Efudix (Flouroracil)

[AKAsomeoneelse]

I’ve name changed for this. I’ve just been prescribed this cream for solar ketosis on my upper lip. My GP warned me that it would make my skin sore and sensitive but I’ve made the mistake of googling and it sounds like some people are in agony with it ☹️ I’ve got to apply it once a day for 3 weeks. Has anyone had experience of using it please? How did you get on?

Sorry, that should be keratosis, not ketosis!

How have you got on? I’m literally sitting here having just applied the cream to my lower lip. Day 6 and counting. It’s reacted in the last day or two, like a sunburn.

I used it on my upper chest area, and sorry to say that I had to stop due to the soreness,, like I'd been burned. DH on the other hand, is currently using it on his cheek and he feels fine. It's obviously an individual thing - good luck.

@Beanie567 and @ShippingNews - just saw your posts. I’ve been using it for 2 weeks now and it’s just made my lips a bit dry. I’m wondering if it’s actually working. The red area on my upper lip looks exactly the same. I’ve got 1 more week to go.

I’ve finished the 10 days of treatment on my lower lip and it was fine for the first 7 days and hard for the last 3. My lip is horrible to look at and I’m hoping it heals up very soon - I’ve heard the mouth and lips have a good blood supply so it should be quick.

im glad I’ve done it though and I’m sure it will be worth it. I’m surprised AKAsomeoneelse that your lips haven’t reacted - mine suddenly did around the 10 day mark.

@Beanie567 - my lips have been a bit more sore this week but nothing too bad and not scabby at all. I’ve been using loads of lip salve but hoping that is not stopping the cream from doing its job - I haven’t found anything to say you can’t do this just that you have to give the cream 20 minutes to soak in before applying moisturiser. Have you been using anything on your lips?
It’s good that you’ve finished your treatment. I hope you heal quickly. I finish mine on Monday.

Hi, I've been prescribed this for a basel cell carcinoma on my forehead. Stupidly I also googled it and can be horrific apparently. Also can I ask about side effects I've read it can cause sleeplessness, diorreha, ulcers and hair loss? Is this true? I mean I know its a type of chemotherapy but I'm surprised a cream can have these side effects. Thanks

Hi! I used this a couple of years ago for two patches on my face , one right under my eye

it was a little sore and a bit stingy after the first week but it was bearable and I didn’t have any other side effects . I think a lot depends on how big the area is you are treating to be honest

Just finished 3 weeks worth on my nose... it went sore red and scabby, but a week later is looking better already.
Hopefully it won't need repeating, and I'm now wearing factor 50 all day every day!

Ah thanks for your replies that is very reassuring. It's my 3rd BCC on my forehead and due to not having alot of excess skin for another surgery the consultant recommended the efudex cream. I've totally upped the anti with the factor 50 I wish I'd done it years ago but can't be helped now. Good luck with your journey and fingers crossed all goes well

Same TUGGY2006, same.
I'm freckly and a child of the 70s/80s and burnt to a crisp every summer (and covered myself in what was basically cooking oil as a teen)
I had a keratoacanthoma (milder than a BCC but VERY ugly) removed years ago and was warned I was very young to have one and would be high risk for skin cancers... and yep. That one scarred as it had to be cut away and not much skin under your nose!
At least this one has hopefully been burned off as it was right on the top of my nose.
Factor 50 all the way now!