Fluorouracil topical and Pain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Tan...
• January 28, 2021

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Started Efudex on nose, lips, chin 3 weeks ago. Very red areas, ulcerated, pus, very painful. I had few instructions from derm or pharma. So, googled it. Seeing derm tomorrow. I was meant to do this for two weeks, twice a day, then two weeks, once a day. That's for center nose, lips, chin, as had SCC lip and excision 3x5cm. After this area, I do the same on one cheek, then other cheek, then forehead. Not all at once due to the danger of anaphylaxis. On the nose, it is a small area, very red, etc. Lip lower, all along and below, itchy, painful. Will post how it goes in a few weeks."

• Pal...
• May 12, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "I used fluorouracil cream for the first time in 2018 for AK spots on my face. I applied a.m. and p.m. for 1 week. By the last day, my face burnt so bad I would almost cry when washing my face. I had more spots than I thought. I was told the cream would only affect areas that needed treatment, and I agree. The main spot I was treating didn’t completely go away, so the dermatologist told me to apply again this past December (2019). I was dreading it, and the dermatologist said the second treatment wouldn’t be as bad. I didn’t get as red or flaky, and the pain was pretty much nonexistent (except for the areas that I didn’t really get the first time). So, if you have to treat the same area again, it’s not going to be as bad as the first time. I have never really tanned, even though I tried really hard... grew up without sunscreen, slathered baby oil and iodine on, and used tanning beds for years after they first came out. Only in my 20s did I realize I needed to use sunscreen because I hated being burnt."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2019

For Actinic Keratosis "I just completed a fluorouracil 14-day/2x per day treatment on my forehead for actinic keratosis. Progressive reaction during this and three previous treatments in the past 15 years have been consistent and typical: redness, dry crustiness, mild discomfort in the last few days. End results a month after treatment have been good: smooth, normal color skin. I’ve never experienced side effects until now. On the first day after treatment, swelling began in both eyelids and in the area below both eyes. On the second day, today, swelling is less in lids but severe below one eye. I thought the ointment may have gotten in my eyes via my bed pillow. My dermatologist says probably not and that swelling will resolve over the recovery period. I hope he is correct."

• Dav...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2022

For Skin Cancer "I tried fluorouracil 12 years ago with great results and applied it on my face again 5 years later. The first time, my whole face was red with blotchy sores. The second time, the areas were less sore. Yes, I looked hideous and was self-conscious in public. I did this around Halloween to fit in. I am using it again to clean up any new spots. Each time, there are fewer sun-damaged areas. It is a bit painful for the 2-3 weeks I apply it, and I feel like a freak in public, but the results are incredible! No more scaly and dry spots. No more getting zapped with liquid nitrogen. Some of my sores from the cream bled a little and scabbed over. I also treated my arms the first 2 times with great success. It isn’t an enjoyable experience, but the results are well worth it! It rejuvenated my skin with new, softer, and healthier-looking skin. My treated skin truly is soft as a baby’s bottom. Many agree with me. Truly a miracle cream. Do it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2020

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Been on fluorouracil for 1 month, can't take it any longer, the pain and fully unbearable itching, sleep is impossible. This is not a treatment, it's torture. I would never put myself through this again."

• mas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2019

For Keratosis "Using fluorouracil for the second time. This time on the hands and neck, the first time was on the face only. The first time I went 2x/day for 3 weeks on the face. Very, very sore and uncomfortable, but it did heal and worked very well. The hands take a bit longer to show any spots. I applied 2x/day for 3 weeks, getting some crusting and scabbing now, but wonder if I should have gone longer. The neck is acting like the face did and is very spotty and quite sore. I only went 2 weeks on the neck, but I think that will do it. I'll repost after I heal and find out whether it was long enough."

• Aus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2017

For Actinic Keratosis "The chemist (pharmacist) suggested the generic brand for Efudix, which for me is APOC - 5FU (fluorouracil 5% w/w cream). I have been applying the cream twice a day for the last week, and my face looks unsightly as the cream has brought out all the precancerous AK - my face is very red and a little sore, but not unbearably so. It is also itchy - I have three weeks to go for the treatment, so hopefully this treatment will negate me having to go to the next step of biopsy then removal by surgery. If it does, then I will consider it a great success. Best wishes to all other AK sufferers."

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

For Actinic Keratosis "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."

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

For Actinic Keratosis "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!"

