Anyone used Efudex cream ?

[MrsPelligrinoPetrichor]

I will have to use this,pick up prescription tomorrow. The GP said it's going to be very painful but try and ride it out. Anyone else used it and have any tips? It's for a tiny patch on my face.

Happy Easter to me 🙄

It has healed incredibly well, to be fair, but I haven’t had a checkup since (I’ve had two cancelled and rebooked, thanks NHS). I won’t find out until September if it’s gone.

I'm midway through a course but keep having to stop start as it's making my skin v sore and red.
I do have 6 patches on my face so I definitely am not looking my best it it covers quite well with makeup and needs doing .
My dermatologist said to ensure to complete 30 days even if they're not consecutive- I'm probably 16 days since I started but my cheek (the worst patch) had only had 11

Thought I'd update-

I started it late as I went on holiday and didn't want to be using the cream while away so I'm 9 days in so far.

It's making me feel really headachey and nauseous and quite under the weather generally. The area is now bright red and crusty and today is the first day I've asked the cream and it's made me wince a bit. I'll be pleased to finish it.

If it helps anyone else I had no reaction at all.
On my follow up the dermatology consultant said it can sometimes happen.
She didn't say anything about the lesion still being there, or trying anything else, and I can't see it any more - so I presume it's worked.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor OMG! I was treated in Feb 2020 and I was so so unwell. I did have a virus but I felt unwell and lethargic for months after. I assumed covid, but maybe it was the efudix!!

I thought I had a bug but my neighbour also said she felt unwell using it too. So looking forward to stopping it.

Glad it worked!

Update for anyone else who needs to use this-

I stopped a week ago and it's just about settling down now,still very red and inflamed looking and sore. I recommend Paw Paw ointment,it's the best thing so far ,much better than vaseline or La Roche Posay Cicaplast .

I finished about 10 days ago and now there's no flakiness and just a little redness.

Hi, re-starting this thread. I’m nearly done with a 30 day course of Efudix on my forehead. The lesions are real. I also have flu, which is real flu since my daughter has it. I’m shocked by the sketchy info given by the doc and total lack of support. I found loads of it on a facebook group which I would really recommend. Look up Efudix / Efudex users. It’s a mine of information. I also found a thread on Mumsnet about how SO many people got sunburnt in the 70s and 80s! I actually came on here to ask if anyone remembers being given pills to prevent sunburn in the 70s! My mum won’t give me much info and sheepishly says they were actually illegal. I’d love to know more.

I'm seeing a dermatologist in June as I have two more weird things come up virtually over night. The GP wasn't quite sure what they were and the dermatologist couldn't see from the photo that was sent hence the referral.

Hi, I posted last year when I was doing my weekly efudex treatments (once a week for 9 months 😩). Finished the course just before Xmas, glad to see the back of it and the side effects. Hope your dermatology referral goes well @MrsPelligrinoPetrichor and that it turns out to be nothing serious

Thank you. Has your skin settled down? I still have a slight red mark from where mine was , not noticeable when I have makeup up on just bare skin but I do have ridiculously sensitive skin.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor just a white mark where it was cut out and slightly pinker skin around it where I applied the efudex. Only really noticeable to me I think and like you, you can't see it when I've got make up on

@barefoot I remember the 70s/80s sunburn thread! I was one of those kids

Just updating where I’m at with mine. Rough timeline:

• spring 2020: efudix treatment for rodent ulcer, weepy/scabby nose
• autumn 2020: discharge
• summer 2023: re-referral to dermatology for same lesion
• September 2023: aldara treatment (big reaction, very unwell)
• lesion went and then grew back over time, faffing from dermatology dept and many delayed appointments helpful as grew back
• October 2024: punch biopsy- healed well
• January 2025: confirmation of nodular BCC and referral for Mohs surgery
• March 2025: saw surgeon and hoping to have surgery within 3 months.