User Reviews for fluorouracil topical

I admit it - I love the sun. Being fair skinned, this isn't a great thing to admit. I have had spots frozen off in different areas of my face, had the mohs procedure on a basal cell carcinoma above my lip, done the blue light treatment and I have used this medicine previously on my forehead and nose with fantastic results. This time I am using it on both cheeks and chin. As with my previous experience, the first week nothing seems to happen, then I wake up one morning and 'ah - there it is'. Once the skin starts getting pink I could rapidly tell the medicine working. 16 days in and my face is swollen, bright red, crusty and uncomfortable. I am wondering how I am going to make it to 21 days. I physically don't want to apply the creme to my face. My prescription is 2-3 weeks/twice a day and my dermatologist wants me to stick out the 3 weeks - but 4 1/2 more days seems so far away. I know the end result is worth it and I am thankful she didn't prescribe it for 28 days.Read More Read Less

I have used this cream twice daily for 4 weeks, then 0nce a day for 2 weeks. I am in the final week I used the cream on my left arm. It got all scabby and rough, itched, burned, then the cabs started coming off when cleansing, skin is red but looks like new skin, still sore a bit. Until I see my Dermatologist again I will assume that everything is going as expected. I will see my Doctor tomorrow.

I am 11 days into a two week application to my face. I have redness and what look like sores all over my face. Very itchy. I am suppose to apply a thin amount Crisco on my face to start the healing. I called back to make sure I heard that right. She said Crisco was pure and would moisturize. I am 68 and have always worn hats and sunscreen. Fair skin.

After reading the descriptions from other people who have used this I expected to be very uncomfortable at the very least. On week 3 I began to experience a mild itching and minor discomfort, so maybe I am one of the lucky ones. Am using it on the back of both hands (VERY fair skin-lost my pigmentation some years ago, am so white I almost glow in the dark) so far it appears to be working. I have experienced far more pain and discomfort by accident when hitting a finger with the hammer, etc. My advice is suck it up and deal with the discomfort, it beats the hell out of surgical removal.Read More Read Less

I am into my second week of using Fluorouracil. I have been using the 50SPF for face and lips when I go outside and it also helps to hide the redness. I am checking with my doctor to see if that is okay but I thought I asked about that when I saw her in the first place. It is important to wear a hat especially with the UPF to protect you. My neighbor got me a booney hat with 50 UPF at Cosco for $14.99 and it's been great. I feel silly but what is important is that I get rid of the cancer and don't get it back. I am hopeful that my results will be positive. Will write again after the treatment is over and report the final results. Read More Read Less

I've used this liquid that rubs in twice, this time 2Xday for 14 days on my nose and area to either side. Once dry, You can put Vaseline on the area once it has dried which helps. I've also found running a vaporizer in the room helps. Drinking lots of water, about double what I usually drink, gets rid of the headache and the odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. I buy gallons of distilled water as tap water doesn't agree with me. It makes me tired but fortunately I'm retired so I'm taking it easy. I will do another round later on my forehead and cheeks, one at a time I think. Definitely the larger area and the twice daily applications have caused more side effects and I'd rather do a round every 2-3 months than feel worse by trying too much at once. Oh, and it does give me hiccups about once a day. I hold my ears and take a drink of water and they go away. Read More Read Less

At 75 over the last 25 years I have had a lot of nitrogen freezing, biopsy, surgery, Mohs Surgery, and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) or blue light therapy (five times, once had to shave my head) for my skin cancer. Some comments on Fluorouracil topical after using it for six treatments: 1. Eye brow, 2. Bald spot on back of head (biggest problem is painful to sleep. Found I could use one of those airline neck supports worked perfectly for my bald spot). 3 & 4. Both sides of my face from the sideburn up to the hairline. There again I found that airline neck support worked great to relieve the pressure on the treated area when I slept. 5. My forehead. 6. My nose - just completed my two-week treatment of my nose and looking forward to it healing too. All in all, Fluorouracil topical works great and is the most effective but also the most painful but well worth it. The most effective pain relief I found was using ice packs (ice cubes in a baggie) and for small areas like on the nose, I cut a finger off a disposable glove, put the ice in the finger, and used that to apply. It helps deaden the pain (after you do it a few times, the pain goes away). Can’t put the ice cube directly onto the skin or it melts the ointment and it runs down your face. One thing I’ve found that really helps the burning sensation is Aquaphor Healing Ointment. I didn’t put it on the treated area but the area next to it that gets some of the spill over but also hurts and burns and it really helped. Next time I see my dermatologist, I’ll ask if it’s okay to put it directly on the area that has been treated. Bleeding; I take a blood thinner so may have more of a problem than most. I found using a dark pillowcase and putting an old t-shirt over it kept my pillow from looking like a CSI crime scene.Read More Read Less

