User Reviews for Zyclara topical

I have applied the creme for 14 days and have no reaction. No changes at all.

I am 65M with several Actinic Keratosis spots on the forehead and cheek area for 5 years. I used a 7.5g pump bottle in the normal pair of 14 day application periods. I had the expected nasty inflamed appearance of the application area. There were minor flu-type symptoms for the first few days. Later there was minor bleeding and discharge. I wore a hat and reduced my outings for a few weeks. I avoided washing the effected areas to avoid disturbing the healing process, and I think that helped prevent scarring. The second application period was less intense with a less inflamed appearance and less bleeding and discharge. I think a 14 day application period might be too long and maybe 7 to 10 is better for some people. My skin seemed to be trying to heal after 7 days and the later Zyclara applications seemed counterproductive. The Zyclara cleared up one worrisome larger AK spot that was growing and constantly inflamed and I was concerned it might become a BCC. Also it cleared up several small AKs. Many previously hidden AKs seemed to be made visible and successfully treated and hopefully they are gone. Some established AKs were completely unaffected during the Zyclara treatment and they remain. Interestingly, an AK over the left cheekbone was cleared up by the Zyclara, while a similar but older AK over the right cheekbone had no reaction to the drug and it remains. Overall my condition has improved, the unexpected side effects were minor, and so I am satisfied with the results. Read More Read Less

This is my second go-round with Zyclara, so I had a good idea what to expect from a few years back. In my case, no flu-like symptoms or cold sores (I'm using the Zyclara on my bald pate), none of the lethargy that others seem to experience. But the sores certainly ARE noticeable! I look like I've got leprosy! When I'm out, I wear a hat that covers most of the affected area, and otherwise try to make a joke out of it. Still, as others have said, the worse the appearance, the better the Zyclara is working and the more you needed it! Certainly better than surgery (or death)!Read More Read Less

I chose "very satisfied" as my satisfaction with the product because I except to be so. However, I am on day 10, and I have cold sores on my bottom lip as well as red bumps on my forehead and a few on my cheek and nose. My lip is so painful that my upper jaw aches. I am taking Advil for the pain and the inflammation, and it seems to help. I don't recall being told that I could take Advil. The pain in the lips are worse when I sit up, so I am lying down a lot and doing much sleeping. The only thing that helps is to drink cold water from a water bottle. I have chilled small bites of watermelon, but really, I am not that hungry anyway. The WORST pain is in brushing my teeth. I have not come up with a method that works, but I am determined to brush. Looking toward the end.Read More Read Less

I didn't realize the severity of the effects of this treatment. I applied it to one spot on my face and I have several breakouts around that area. Can someone tell me how to treat those horrible spots. I have itching, swelling, and signs of infection. I am currently using Neosporin cream. Doctor did not give advice on how to treat the spots when they appear. Is there a particular way (product) to clean the area on my face??? I certainly hope the end result is worth the aggravation and my worry now is that I will scar from this process. My skin is fair and freckily and I scar very easily.Read More Read Less

I am 62 years old and fair skinned. I have now completed the second two week application of the drug. My reaction during the first two weeks was much worse than the examples shown of a severe reaction. My entire forehead and the sides of my face were swollen and crusted. Side effects were not too bad with mild dizziness, indigestion, fatigue, joint pain and occasional nose bleeds. The reaction was much worse after day 10. It seemed that the drug was absorbed more directly into the skin through the ulcerations. The swelling and pain certainly got worse. I recommend you avoid applying it to open weeping areas. It took roughly 3 days for the drug to stop acting after stopping application. The whole area scabbed over and peeled within 7 days after that and I was left with pink baby smooth skin. I was very reluctant to start the second 14 day application because I had read that some people had experienced immune system changes but by the end of the healing period I felt fine so I began the second application period. The second time was not as intense as the first in that I did not develop large weeping sores but all the areas affected the first time reacted again and new areas on the edge reacted. It was also much itchier the second time and felt like I had ants crawling under my skin. Again it became much worse 10 days after I began because the skin was so crusty that the drug was more readily absorbed. Three days after completing the second application period my forehead is still swollen and sore to the touch. The itching has reduced but heavy scabs are forming and will soon begin peeling. Over the last 6 weeks I have come to hate this drug. The reaction I had suggests that I needed it badly. However, the science on the drug's mechanism of action, dosage, efficacy and unanticipated immune system effects does not seem very clear. I hope it was worth it.Read More Read Less

