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3.3 Overall Rating

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Most voted positive review

34 People found this comment helpful

I have read a lot of reviews and taken the treatment (day 3), if you are deciding on whether to do this procedure just know the more your skin reacts the more likely you really needed to do this. This is my second time and I had used Efudex before, this picato is a lot quicker. There is no doubt its painful and scary but I was okay and hope it was worth knocking out the bad cells before they becom...

Most voted negative review

5 People found this comment helpful

I used 2 tubes of the medication on my cheek. I developed blister looking patch and went back to my doctor who said I had developed a staff infection while using the medication. He advised not using the other tube and now I have to take antibiotecs for two weeks and use a topical creme to clear up the staff. not sure what the outcome will look like after the treatment. My doc says I should not use...

Shared reviews and ratings

Monk | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/28/2023
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Used many years ago on my nose because I had a prior nose basal cancer. Nose blistered, red etc. very uncomfortable. Since then I continued to have crusts needing freezes and recently another basal cancer on nose. Essentially went thru pain and it did not work to prevent skin cancer. No wonder it was taken off the market in Canada. Plus all of this including the drug was expensive for something that did not work.

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Anonymous | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
3/31/2020
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Ineffective compared with Efudex. Waste of time and a huge amount of money.

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Dianne | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/26/2019
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Picato worked very well for me. No pain with using it. A little discomfort tightened skin. But i would like to know if u can use face powder or makeup on the new pink skin after crusty falls off?

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Claire | 65-74 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
8/2/2019
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I was put off by many reviews, however one encouraged me and I am glad I took that advice. I did not have pain, yes my nose was quite red, (my hubby called me Rudolph!) and it did go crusty and a little weepy in patches (I became Crusty the clown then!). The entire process took about 2 weeks, however I was out and about after 3 days, when I applied a little make up to hide the redness. I did not need painkillers or any other medication. Maybe I was lucky? My only advice would be to treat small areas at a time, rather than your whole face. Read More Read Less

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Anonymous | 75 or over | Patient
7/19/2019
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This Review is for .015% Picato gel for use on face and eaars. The product is from Leo Pharma in Denmark-manufactured in Dublin, Ireland. It is packaged in a box, which must be kept refrigerated, that contains three very small tubes – one for each of the required three days of application. The recommended coverage is no more than 25 cm2, an area equivalent to 2 by 2 inches. Each tube contains the amount for the recommended coverage area. The retail pharmacy cost is ~$1057 per pack. Insurance coverage varies. I can say that BCBS/SC does cover for a $20 deductible. They show their cost as $1041.27. I first noticed small areas of some sort of growths around my face and especially my nose. I came eventually to the knowledge that I had something called Actinic Keratosis (AK) (see why you should be concerned-Skincancer.org) The dermatologist upon entering the room took one look at my face and said “you’re a perfect subject for Picato gel and a test of physician ethics” She went on to explain that a dermatologist could make a lot of money surgically removing the multiple disease area s over time or get maybe a couple of office visits by recommending the gel. She then proceeded to point out the downsides – cost of gel, the likelihood of pain ranging from moderate to severe and facial degradation while process worked itself out over several weeks. She did not pull any punches and her description has proven accurate over my course of treatment. Prior to starting treatment, I researched the Leo Pharma website in Denmark and found a file link to about a 20-page package of documents giving information on everything about Picato that was a great help. I also found the latest FDA advisory on the drug and, of course, I searched for all related forums. The most interesting and arguably controversial was usage amount i.e. 25 cm2 per application. To properly treat my condition, I would need a lot more coverage than recommended by manufacturer and the FDA, if I was to be completely dRead More Read Less

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Anonymous | 55-64 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/14/2019
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This gel only requires three applications over three days. it did cause some redness and minor irritation, but I wanted the scaly patches to disappear - and it worked. Also, it's a naturally derived product, which I prefer.

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Cindy J | 65-74 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/14/2019
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Hi, I am writing to tell of my experience with Picato because everything that I read before doing my treatment made me very scared. After day 1, I had no reaction at all, maybe a little redness where I applied it.... to my nose, cheeks and upper lip. Day 2, 6 hours after applying, it was red, warm and dry. It was not painful at all. Day 3, same thing. It looked like a sunburn, felt warm and dry. Today is day 6 (3days after completing) and the areas where I had AK's are peeling and are still a little red. I will see my Dermatologist in Sept. and will know then how it worked. I am grateful for the posts so that I was aware of the possible reactions, but wanted anyone that may be looking into this that you may have a mild reaction as well.Read More Read Less

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Anonymous |
3/8/2019
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

From the reviews I have read, I am not going to use this gel. Why any doctor would prescribe this procedure and not prescribe a pain medication is beyond me..

