Efudex Forums (Page 2)

Used Efudex on back of my hand a year ago with little reaction. Had to use again & this time hand turned into Krakatoa! Scabs & weeping spread beyond immediate application site but understand this can happen. However, also have tiny pin head size blisters among & around the crusting with accompanying itching which I haven’t noted in other experiences on here & wonder if it’s an allergic reaction or part of the “process” & I just need to find something to ease the itching. Any advice really welcome as this time of use is becoming quite scarey ## While those can be normal side effects, it is always best to have your doctor check things out to be sure. Other side effects to Efudex may include skin color changes, swelling, and dryness (the last of...

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My husband has been prescribed Efudex for 10 days (morning and evening on his scalp). Also, Dovonex twice daily and pop-Desonide twice daily (as needed). Which cream does he put on first, second...? Thank you.

I have used Efudex for four weeks and i now have a lump with a hard crust around it, and it is sore and itchy. What should i do? ## Hello, Judy! How are you? Have you informed your doctor, yet? The U.S. FDA does list the dryness/crusting as being possible side effects of using it. It may also cause abdominal pain, headache and mouth sores. How long has your doctor instructed you to use it? ## Medline Plus states "If you are using fluorouracil to treat actinic or solar keratoses, you should continue using it until the lesions start to peel off. This usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks. However, the lesions may not be completely healed until 1 or 2 months after you stop using fluorouracil. If you are using fluorouracil to treat basal cell carcinoma, you should continue using it until the...

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I am on week 5 of using Efudex just above my baby toe. Really hard to wear shoes so pretty housebound. The pain has been excruciating the last few days. Tried Tylenol, Tylenol 3 and Ibuprofen - and nothing works. Can anyone recommend something? ## It might be best to speak to your doctor to find out what might help you the most, and do so safely. Efudex has been known to cause some pain, redness, and irritation, to the treated area as side effects, along with itching, and darkening of the skin. Has there been any change? Are you on any other medications?

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I have used Efudex twice over several years. I wonder what will help the redness that happens after the crust has peeled away? The affected area is upper lip and side of nose. ## Hi Ren, have you finished taking the course of Efudex at this point? Medline Plus says "If you are using fluorouracil to treat actinic or solar keratoses, you should continue using it until the lesions start to peel off. This usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks. However, the lesions may not be completely healed until 1 or 2 months after you stop using fluorouracil." It also says that the redness is normal, except in cases of a severe red skin rash (which should be reported as a serious side effect). Would you consider your case severe? As to treating the redness, you may be able to apply an over the counte...

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I used this prescription on my forehead twice a day for 10 days. Removed all my ak's. Has now been about 1 year and a few are returning. You must apply a very thin film. It did turn bright red after about 7 days. Remains that way while peeling. About three weeks after stopping treatment. Not much pain for me. Just too much time hiding at home. Don't use any cosmetics while treating. Never do your whole face at once! ## I agree completely. I did the exact treatment in 2014 and have been using this product on and off since then. Only a few have returned to this day. Works great for me. I experienced minimum sting or itching. You must use a very fine touch of cream and then rub it in. Keep treated areas small. Never exceed over 9 x 9 inch or it will get into your blood and cause pa...

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Can anyone explain the stages and what to look for. I’ve been on Fluorouracil for 23 days suppose to do 4 weeks all over complete face . But face is peeling in some areas and turned a yellowiish crusty in some places. Also cracking and bleeding in tiny spots. Should I keep using it or is this the erosion phase. What to expect next?

I have quit treating my face and neck with Efudex and I am still peeling and having breakouts and the usual recovery. I am still treating my arms and hands. My work commute is 45 mins to 1.5 hours each way depending on the traffic with the average time in my car 2 hrs per day. When can I start getting that much sun exposure and it be safe? Always wear sunscreen too. ## Hello Daisy, According to the [1] NIH Efudex page warnings section it says that exposure to ultraviolet rays should be minimized during and immediately following treatment with Efudex because the intensity of the reaction may be increased. To me this sounds like you should avoid exposing the treated areas to the sun until it has completely finished recovering. The NIH goes on to explain that the redness and peeling typica...