I am using a gernaric version of Zyclara. My schedule of application is different than all others had. My doctor told me to use it every other day, 3 time a week. There are 24 little packets that hold .25 grams. I was told to put it on my bald scalp, forehead and cheeks. I am into my 3rd week of using it and I have red scaley patches all over my cheeks and the back of my head. The skin has pealed in some spots but not ozing. I did develope a cold sore on my lower lip but was not using the cream there. It's hard to cover everything with .25 grams. I am 70 and over the past 10 years Ihave had 5 blue light treatments, freezing, Solaraze and some other gel that I can't remember the name of. I do not know why my schedule of applications is different than all othere here have mentioned. Even the manufactures directions are 2 weeks on and 2off and two on. As I mentioned the cream I am using it the gerneric version which is hard to believe because the insurance compant paid $629.00 and I paid $20. I am hoping that at my age this will be the last treatment of this type.Read More Read Less

It is on my head behind my right ear and the cream is hard to put on. All day I was scratching at it and last night. I really hope it works as it is so itchy!

Very effective but same experiences as many. Head fog and flu like symptoms at day 10. Tough to get through all 14 days of first cycle of treatment. Found that wetting skin before applying helps administration.

I used Zyclara for 2 months, applying it for a week and then taking a week off. I have to say, it does work, almost like a miracle drug. I had many pre-cancer spots on my forehead, face and shoulders, that stayed there for years, despite annual freezing treatments. Zyclara cleared up these spots, and they seem to be gone permanently. As for side effects, it was a terrible experience, but only for the first couple of weeks. Basically, the first week of treatment was Hell, the second week was Heck, and the third and fourth weeks were Gosh and Golly. So, only the first week of treatment was painful. For that first week of treatment, it was like being hit with both a body-aching flu and a sleeping sickness at the same time. I slept ten hours a day and couldn't think clearly enough to carry on a conversation. By the second week of treatment, it felt much better. The worst side effect is how it looks for the first couple of weeks. The red sores and scaling skin are so ugly that you don't want to see anyone. By the third and fourth week, the redness and ugly skin scaling is minor, and you feel like you can socialize again. Bottom line, I'm glad I did it, and would do it again if needed. But I would plan on hiding from the world for the first week of treatment. Max Moore, 2013 Read More Read Less

lower lip broke out with blisters now infected

By day 5 of treatment for upper lip area started to get sores in my mouth. Bottom lip has swelled and cracked. Very fatigued. The infected area is red and sore but tolerable. I was not warned about other side effects. I have stopped treatment for a day. Glad I read instructions about sticking with 14 day cycle at max even if missing some days. I am going to keep using it but pray this does not get worse.

I just finished first course of treatment and only lasted 12 days because of the oozing and pain of the open sores was so alarming to me. When I went back to doc for follow up, she said that is what it is supposed to do if there are pre-cancerous lesions and that I should start to heal within the next 4 days. I will follow up to let you know if I do heal well. My other side effects were swollen nose area and dry itchy eyes, plus just not feeling well and looking awful while at work. However, if this treatment helps the pre-cancerous areas from getting worse, I'll take the side effects. Read More Read Less