• Low...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2022

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "At 75 years of age, had eczema all my life, then developed skin cancer on my arms, chest, back, and neck. I done a full treatment on both arms at separate times, went through a lot of pain, took 6 weeks to slowly clear up, then started to look great, so pleased, then noticed it coming back slowly, a lump here and there. Now the arm looks bad again, but took 6 months, so disappointed. Don't know what to do now, and I am so emotional. Thank you."

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

Fluorouracil topical 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!"

• Hel...
• September 13, 2021

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "My husband was using Efudix cream 5% for 2 weeks. Though painful and itchy, too extreme, he was prepared to see it through the course. Last night was traumatic as he awoke shaking uncontrollably at around 4 am. He soothed his face with cool water and a soft cloth, reapplied cortisone (Triamcinolone Acetonide 0.02%) cream, and took more Panadol Forte (paracetamol 500 mg plus Codeine 30 mg) before going back to bed. It’s now just past midday, and he’s taking more pain tablets and going to sleep after a light lunch. He said he’ll now try Efudix on a small area soon on the back of his forearm and see how it goes. Due to see the dermatologist in 2 months' time. We know of other people who have benefited from using Efudix and feel it’s really worth trying more for a good outcome. Thank you."

• kh7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2024

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "The best thing ever. Minimal to no pain (I didn't even need aspirin). Great reaction. I can't understand why doctors would want to sit and watch things when they have this in their arsenal. It is unsightly, but so is a lesion eating away at your face."

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

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "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."

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

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "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 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."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2018

For Actinic Keratosis "I have been using 5 FU for 3 weeks now, once a day. I haven't had that bad of a reaction YET. The SCC spot on the side of my nose did start reacting right away, so have a lot of other spots on my nose, and a few other spots on my face as well. Showing me, yes, I have done a lot of damage all my days enjoying the outdoors without sunscreen. I have 9 more weeks to go, uggg. Has anyone else used this for 12 weeks once a day? Am I going to have a long 2 months of pain ahead of me? Or since I'm using it once a day, maybe the reactions won't be as severe."

• For...
• December 5, 2020

For Actinic Keratosis "I've had a 'remarkable' reaction to this fluorouracil cream. It burned through multi-layers of skin in the center of my face - and like a 'T' across my forehead. Once I stopped using the cream, I tried several things to relieve the pain I was still having due to the peeling. Without question, the 'Bacitracin Plus' (with pain relief) (in the RED package) is the best of all. It has a topical analgesic in it, called 'Pramoxine HCl'. The manufacturer used to include Lidocaine, but has discontinued that in favor of Pramoxine. I now apply it to all of the affected area in small circles gently - and give it about 3 minutes to fully work. You'll need to apply it about every four hours - while awake - as newer, drier, flakier skin surfaces."

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

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "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."

• Sus...
• December 6, 2022

For Actinic Keratosis "Used Efudix 5% cream on solar keratosis of the upper lip. The dermatologist prescribed it for two weeks, warning of a 'cold sore-like' localized reaction. On day 10, my upper and lower lips blistered badly, where the cream had not been applied. Very painful, but I persisted with the treatment until the end. Warm, salty water applied regularly relieved some of the pain. At night, I slathered my lips with Ungvita Vitamin A cream, then a thick cream for nappy (diaper) rash on top. Both lips were blistered, cracked, and bleeding. They're healing now, and I hope the keratosis is gone."

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

Fluorouracil topical 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2025

Fluorouracil topical for Actinic Keratosis "I've been taking Tolak cream once a night for 20 days now. Very difficult, painful, itchy, burning. I'm hiding inside, started slowly, but now my face is totally crusted, swollen spots all over. So I reckon this means it's working as I watched some YouTube videos with people using Efudex (also fluorouracil 5). Now my dermatologist has said to stop using it or give it a break for a while. I have an appointment with her in 3 weeks. I'm just afraid it won't have got rid of it all as I was supposed to do 28 days. Any ideas?"

• Anonymous
• February 12, 2009

Fluorouracil topical 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."

• Tru...
• August 5, 2015

Fluorouracil topical for Keratosis "Worked great for me, some pain but when I was done my face was like a baby's butt. Stay home for 30 days"

• Nad...
• September 26, 2013

Fluorouracil topical for Skin Cancer "I have found this cream is fantastic. There is a good deal of pain when using it but it kills the precancer cells. Read the directions and follow them."