Efudex combined with Dovonex (Calcipotriene)

...Hi there! We have a discussion thread on this combo treatment. It has a few replies that might give you some insight into what the process is like. I haven't used the combo myself, but I have heard several Efudex users mention using it.


If you are on social media, I can recommend a Facebook support group for patients who are prescribed the combo treatment. I think you will find it very informative. I am including the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/787151491463212


I am also going to tag a fellow advocate. I believe she has used this particular combo treatment multiple times. may be able to give you some specifics.


Wishing you all the best as you move forward. We are here for you!
All my best, April, SkinCancer.net. Moderator

Yes that's what I do. I usually do it for five days and yes it shortens the treatment. I actually did it not too long ago on my face and it wasn't so bad and worked well. Good luck with your treatment and let us know how it goes!

I'm doing it right now, on my scalp. And this is about the fourth "lot" of treatment I've done (face/neck/ears, arms, thighs).
I got on to it like most via the Harvard trial, and a YouTube video a guy posted (probably the one above). But I don't do the 4 day or even 7 day treatment as I don't really think the trial was quite valid; they did four days of each but I think they really should have compared the combo to a longer fluorouracil-only treatment.
Anyway, what I do is 1 week of combo (50/50) AM and PM, then 1 week of combo AM and fluorouracil-only PM, then a final week of fluorouracil-only AM and PM, though if things are really close to done, I might drop the AM for the last few days. If it's extremities, it might be a bit longer due to slower reaction times but usually three weeks is plenty. (My aim is to avoid doing it again, so I go as hard as I can stand it.)
My thinking - and experience - is that the calcipotriene (aka calcipotriol, Dovonex, Diavonex, etc) acts as a catalyst during the early phases while the fluorouracil gets on with the job in the final stages. Do I know this? No. Does it seem to provide a good, reactive result? Absolutely. My scalp is a raw flaming mess and has been since about day 12, though it is probably nearing completion going by the weeping, scabbing, etc. (Charming stuff, 'eh?)
So I effectively do the combo for about the same length of time as the fluorouracil-only treatment, which gets mighty uncomfortable. But for extremities like arms and legs - which I also wrap in plastic food wrap at night to intensify the reaction and limit mess - I think the combo works best. And it kicks things off faster for face, scalp, neck, ears.

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions. I'm on day 4 of the combo treatment. I used Efudex alone 15 years ago. This combo treatment seems to heat things up quickly.