The instructions say to use 2 - 4 weeks, I applied the cream to most parts of my face, it took about 5 days to see red spots where the skin is damaged, At the end of week 2 my entire face was red, and burning, my skin felt like leather in some places. I called the doctor complaining about my discomfort and he recommended stopping treatment as evidently it did what it was suppose to do, and he prescribed a hydrocortisone cream which I was told to mix with Vaseline. This combination relieved a lot of my pain. I am now waiting for the redness to go away completely.Read More Read Less

Diagnosed with Squamous Cell carcinoma in 2013 when my family doctor suggested I see a specialist. Scaly patches turned out to be Actinic Keratosis, and one of the nasty patches was removed and found to be cancerous. After that, I was put on this cream for 3 weeks, and my scalp looked like a pizza. I am now on my second round of this treatment, and on day 13 - the pizza is back with double pepperoni. It really looks terrible, but I know it works and it is very much worth the side effects. All of the nay-sayers should consider that this is really nothing compared to doing nothing, as skin cancer takes a lot of lives. Ny neighbor - who was also of Scottish descent - ignored the patches, and ended up with full blown skin cancer on his scalp, and he didn't make it. He died at only 32. This is a medicine that works, but has painful and unsightly 'side-effects' that make it difficult to be seen without covering whatever part you are treating. Take time off if you need to, but don't stop taking this because of side effects. Talk to your doctor, or do whatever you have to, but just finish treatment. Your life is too important. At 57, I'm not ready to go out, so I will do this for me, my family, and my grand-kids. I won't complain because this is really good medicine. Try to keep a good attitude because the end result is well worth it.Read More Read Less

I've taken fluorouracil a couple of times before, but in the past did it in 2 treatments â?? first the scalp on my bald head, then my face. I also think I might've had it prescribed for treatments of two weeks' duration.. This time I tried a more macho approach and did my face and scalp all at once. Also, my dermatologist prescribed it for three weeks. He said I could stop it earlier if Dead skin cells showed it had killed off the pre malignant skin patches that had turned red. By day 11 many spots turned red on my scalp, and pretty much my entire face turned red! By day 14 the burning discomfort was making me wonder if I had chosen an overly macho path. Day 18 I awoke in the morning with a swollen face, puffy eyes, a couple small dark patches, and a couple small bleeding crusty areas. My face seemed to be telling me this was an adequate treatment duration (I'm also an M.D.) ,so I cried uncle at day18 and completed the treatment. Looking forward to my new layer of baby skin. Read More Read Less

My Dr. prescribed this for Vaginal precancerous areas. I had to use it for 6 weeks, could only get thru 4. It has burned all of the skin off internally and after 5 months still has not healed. I've tried Neosporin but its not working and there is too much burning and itching in an area I cant do much to. Any other medications work for anyone to help the healing? the only thing that helps is .5% cortisone cream and taking a benedryl but the Dr. told me to stop the cream.

I just finish a 14 day application on my forehead, temples and cheeks, the last few days have been uncomfortable especially after a shower. The Dr. did tell me it may be uncomfortable and my face would turn red and blotchy so I was prepared. Based on other posts here I expect a beneficial result in a few weeks of healing. I will be wearing a hat and 50 sunscreen when I play golf!!

I hope that the satisfaction will be at five stars, as this is my first time with this treatment. I elected to go with vs. freezing off.

