shingles vaccine? I got the vaccine and started using fluorouracil 2 days later! My doctor never said anything. Anyone have an answer? I'm still using it and don't seem to be having any worse symptoms than I did in 2008. Although, I did have a pretty bad reaction to the vaccine..."

• Maj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2021

"The pharmacist warned me not to put it on healthy skin. The doctor said not to worry. The pharmacist was right. Still, I couldn't avoid applying it beyond the narrow contours of the lesion, just to make sure I didn't miss anything. Same effects most others have reported, plus those effects continued for weeks after treatment was stopped. Not sure it was worth it since the lesion wasn't particularly noticeable or uncomfortable, and the doctor said it wouldn't spread. I'd say the worse your condition is, the more the treatment is probably worth the discomfort and inconvenience, unless, of course, you're allergic."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2025

Fluorouracil topical "At day 15 of 21, my skin is tomato red and weeping. Ready to abandon the treatment (twice a day) altogether. However, after reading the postings here, I understood I am not alone. You have given me the incentive to finish the course. Thank you all. Advice: If your skin is weeping, do not leave a paper towel over it to the extent it can stick and be difficult to remove without damaging the skin. Just dab. At night, lay a spare pillowcase across your pillow and wash it each day. A medal should be awarded to all who finish the course."

• BCC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2024

"I was really worried about using this cream when attempting to address a small BCC on my cheek. I had Mohs surgery in the past to remove another BCC, so when it was prescribed, I figured I'd treat my whole face to catch anything that I didn't know about. **The healthy skin did not react at all (I'm on day 20, putting it on once a day).** My forehead and sides of my face got the same amount of cream but look the same as always. I have a dozen large spots on my nose, upper lip, and chin. I can understand why people complain about this cream -- if my whole face had reacted the way those areas did, it would be nearly unbearable, but with a few spots, it's not too bad. They're bright red, itchy, some have broken open, bled and scabbed -- I look awful, to be sure -- but overall, I'm so happy I did it. I never would have known about those areas until they became something worse. If you can handle it, I'd recommend it."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

Fluorouracil topical "Have found using Efudex, apply only every 3rd or 4th day. Seems reaction not so bad, and it will do the job in the same amount of time. Works for me."

• Anonymous
• September 17, 2009

"Worked well. Some scarring on the nose. However, I have to use it again. So we will see."

• ler...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2018

"I was treated for carcinoma on my face, which was great. I put my experience on YouTube under Fluorouracil 5 - My Experience."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2015

Fluorouracil topical "Was prescribed Carac for use on arms, chest, and face 7 years ago. At that time, the cream did smooth my skin. After years of discontinued use, my skin where I applied Carac is horrible."

• Los...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2020

"Do not use this fluorouracil cream unless you want to have the sorest, most irritated skin possible for weeks. There has to be a better way to treat basal cell problems on your nose."