Efudex

I used this cream twice per day, for six weeks, as directed by my dermatologist - The initial duration of treatment was four weeks, but I had absolutely no reaction to the cream whatsoever at the two week point, hence extending it to six weeks. The Efudix cream was prescribed to treat precancerous sun damaged skin and a suspect Basal Cell Carcinoma on my face. I have read lots of reviews where people say it isn't too bad, or it is a really terrible process, remember that everybody's physiology is different, so there is no way to predict your reaction. At the three weeks point, my face turned very red and the skin started to scab either side of my nose and under both eyes. Applying new cream on those areas was painful, as was the application of sunscreen.... This discomfort also resulted in really poor sleep. The comment someone made about being stared at as though you have the plague is soooo true ha ha, so be warned!! It is worth mentioning that the cream is photo sensitive. I applied SPF 50 over the treated area (ouch), wore a hat and sunglasses, but if the sun does hit the area being treated, it is uncomfortable. I also found this to be the case indoors, with sunlight coming through windows. I can't say it hasn't been a pleasant experience for me and I am at the recovery stage, so I will have to see what the results are like over the next few weeks. Good luck!

I used this for Actinic Keratosis per my dermatologist recommendation. It worked well and my skin is currently healing. I used 2 X day for 10days. I don’t have the full results yet but it was easy to use.

This medication has caused the most pain I have ever experienced. Per dermatologist instructions, I applied Efudex twice daily to my bottom lip for a stubborn AK that wouldn't respond to the liquid nitrogen. I stopped using it after the 7th day due to the pain. The following 4 days have been the most excruciating. It feels very similar to the liquid nitrogen sting yet continuous. Woke me up at 2:30am. I'm taking Ibuprofen every 3 or 4 hrs. just to be able to manage. It hurts to even breathe. So difficult to eat or drink, as well as talking. I would never recommend this medicine to be applied to the lips. I have no idea how long this condition will last, but I am angry and in constant pain.

This salve was given me to treat a small skin cancer. After a few days a few red spots appeared on my skin a various places. I asked the doctor what these red spots might be, he answered that he didn’t know and left it at that. The red spots continued to appear and some became quite large areas of red spots. They are painful and some of them are weeping which I think helps them to spread. Now I am in some pain with violent reactions to wearing clothing at times. Some of the red spots burst and spread and cause more red spots and the whole of my body has these areas. I am losing lots of sleep, I am always stopping myself from scratching the severe itching. My skin looks dreadful and my doctor has not been able to source a diagnosis and treatment so I am off to the Dermatologist in four days time. I now have expensive pills for antihistamine and further antibiotics to try and give me some freedom from itching and perhaps get a little more sleep.

I am using this for the second time. First time was on my face. After a couple of weeks I felt as though my face was on fire and I had to stop applying the cream. But it worked wonders in terms of preventing new actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinomas. Skin looked a good five years younger than prior to the treatment. Now I am using it on my upper forehead and scalp. (I'm bald.) Not nearly as bad as using it on my face. Some minor burning and itching, but nothing compared to what I experienced before. If you can tolerate the discomfort -- it's evidently much worse for some folks than for others -- the results are excellent.

Diagnosed w Solar Keratoses. Rx: 2 applications per day x14 days then 1 app x7 days. Last 2 apps were tough but doable. Now post Rx 5 days. Bacitracin zink ointment has worked on the pain and itch somewhat better than moisturizers which burn w app or natural oils. Keep absorbent cloth close by to wipe fingers after touching the itch.

Horror story. Began with a 5mm skin blemish, lower leg; Consultant diagnosed Bowen's Disease, did not inform me of what treatment would look/feel like. Treated Efudix for 6 weeks, steadily increased in size to a crusty black/red wound 30mm diameter. Pain almost constant & severe, needed Codeine 30mg (between 4-8 daily) . Saw 2nd Consultant after 16 weeks, diagnosed as full-thickness ulcer, black solid "scab", treated with hydrocolloid dressings - no effect after 2 weeks (4 dressings). Have bi-weekly dressing changes planned. Unsure if Efudix caused the ulcer or it just happened in the exact same spot.

Maybe the other reviewers were using this cream over a larger area than I did. Every now and then I get a bleeding "pimple" on my face. It has always turned out to be a skin cancer (not melanoma). I got tired of having them cut off so tried this cream. I use it every time I go by the sink using a small amount on a toothpick (why does it come in such big tubes) for a week. It scabs up but I have never had any pain. I let it heal for a week and repeat. Every time it has worked. I have been told that it does go bad in the tube and you should use fresh tube, I guess after the expiration date. Again, why do they have to make such large tubes (I think smallest is 4 ounces)? And it's expensive--or was. This is way better than surgery.

