Efudex cream
I have used this cream before, and I'm supposed to use it every day for 4 weeks. My skin starts to go red, crusty, swollen and weepy after 3 days. And the most I've lasted is just over a week on the treatment. Has anyone else experienced this?
Hi
- thanks for starting this forum and sharing your experience with Efudex. I hope others are able to chime in with their personal experience, but I did want to share some resources we have with you. We have a content hub all about topical chemotherapy and the symptoms/side effects that may come with it: https://skincancer.net/topical-chemotherapy-guide. I hope this has some helpful info for you! I'm curious if you've talked to your doctor about the symptoms you have when using the treatment. If so, have they offered any tips on how to address those symptoms? -Alexa (SkinCancer.net moderator) 
I think it definitely depends where the lesions are. I have used Efudex many times over the years. In areas where the skin is reasonably thick it is possible to endure the discomfort until the job is done. However I recently used it on my chest area where the skin is very thin and I gave up after seven days due to weeping and crusting. Too many sleepness nights and just too painful. If you don't think you can cope with it, ask for an alternative treatment.
Great advice to ask for an alternative treatment! We all know our bodies best, so it's important to advocate for the best care possible. -Alexa (SkinCancer.net moderator)
I can’t use Effudex because I feel like I have flu and I end up bedridden. The redness and irritation I can bear. The dermatologist says that I have a systemic reaction to it. I tried immiquimod but got same side effects. I get my doctor to freeze all my AKs. I don’t get any side effects other than a localised reaction from freezing.
That sounds awful! I'm sorry to hear about your experience with Efudex, but it seems like freezing your AKs has been a good option for you. Have you tried any other treatment options? -Alexa (SkinCancer.net moderator) 
thank you for your response. What kind of side effects do you get from freezing? I have had many things frozen lately and each time my experience is difference depending on where the cryotherapy is applied. Scott skincancer.net moderator
Hi, I’ve just tried the Effudex, immiquimod, Solareze and the freezing. The freezing works well for me. Are there other treatments for AKs ?
It sounds like you've tried a decent amount of treatment options! Here's a link we have for AK treatment: https://skincancer.net/treatment/actinic-keratosis-treatment. If there's anything on here that sounds interesting to you, I would recommend bringing it up to your doctor! All the best, Alexa (SkinCancer.net moderator)