Only on day 11 after 2 days off and this sucks. I liked reading all the reviews to find out about others people's issues. I have an over 29 spots removed by laser, scraped and MOHs. This experience is not like those. I feel like a freak and thank goodness I stay home causes I am not sure how one could work like this. I am fatigue, stomach aches, dried lips, eye problems, itchy and red. All on hairline and chest about 85 spots. My doctor suggested I put lotion or vasoline on them during the day. I have used anti-itch lotion and Benadryl liquid to help. I am praying I can finish this 6 week process!Read More Read Less

Was experiencing rough skin patches on bald scalp and face. Applied 2 wks on scalp, then 2 wks face; repeat. So 2 rounds each zone. Red sore spots are prominent, lots of itching and irritation. No oozing or open sores. Experiencing a bit of nausea from time to time, medium fatigue, some mental fogginess. Mild depression. I have 1 week remaining in treatment routine. The lotion goes on fine, and the little packs are easy to work with. This product is worth the side effects in my case. Be sure to read ALL information about applying this very strong medication.Read More Read Less

I was prescribed this medication for sever AK and in response to squamous cell incidents. I experienced all the the reactions mentioned in other reviews. In addition, I developed severe mouth sores. I'm only half way through the treatment. Hope it's all worth it!

It's interesting reading what others have written. I had the flu before I started treatment. Had surgery on my ear and chest one basil cell and the other squamous cell skin cancer. I just started using Zyclara last Tuesday and my face has red spots a couple tender but if this is going to get rid of skin cancer I am all for it. I have done a lot of damage to my skin over the years so now I am turning over a new leaf. I am usually an upbeat person and all of this has brought me down some but I am very thankful I went to a dermatoligist and I am taking much better care of myself now. Thank you God for bringing this to me. Best wishes to all.Read More Read Less

I am 42, fair skinned, blonde. I am on my 2nd of the 2 wk treatments. I had breakouts from the med along my hairline, temples, neck and chest. The ones along the hairline were painful in the shower. Some started to itch but I used aquaphor during the day. I would say my reaction was moderate. I think the older u are with more sun damage, the worse your reaction is going to be. I hv been upfront with people who notice the lesions and say I am going through a skin cancer treatment and every one is very supportive. I had mild headaches and flu like symptoms during the first 2 wks but not much this session. Those symptoms resolved quickly once I stopped the applications. It's amazing all the sub clinical areas that this med brings out that u wouldn't have seen for awhile. I recommend this treatment especially if unarmed younger. Read More Read Less

I have been treated with this product for a couple of years. It is effective but horrible to go through. My forehead is what I'm working on right now and after 10 days I can't do it anymore. I have called my derm about it and await his response. Warning with UPPER lip. Becuase of possible nasal drainage my upper lip was so affected I was Dx with Impetigo. I looked like a monster!!I am suppose to go 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off and 2 weeks on again. It is effective but the treatment is rough.

I was prescribed Zyclara by my dermatologist because of sun damaged skin on my chest and face (forehead). He told me that there would be some red blotchy spots when I used it. I was to use it daily for six weeks with no 2 week break. After about four days of using Zyclara my chest and head had begun to look bumpy (red bumps like a rash). It continued to get progressive worse in appearance to the point where my sores were oozing and bleeding. I also experienced considerable fatigue, loss of appetite, sleeping 12 hours a day, aches, and my chest was extremely sensitive. I called my doctor’s office and he looked at my chest and forehead. He said I was in the 5% of people that would have this effect. I stuck with the treatment for the first two and a half weeks. After this time, I was not able to apply the cream anymore as the sores were crusted over. My doctor suggested no to do the remaining few weeks and to see him after it heals. The treatment definitely works. However the rather serious side effects of lethargy, lost appetite, aches, pain and an awful,( not just blotchy) red, scalely, oozing , appearance were not what I expected. People who are given this treatment need to know in advance what they may experience. Please ask your doctor for all details in regards to this treatment. My skin looks great now (2 Years later) and I'm ready for one more treatment (starting tomorrow) to cover the areas I did not cover the first round.Read More Read Less