I did my treatment over many months by applying twice a day to one arm for 21 days and then did the other arm. My skin became very red and arms swelled to twice the size. I used ice packs to help with pain and Benadryl at night to relieve itching so I could sleep. The results are baby smooth skin and basal cell carcinomas are gone. This is a painful treatment with excellent results. I uses Aquafor during the healing phase.

I have been using this cream on my upper chest and neck are for about 10 days now. I have scattered red inflamed patches of skin, was expecting that. What is very uncomfortable is that I have also been having watery diarrhea since about day 2. It’s not bloody as in the warning list but very uncomfortable stomach rumbles and profuse diarrhea. Not sure if this is a common side effect or not. Any suggestions would be welcome!

3rd time using on face. History of Basal cell cancers on face and hoping to avoid further surgery. . Previously no problem with efudix, scabbing of course, but little pain. This time applied 1x daily for 18days. large red patch with orange patches. Some white dead skin spots. Lots of pain over last three days and problems sleeping. As others report, boundary of nose and face is worst. Using codeine and paracetamol at night. Stopped application today as I think I am in erosion stage and using mild steroid and suncream and moisturisers. NHS in UKis under great pressure and leaves you to decide for yourself when to stop treatment.

This is my third time using Efudex in 10 years. I cannot say it gets any easier but I do have less of a reaction than initially. The two weeks are absolute torture. The worse the reaction, the more you need it. I already had Moh's surgery for basal on my nose and getting my nose cut off was 100 times worse than Efudex. The pain, itching, sores, and bleeding are normal. I am prone to cold sores and I can feel one brewing from the Efudex. It is attacking all that lies beneath and purging all my sun-sins of my youth.

I used Efudex about 20 years ago - back then was told to apply 3 times daily to my entire face. No additional creams or makeup to be used during process. No sun!!! Within 5 days my face became a pepperoni pizza (my kindergartener loved it). Pain, burning, swelling... But I stuck with it and the results were great. Took 5 weeks. Much better skin. So, now I'm doing it again, but doing a smaller area at a time. I use morning and night (doc said once per day... just want to get it done). Redness followed by flat scabs happened quickly. Itching and swelling started at day 5. I know it is eating up the bad stuff, so trying to just tough it out. But I don't stay in hiding like I did last time (I got depressed!!). I put about three layers of makeup (and sun screen) on and let my friends know it is not contagious... And am hanging in there. I think it is magical medicine. Good bye pre-cancer!!!!

I was diagnosed with Bowens disease in October 2021,my pre cancerous cells where on both sides of my buttocks in the most sensitive area there is. After using Efudex for 8 weeks on two parts of the cells I was in agony...burning searing pain and not being able to sit down properly I was told to stop using the Efudex cream. I am seeing my consultant on Tuesday to discuss light therapy treatment.

Cream from bell! I'll tape the knife or the azote 100 time over before repeating tous terrible cream. Pain, burning, Seeping, bleeding, extrême stiffness...

Due to sun exposure I have has several spots removed by my dermatologist. We have spot treated through the years with Efudex and it has always worked. However due to a massive amount of spots appearing, my dermatologist recommended I treat each of my limbs one by one. I used a thin layer of Efudex about one hour before bedtime for two weeks. She told me not to use any other creams except petroleum jelly, which makes it feel so much better. At this time my last arm is in the healing process. It's not fun, but it works!

I have read loads of comments on here a f other people experiences, I have AK and SSC which is widespread on my face, however, what concerns me is the dosage I’ve been told to follow, I’ve been told rocaille every day for 6 weeks with a recovery time of up to 4 months from stopping, I was told to do it for the whole 6 weeks and not stop early...... am a bit worried now as a lot of you are doing every other day or for a month max.....only started today ?????

Had a nearly immediate effect of redness, irritation and burning all over the applied zone on my face and neck. Was so severe that I stopped after 7 days. However within a further 10 days and massive peeling of decayed skin, my face was restored to a normal condition. A dermatologist later stated that she would recommend application only every other day. Conclusion was that the discomfort was worth it as my condition has improved out of all recognition.

A piece of advice. If you finished with the application stage of this medication and are using an ointment such as hydrocortisone ointment or Vaseline, if you start to feel excessive burning and itching, sometimes coming on fairly quickly, wash off your current ointment with a gentle soap and rinse thoroughly. Then reapply the ointment. Chances are, you are sweating underneath the ointment and it is pushing into your inflamed skin. You are literally pouring salt on your wounds. It will burn for a moment, and then the inflammation will calm down some, probably to tolerable levels.

The med is easy to apply, but of late I have experienced severe shortness of breath.dis include other s/e. I interested to understand whether or not it is an allergic reaction. As for effectiveness in treating skin cancer it's a matter of time.