I have basil cell carcinoma on my face. Basically the reaction to the treatment depends on the damage. Not much damage, not much reaction. I have had treatment three times and this time I have areas all over my face. I believe this treatment is more comprehensive and hits all areas equally. I had Ultraviolet treatment last time, but am certain areas were not corrected. I am 4 weeks into treatment (stopped applying after 2 weeks) and I have sunburn like drying and peeling issues still. Using Aquaphor for dry and cracking. Should be done in a week or so. Time limit depends on damage and application.Read More Read Less

I have just started use of the Fluorouracil 5% and when I picked it up from the pharmacy the pharmacist told me to put the cream on and then use the old tub of Vaseline to put over it. That might help those that are having cracking and bleeding. You feel like a grease ball and it will stick to clothing. I am on my 4th day of use. I don't see any changes or don't feel any heat. I'm sorry but I had to laugh at some of the descriptions so at least I know what I can expect since I didn't get much info from doctor other than I'd hate him after about 2 weeks. The comments here have given me more info. I'm not laughing at you but sure I'll be in the same boat as most of you unless the vaseline helps with dry and cracking. You might try it if you aren't using it. Thank heavens I'm retired and have a clear calendar for 2 weeks, but sounds like I need to clear more!! Hang in there, we're all in for the same reason. Read More Read Less

I have used this product several times over the last few years, and satisfied with the results. However about two weeks into treatment this time I developed a couple very tender areas on my scrotum ( I was only applying it to my face and forearms) that looked like an abrasion and after a couple days began bleeding quite a bit, also some irregular white lumps that were very sore,however after I finished the treatment this all cleared up in a few days without further medication. Very sariefied with product. Read More Read Less

Am on day 27 of Flouroracil 5 cream. My cheek has been bright red,ugly,blotchy, slightly stingy and tingly for weeks. Work colleagues keep asking what's happened to my face and can't believe it's just sun damage repair! It looks very unsightly and strangers can't help but stare at my freakish red cheek. However, I am 100% determined to finish my 5 week treatment because it seems to be working. After showering, my cheek does start to dry out and sting. My skin gets very tight as the healthy skin gets stretched by the eroded scabby areas. The extent of damaged skin has been a big shock to me because most was not visible before using this cream. Before resorting to this cream I had used Sainsburys Organic Apple Cider Vinegar on a compress/plaster to kill/remove other unwanted blemishes such as facial warts and other marks. It has worked perfectly every time and leaves no scarring at all. Just 6 nights of treatment destroys ugly and unwanted spots/marks/warts completely. Apple Cider Vinegar is absolutely amazing and delivers miraculous results but it is no good for treating larger areas of Solar Keratosis which is why I am using Flouroracil 5% cream. I keep hoping that my cheek will look a bit better tomorrow but it always looks just the same. It really does spoil your appearance and affects how you feel. You feel very tempted to abandon the treatment altogether but sometimes great results require great sacrifices. I hope it will be well worth it. Don't want to have to use it again so will be wearing factor 50 from now on. Read More Read Less

I work outside and live in the South, so I have developed Actinic Keratosis (AK) and Basal Cell Carcinomas. After applying the cream to my face and after about 7 days, I started to look like I stuck my head in an oven. Very painful cracking and some bleeding if you don't moisturize properly. The 5FU pulled the cancers out like corn flakes and after 3 weeks, my face was clear and baby skin smooth. This stuff works. Period.

After 30 days of use (twice a day) on small spot on side of nose I experienced much redness of surrounding tissue (nostril, side of nose,etc. but within 2 weeks after treatment Aquafore greatly relieved the dry,crusty areas, however, white lumps have developed. What are they - Dr. not concerned?

At 55 I have had dozens of biopsies, several scrape and burn treatments, nitrogen freezing, incised areas and Mohs surgery on my face. This cream is amazing and I could avoided most of those other treatments and costs if a doctor had prescribed it sooner. Yes, burn, itch, scab peel...but so much better than ALL of the appointments, pain, healing and high cost of other procedures. My four siblings and both parents have endured the curse of fair skin and sun. All of us have been very happy with the results of fluorouracil. Just be ready an plan for the process. Small, tolerable areas at a time. Read More Read Less