Zyclara and Flu-Like Symptoms: What Users Say

• Sdo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 11, 2018

For Keratosis "58-year-old female, fair but I do tan. First basal cell at 27; Mohs surgery x2. Also squamous cells and AKs & SKs frozen every 6 months. Aldara too intense. Been using Zyclara every winter for years. Haven’t been brave enough to do my face but need to. Takes 5-7 days to start seeing effect; usually stop around day 10. It’s like trying to stop a speeding train - continues to intensify for several days after stopping. Oozy, itchy just like everybody says, but it works! Flu-like symptoms because Zyclara stimulates an immune response. NOT topical chemo. I do one area at a time and rotate - back or chest or arms or legs. Stimulated lymph nodes are a normal immune response. If I feel 'flu,' I hold off for 2 days. Believe me, the train keeps running but the symptoms reside. Every other day from there then it’s time to stop. I love that it flares spots I can’t see and heals better than burn/scrape or freeze. It’s a drag, but I’m glad to have the option."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2015

For Keratosis "I am a female in my late 60s, and on day 13 of the 1st round of 14. After tomorrow, I will be off 2 weeks and back on for 2 weeks. I am using it on my temples and forehead. Luckily, I have a lot of hair to cover the red spots that have surfaced on my temples. However, I have had NO flu-like symptoms, NO fatigue, NO stomach problems. Nothing... just a bunch of ugly red spots."

• Est...
• February 13, 2016

For Keratosis "I am on day 11 of a 14-day cycle, and the first week I experienced flu-like symptoms, i.e., achy muscles, fatigue, and headaches. My only side effect now is a slight headache. I am using Zyclara on my face (temples, forehead, and cheek), and my face is looking pretty ugly right now. It looks like an awful outbreak of acne and is very raw. I have more than a few scabs and a lot of redness where I have been applying the cream. It is very itchy and tender, and to be honest, while I am still in the middle of all of this, I have questioned whether I would do it again. I guess it would be better to answer that in a couple of weeks. I have wanted to stop using it, but it is like swimming halfway across a lake. I think I will be happy in a couple of weeks."

• dbh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2016

For Keratosis "First let me start by saying that I have RA, and I used this cream for 11 days. Went through the whole red, blistering, scab, and now smoother skin, however, I did experience all the flu-like symptoms and continue to feel horrible after almost 3 weeks off of this cream. My RA has flared, which has been controlled by medicine for 8 years, and I'm wondering if it is from the Zyclara. I really wish that I had not used this cream, and I would warn anybody with RA to stay away from it."

• No...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2016

For Keratosis "Just finished my second course of two weeks on, two off, two on. I pray this works! The side effects I experienced were between moderate to severe (flu-like, headache, upset stomach). My nose looks like I burned off the entire end, tip. It is very sore, crusting, oozing - very ugly. But if this is the price I pay for the medicine to hopefully work, I've sucked it up! I had MOHS in March of '15, and the new treatment spot is adjacent to the old scar. Praying this works..."

• TMC...
• December 9, 2015

For Keratosis "I took Zyclara for 5 days and, unfortunately, had to discontinue due to acute side effects, including fever, flu-like symptoms, nausea, lack of appetite, and fatigue. I have been off now for 4 days, and other than the fever being slightly lower, the symptoms continue. I used it on my entire face, which is swollen and covered in bright red sores, some draining. This has been a very negative experience for me, but that's the chance I took, hoping the benefits would outweigh the side effects. I believe I may have an immune issue and plan to further investigate that, as I seem to get sick a lot and am easily fatigued."

• MLH...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 14, 2017

For Keratosis "I used Zyclara about a year ago with good results. Many lesions appeared on my head and face, and the side effects were minimal. I followed the typical application, 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, and 2 more weeks on. Everything on my head and face completely healed in about 2 weeks after my 2nd application. Recently, I started treatment on my face and head and noticed more lesions appeared. However, into my 2nd week, the side effects were awful. Severe flu-like symptoms; lower back pain, nausea, sore throat, head and chest congestion, it sucked! I am not sure why the side effects hit me harder this time around as a year ago the side effects were very minimal. At any rate, I stopped using Zyclara, and within 4 days I was back to normal again."

• V G...
• December 9, 2017

For Keratosis "Four years ago, I used Zyclara for two weeks, took a two-week break, and continued the second cycle for one week. During the first cycle, I experienced flu-like symptoms and the open sores. I had to wear band-aids on my face to hide the sores, and it was very uncomfortable. However, within 3-4 months, I received numerous comments about my skin and how healthy it looked. I applied a second dose a year ago to isolated areas and did not have any of the severe issues from the first time. My dermatologist recommended stopping the treatment at the first sign of open sores or major irritation, but I never had to follow that advice. Although the first application's results were extreme and unexpected, I am glad that I did it."

• Sti...
• January 5, 2018

For Keratosis "Two days after I started using Zyclara, I had diarrhea for 2 days, lack of appetite for 5 days, flu-like symptoms, and nausea for 12 days. After 8 days, my cleavage had bright red scrapes, most of which were oozing. After 14 days, I stopped using Zyclara and started again after 14 days, according to the instructions on the package insert. Again, after 2 days of using Zyclara, I had the same symptoms all over again, this time even worse."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

For Keratosis "Took for 9 days and developed terrible flu-like symptoms -- doctor said to stop. Still having symptoms several days later. The medicine did bring out keratosis spots, but not worth the side effects."