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After applying Efudex to the scalp after a shower I experienced shortness of breath at about 3.00am in the morning. This is not recommended - I should apply it mid to late afternoon. I have had no further effects since doing this. Has anyone else experienced this? My doctor said I may be allergic to Efudex. I hope not. ## Hello Ern, Your doctor is absolutely right, nowhere on the efudex website or the NIH/FDA warnings does it say that shortness of breath is a common effect of administering this medication. It sounds very much like you are allergic to this medication and I strongly suggest that you have your doctor run some tests to verify if you are safe to administer this medication. It would be tragic to have your throat completely close up because you were administering this medicati...

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hi i have been prescribed efudix for an ak on my cheek. i was give a leaflet which showed some really scary pictures of treatment, of course, when googled its even worse!! I wonder if anyone has used this on only a small patch on their face and if so did their whole face end up being affected as ii have read in some of the stories. has anyone not had any of the adverse side effects that the pictures show? ## My face has patches of dry skin on my forehead and on my chin is this cream good on face. And can it be used for vaginal itch or vaginal yeast infection. If it can be used on face and vagina how often should it be used on these areas? ## Hello June, Unfortunately it does seem to be that nearly all users experience the physical changes in their skin. I did do some research on how to ...

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I have been using Efudex on spots on chest, arms and legs for 2 months now. Most spots have blistered and turned into weeping sores, some have crusted up and turned into scabs. They are all extremely itchy, the itching drives me crazy when I’ve got these sores arms, chest, legs. Around Some sores that have scabbed over further red spots/lumps have come up surrounding the original sore, like it is spreading. My doctor told me to keep using Efudex until the sores have completely healed and disappeared, is this correct? Putting Efudex on the crusty sores usually stings like mad ## Hello Glyn, According to the medlineplus government page the instructions are as follows. [1] MedLinePlus Gov "If you are using fluorouracil to treat actinic or solar keratoses, you should continue usin...

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At 94 this is my second year of need and I think I did wrong by ignoring the first sign of an eruption. Last year it was just one spot on my forehead and took five weeks to clear. This year I ignored the first signs and continued long walks in the cold windy weather and that I think caused the spread from one side of my head to the other. As I cannot stand attending a doctor and it takes three weeks to see one,I used out of date Efudix and it worked as well as ever. My only problem now is hiding the scabs and removing the "snow storm" from wherever I walk. Please can anyone tell me whether if I have another attack will an immediate application of Efudix prevent it spreading? My health otherwise is as near perfect as I could expect.

My mother was told to apply this cream on the backs of her hands and arms up to her upper arms as her skin was covered in spots. After a week her skin was so red and swollen that she couldn't bend her elbows to answer the phone or bend her fingers to grip. Now two months later her hands are still red and very sore and her bones ache in her hands so she can't grip things. ## Yes, this is used to treat certain types of skin cancer. The NIH lists the typical side effects as possibly including skin redness, irritation, flaking, and dryness. The severe swelling, however, is a concern and is an issue she should have checked out by her doctor. Has there been any change? Or is she still having these issues? Is she on any other medications?

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effudex cream for pre-cancerous skin treatment ## I think you mean Efudex. Efudex and Carac are prescribed for the treatment of actinic or solar keratoses (small red horned growths or flesh-colored wartlike growths caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation or the sun). Such growths may develop into skin cancer. When conventional methods are impractical--as when the affected sites are hard to get at--the 5 percent strength of Efudex is useful in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinomas, or slow-growing malignant tumors of the face usually found at the edge of the nostrils, eyelids, or lips. Efudex is available in cream and solution forms. ## Based on my research, Efudex (fluorouracil) Solutions and Cream are topical preparations that contain the fluorinated pyrimidine 5-f...

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How to use and side efects ## please give me detailed description of how to apply and how long to apply efudex-40 ## I would like the same information onEfudex-40. How long should it take to kill the pre cancer spots on my face if I use it twice a day as recomended? I was told to keep using Efudex-40 until the sore improves & heals, is that correct? ## efudex contains the active ingredient Fluorouracil, this is a pyrimidine analog, used primarily in the treatment of cancer. That said, you should always follow your doctors or pharmacists instructions regarding directions for use and the duration of time it is necessary to use it. this site is not medical professionals. Some common side effects may include: diarrhea, dermatitis, mucositis and cardiac toxicity. You can read more about ...

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