What does fluorouracil do to your skin?

This medication is used on the skin to treat pre-cancerous and cancerous skin growths. Fluorouracil belongs to a class of medications known as anti-metabolites. It works by blocking the growth of abnormal cells that cause the skin condition.

Does Efudex damage healthy skin?

Efudix cream is for topical application. The cream should be applied thinly to the affected area once or twice daily; an occlusive dressing is not essential. The cream should be applied once or twice daily under an occlusive dressing where this is practicable. The cream should not harm healthy skin.

What does Efudex do to normal skin?

The medication destroys sun-damaged skin cells, but can also damage normal skin and cause skin irritation.

How long should I use Efudex on my face?

Use Efudex twice daily for 2 weeks to 4 weeks (depending on the physician directions) or Carac once a day for 4 weeks (depending on the physician directions). 3. The skin will become red and scaly. This is the appropriate response.

How do you know when to stop using fluorouracil?

After continued application, the damaged skin becomes painful and inflamed with a beefy-red appearance with erosions and crusting. At this point, the medication should be stopped.

What happens if you stop using Efudex too soon?

Discontinue Efudix immediately and contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects: Stomach problems such as severe pain, cramps, bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. Swelling and soreness of the mouth and tongue. Fever and chills.

Is Efudex a form of chemotherapy?

The chemotherapy drug fluorouracil (5FU) comes in a cream called Efudix. You spread the cream on your skin. This is called topical chemotherapy. It treats the cancer cells where you apply it.

How do you know if Efudex has worked?

During treatment, the areas of your skin that have AKs and/or Bowen’s disease will probably look and feel irritated. This is typical and should not cause you any concern. The redness, crusting, and peeling you see are signs that EFUDIX® is working to eliminate the abnormal cells.

How long should I leave fluorouracil on?

If you are using fluorouracil to treat actinic or solar keratoses, you should continue using it until the lesions start to peel off. This usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks.

What does the ulceration stage of Efudex look like?

When Efudix is applied to the skin, the following usually happens: A redness of the affected area (generally within 3 to 5 days) Followed by blistering, peeling, and cracking (within 11 to 14 days) with occasional open sores and some discomfort. The treated skin will then flake away.

How do I know if Efudex has worked?

Can I stop Efudex after 2 weeks?

After 2-4 weeks your skin will be red, crusty, and uncomfortable; this is what we want to happen. In some cases, such as for lesions on the backs of the hands, the body, or for basal cell carcinoma, it might take longer to get to this stage (4-6 weeks). The cream can then be stopped, to allow healing.

What is fluoroplex 1% topical cream?

(fluorouracil) 1% Topical Cream. FLUOROPLEX® (fluorouracil) 1% Topical Cream is an antineoplastic/antimetabolite product for dermatological use. Fluorouracil has the empirical formula C4H3FN2O2 and a molecular weight of 130.08. It is sparingly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol.

What is FluorX ® (fluorouracil)?

What is the chemical formula for fluorouracil 1%?

FLUOROPLEX® (fluorouracil) 1% Topical Cream is an antineoplastic/antimetabolite product for dermatological use. Fluorouracil has the empirical formula C4H3FN2O2 and a molecular weight of 130.08. It is sparingly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol. The pH is approximately 8.5. Structural Formula:

Is fluorouracil an antineoplastic?

FLUOROPLEX ® (fluorouracil) 1% Topical Cream is an antineoplastic/antimetabolite product for dermatological use. Fluorouracil has the empirical formula C 4 H 3 FN 2 O 2 and a molecular weight of 130.08. It is sparingly soluble in water and slightly soluble in alcohol.