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Susan | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
12/15/2018
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I used gel on whole face 2 vials, then 1 and then another 2 (recommended by Dr and applied by Dr). I am at 5 week post treatment and it has been a nightmare. My face was agony from burning, beetroot red, super dehydrated.No real aftercare advice from picato manufacturers. I was Prescribed cortisone cream for redness, developed contact dermatitis, prescribed oral prednisone, and my skin is still super red everywhere although my forehead skin is red and dark colour which has left a distinct line around the top of my forehead. Dermatitis has left scarring around eyes and my face looks worse than before. I am using vitamin E oil at the moment as ordinary moisturiser makes dermatitis flare up. I hope this will settle but am not at all hopeful. I would never recommend this product to anyone. Read More Read Less

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Kirby | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
11/16/2018
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 1.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have sensitive skin and mentioned my concern about doing this treatment but was told it was the best option for me. It was a nightmare that I won't be repeating. I was prepared for minor discomfort as it was discribed as being like a case of sunburn. Unfortunately it was much worse. It felt like someone had placed battery acid on my skin and the pain was intense. My face was red and swollen within the hour and didn't ease. It felt like I was poisoning my own body. It was all over my face not done on the 2in by 2in suggested in the literature. It continued to get worse and found that it didn't settle. I slept better thanI thought I would due to some alcohol asistance something i normally wouldn't do but it definatley helped. I got migraine on the first day as well then had a bad headache for the rest of the day. My body really didn't like this proceedure. The next morning I washed my face and used the QV moisturiser and this woke the pain to a fever pitch. It went from being painful to agonising. My face puffed up and my eyes and nose swelled. I began to have problems breathing and began to itch all over. Went to medical center was given a large dose of antihyistermine placed on a nebuliser. I was too sick to continue treatment. It is day three now 2 without any further treatment and I am on steriods as well as the above mentioned to amnage the symptoms that still linger. I still cannot feel my lips have a semi pemanant head ache. I will not be using this treatment every again and believed I would have ended in hospital if I had continued and had the second dose. I have a high pain tolerance so I knew some thing was wrong when things went from bad to worse. My face is still swollen but has gone down considerably.I don't mind looking bad but I feel as if I have poisoned myself with this product and wonder if it will remain on the market as there seems to be a lot of adverse reactions to this product A spot test should be used and it should be applied sparingly. Read More Read Less

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AK Freedom Seeker | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
9/12/2018
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This is the third time I have used this product to rid my face of AKs. This product does work and much better than the two other products I used prior to having been prescribed Picato. Application is easy, I know have it down pat and use a small makeup brush to apply to just the spots and slightly around the affected area. Application was in the evening: minor burning around the 4 hour mark Next morning nasty sunburn look and huge yellow water blisters the size of a dime - much larger than the spots I applied to on the bridge of nose and on each side of the nose. Forehead had a blister the size of a quarter and the surrounding area was sunburn red. All blisters broke during the day Applied the second tube the following evening.... remember I have used this drug before with great results.... Morning wakeup call was not so bad, yes the skin was very red, the nose was swollen so I knew the drug was working. I used the .05 on my face!! Day 4 - dry scales and flaking - applied polysporin to aid in dryness and healing swelling had subsided. Day 5 - more polysporin - lots of flaking skin and it is bright red sking Day 6, 7, 8, 9 - more polysporin Day 10 - flakes gone skin - still red but able to apply sunscreen and coverup to hide the redness Day 16 - skin looks brand new Love this product and yes, it can be nasty but the alternative of progressive BBC is much worse. I know I will have to return to many treatments of Picato as AK does return again and again, sometimes same spots, sometimes the same area. Don't be worried - apply as directed - cover your skin after all tubes have been used with a healing cream or ask your doctor for a prescribed one to ensure you have it on hand as it does make a difference. Remember it is the end result you are going for not the "pretty picture" in between. Best if luck to you all this drug is great with very little down time considering. Read More Read Less

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Kris | 55-64 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/19/2017
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I used this for an AK right above my lip. Directions say don't use on lips, so I tried not to let it touch lip area. I used it at bedtime, which you are not supposed to do, I learned later. During the night, it was stinging a lot, and I rinsed it off after six hours. By morning, my lip looked like I had lost a fight--very swollen and red. After reading other reviews, I discontinued use rather than risk worsening effects.

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Anonymous | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/5/2017
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

This medication does work! I have used it 3 times now, and not every time do I get the same reaction ... one time I thought it barely did anything, but this last time (this week) my face is very red and swollen. I used 2 vials and am saving the last one to use on very specific tough to get rid of spots after this treatment. I use Neosporin w/pain reliever after the last day of treatment as it does help my skin heal far faster.

