Efudex 5

Creme ## I have been taking applying 5% Efudex cream for two days to my lip per my Dr. Orders. So far, I have had no swelling or any sign of side effects. Does this mean the spot on my lip is non-cancerous? I was under the impression I was to have swelling and pain, and that this cream kills everything allowing the good cells to regrow. ## have to start the efudex 5% cream once a day on upper and lower lips. I am extremely worried about the pain. Is there anything besides aquafor or Vaseline to he help with pain? ## It contains the active ingredient fluorouracil, which is used to treat areas of skin that have been heavily exposed to the sun, or those that have been tested to have Basal Cell Carcinoma. The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including skin redness, irritation,...

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Fluorouracil, 5-FU

Fluorouracil (5-FU), sold under the brand name Adrucil among others, is a cytotoxic chemotherapy medication used to treat cancer.[2] By intravenous injection it is used for treatment of colorectal cancer, oesophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.[2] As a cream it is used for actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and skin warts.[3][4] Side effects of use by injection are common.&...

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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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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My new dermatologist has prescribed a one-week per month treatment over four months, applying Silkis 3 in the morning and Efudex 5% at bedtime. I have used Efudex before in one spot, with the expected itching and scabs. What happens when I apply these creams all over my face and scalp, which don't have many particular keratosis spots? My job involves working with the public. ## My dermatologist prescribed Efudex and Desonide last week! Beginning tonight... 7 days Efudex and Desonide am and Desonide pm, followed by Desonide twice a day for 3 days, then stop for 3 weeks. Repeat 4 times after that ! ## How did this protocol work for you? Do you react quickly. How soon did the redness go away? I’m using a Efudex and a synthetic D3 derivative gel called Calcipotriol. I mix them 50-...

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Has anyone used Efudex on their head? I'm interested in any side effects on hair deterioration or loss. ## Hello Hoody, Reportedly this will be determined by the amount of efudex that you need to apply. If applied topically then the medicine will not be absorbed into the bloodstream and thus will not cause hair loss like other forms of chemotherapy treatment. If it is necessary to apply enough cream that it will absorb into the blood stream then you will start to experience typical symptoms associated with chemotherapy such as nasuea, vomiting, hair loss etc. Below is a link to the source of my information. [1] Efudex Treatment I hope this answers your question. Let me know if you would like to know anything else regarding this medication. ## Thanks so much Kevin. Will be a 14 light...

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Just letting everyone know that I just did the newest Efudex treatment protocol which requires mixing 50% Efudex with 50% Dovonex (vitamin D) and it was very fast and easy. Four days of application of the combo "lit up" my face and 7 days later my face and scalp were virtually back to normal. Minimal pain, like a sunburn, and no scabbing, pus, etc. I was really scared to do the longer treatment after reading blogs and looking at pictures, but the new treatment is a piece of cake. Plus, according to related articles, it actually works better. A real win-win! "SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. – A four-day topical combination regimen of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and calcipotriene removed almost 90% of facial actinic keratoses – significantly more than with 5-FU monotherapy, in a rando...

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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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Need all information about this medication please. ## I have been told to apply Efudex to my lower lip, isn't this crazy? ## Not really. It is listed in the drug monograph that it can be used topically to treat certain cancerous or possibly cancerous conditions. ## Has anyone used it on their lips? Won't it just keep bleeding non-stop? ## Heidi- I've used it on my lips three times. Each time it was an application morning and at bedtime. Though about the second week it gets very sensitive and blister-like lesions appear that means it's working. I applied a product called Acquafor (like Vaseline Jelly) to seal it and protect). The healing takes some time but the outcome is worth it. ## I just used Efudex for 2 weeks on lower lip. from day 7 blistered and ulcerated and wept...

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I am scheduled to start Efudex Nov. 2 and am apprehensive based on a friend's bad experience and other things I've read. My Dr. said that things have improved dramatically within the last year with a better formula. He said I will use the cream twice daily for 5 days, then he will see me to place a neutralizer on my face, and then I will heal the 2nd week; reducing the experience from a 4 to 2 week timeframe. Has anyone else heard of this or experienced this? ## Hello, Gina! How are you? What type of bad experience did your friend have? As to an improved formula, that might be true, but the active ingredient that could cause any side effects remains the same, so the FDA still lists them as possibly including skin redness, flaking, itching, and peeling. It isn't really a neut...

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Hi, I have been using the combined cream for 4 days twice a day and totally feel nauseous and a little dizzy. Did anyone else feel this? ## The FDA does list nausea, and dizziness as being among the possible side effects of Efudex, along with administration site reaction, fever, chills, pain, and itching. Ref: Efudex Information Has there been any change?

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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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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 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 am on Day 30 of Efudex treatment on the top of my nose and a small area on my chest. I stopped the cream on Day 28 as the skin was starting to erode. I've had headaches the past two weeks that won't go away with ibuprofen, Goody's headache powders, tylenol... nothing. It's caused me to generally feel like crap. Anyone else have these headaches? ## Headaches are a possible side effect of Effudex, according to FDA reports, other side effects may include skin burning, dizziness, chills, and nasal irritation. How long has it been since you stopped using it, now? Has there been any change? Have you informed your doctor of the problem? ## Headaches are common apparently, as is nausea and other gastric issues. And they can vary a lot between individuals. Serious side-effects ...

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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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Applying efudex 5% cream to scalp as thin as possible. Hours later the area is still tacky/sticky. Trying to tap rather than scratch intense itch spots leaves fingers freshly coated with the cream. Which in turn jeopardizes other inadvertently touched areas...self discipline is not foolproof. This is my #1 issue. I can handle the pain, burn, itch, appearance OK, but not having the cream fully absorb like a normal lotion/cream does, leaving a residue, is intolerable. How do handle this?

I was prescribed Efudix to treat spots on the back of my hands. I have been applying a thin layer daily for 4 weeks. I have had no side effects, no irritation, burning sensations, blistering or pain. The spots have become slightly redder and that's all. Efudix does not have to a nightmare and every case is different. ## That is correct, we are all different, so not everyone will experience side effects while using it. The typical side effects may include skin redness, burning, sun sensitivity, and swelling. Are you still experiencing good results with it? ## Hi. I will touch base with you again early next week. I am meeting the skin doctor on Monday to get their opinion. Still little or no change after 6 weeks. The Pharmacist has suggested twice daily application but I will be guide...

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I have been using Efudex on my fore arms and the back of my hands for two weeks. Three weeks will be the total time of application. I put the cream on at night and try to sleep. I leave it on overnight and wash it off carefully about noon the next day. How soon after application can I use soap and water on the treated areas? Does it help to wash the Efudex off after an hour? I have been leaving it on for hours. When sleeping should i wear cotton gloves and a long sleeved t shirt? I have done that and now have stopped but I am concerned about accidently getting the cream in my eyes during the night. Thanks for any help with these questions. When I lower my arms, I have a lot of pain, especially when I lower them quickly. Is this normal?

Hi, I've been using Efudex 5% twice a day for three weeks on one cheek due to AK and an IEC. I've had quite a mild reaction - nothing until day 7 and then some slowly reddening AKs some of which now look a bit dried out. The IEC was shave biopsied (and healed) before I started and it also went red over the last two weeks but now my whole cheek appears to be getting slightly less red and the IEC has stopped reacting altogether. Not sure if that means I should just stop now? The Dr wasn't very specific. I've used the cream before but last time (over 10 years ago) the reaction was much more severe. ## How long did your doctor tell you to use it? You should continue for the full directed treatment duration. Efudex may cause side effects, such as skin reddening, burning, crus...

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