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DH | 45-54 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/10/2017
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I saw my new derm last Thursday. Saw some AK spots, but also others. Could be other AK or Rocsea. Put it on first night at 7 and about two hours later, lots of red and heat on face. Day 2, put gel on about 9:30. About 2:00, some significant discomfort and slight pain. Day 3, woke up to swollen right eye and peeling skin under right eye. Took a shower late last night and came out with a lot more peeled skin. Day 4, very red on places in used it. Spread it around parts of my face to cover as much area as doc was looking to see if there are other issues going on. I have used Aquafor to combat discomfort, tightness and heat on face. I just wonder how long the red spots from Picato will last for. Because skin is raw from use, no sunscreen on face or back of neck, where I used any leftover Picato.Read More Read Less

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Sandra P | 45-54 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
7/10/2017
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I first tried Efudex for 4 actinic keratosis spots .3 cm or 3 mm or 1/10 inch diameter 3 years ago. I did this for 1 1/2 weeks. It got into my sinuses ( taste it). I had 3 months of night sweats. (I was not menopausal - checked bloods via professor for protein that indicates brain signal for menopause), it was this GP (and Professor) who told me to treat the field or I would have cancer in 3 - 5 years. The dermatologist (10-15 years experience) said it could not have been the Efudex, but anecdotal evidence from 3 other premenopausal women, had months of night sweats after Efudex. This year I was told by a GP (30 years in skin cancer clinic) it sounded like it had gotten into my blood stream. Two years ago, I tried a different dermatologist (30-40 years experience), the 4 spots were then about 4-5 mm (or 1/4 inch) in diameter with flaking skin every (3-6 weeks). He recommended Picato in 1 cm (about 1/2 inch) diameter application area centred on each spot (i.e. about 4-5 cm square total). His nurse applied a 1.5 mm (1/12 inch) sphere of Picato 0.015% gel to each of the 4 spots the first morning. I then followed up putting this on at 6 am for the next two morning while working as a teacher in front of college students. I wore makeup around the spots, left it on for 6 hours, washed it off at lunch time and completed my makeup before afternoon and evening lectures. It burns alot if you think about it, when busy teaching, answering questions I did not notice it. Sleeping each night I did. It got rid of the largest spot under my eye, other 3 still flaking. I couldn't get into same dermo, so missed last year. Skin cancer clinic GP guided me in a face field treatment for 13 Keratose I have now, 5 flaking. Same Picato, 2 mm sphere for all forehead, 1 mm sphere for each temple. 2-3 mm sphere for each whole cheek, 2 mm sphere for nose to forehead. Then using about 1mm sphere went over 1 cm circle for every 3 spots again. Used remainder over back of hands. PTO next comment Read More Read Less

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Ripped off | 65-74 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
5/8/2017
Condition: Other
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The makers (LEO Pharma) do not guarantee that "Picato gel" will work. I have had many scaly sun spots removed in my 67 years - mainly by freezing, and "Efudix" cream. I followed all the makers instructions for the use of "Picato" on a small actinic keratoses on the top of my head. I experienced no burning sensation or discomfort. Two weeks after application there was no change. The gel did not work, so I had the spot frozen to remove it. I returned the three tubes, packaging, and a chemist receipt for $139.99 to the makers. I received a 'phone call from a female Representative of the Company to thank me for returning it. She advised me that the product does not work on all skin types, and she would contact the chemist to ensure that they were storing it correctly. She refused to reimburse me the cost of the product as it was a Company policy not to do so even if the product appeared to be at fault! Read More Read Less

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KIM | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/20/2017
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I used three times and my pre-cancer lower lip has improved, side effect was minor compaire with another medication

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Holly L | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
4/8/2017
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

The first time I used it on my face there were three small spots. The third day of use was somewhat painful and 2 spots came back. This time I had 2 larger areas, each about 1.5"X2". I ended up in the emergency room. Morphine and Percocet did not ease the pain; thy had to give me a decent dose of dilaudid. My face looked like second degree burn. My face is extremely swollen including mouth and eyes although I did avoid those areas. The ER doctors and nurses treated me as if I were just pulled from a fire-that is how bad I looked. Do NOT USE THIS ON MORE THAN A COUPLE OF TINY SPOTS - you will regret it!Read More Read Less

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Ouch | 35-44 | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
3/22/2017
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Sensitive Skin Stay Away... Doctor applied only 1 x Super small Vile and BAM BAM.. my face was Swollen, Red Raw, Burning and so so painful. I payed $150AU to have only used One... WOTTT.. And just because it blisters,tight,drys up how do we actually know after allll this seriously bad pain it actually Worked... :'(

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hassian | 45-54 | On medication for less than 1 month |
11/30/2016
Condition: Red Patches from Sun Exposure on the Face or Scalp
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I used picato on the forehead. The pain wasn't to bad but the scabbing and swelling was immense. On day 5 and 6 one of my eyes closed up from the swelling(I was cautious not to get it in the eyes). By day 4 I looked like I had fallen off a skateboard and face planted the bitumen. I can't comment on whether it works because I am only at day 6. I was told everything would be cleared up after a week of use. Because its on my face its hard to go to work looking like this. It seems to be very aggressive medicine Read More Read Less

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