Side Effects of Carac or Efudex

Yes common sense reply, thanks, helps to focus my thoughts and this is exactly what I will do.  Unfortuantely its going to be fragmented medical advice as EFUDEX isn't avialable where I live in Asia (only because skin cancer is an uncommon occurence, its not illegal to use it)  so the local docs aren't familiar with its side effects and my HIV doc although willing won't have been confronted with this issue before.  But as you suggest I still need to make them aware of my concerns and listen to any advice.

Where are you living in Asia? I did mine 2 years ago in Hong Kong. I think it was a generic version Efudix.

On Jan 30, 2012 2:31 AM crocster wrote:

Hi Jay,

I haven't been on here for a while. I finished 4 1/2 weeks of twice daily efudex to my face last August so I hear what you're saying about the pain and discomfort.

Before I started my dermatologist said that the main problem with efudex was that people didn't take it for long enough to really zap those basal cells. He described the cream making it's way down through the layers of skin killing precancerous cells as it goes. He said if the treatment didn't go long enough I wouldn't get down to the root cause and that it would regrow and I'd have to go through the whole ordeal again in a few years. He said that people who went the whole distance often get 10-15 years problem free.

His recommendation for the whole 9 yards was at least 3 weeks of 2x a day with a further week or 2 depending on how my skin was responding. I couldn't stand it after 3 weeks and stopped for 3 days until I could get back to see him. His advice was to keep going until I couldn't stand it any more so I started up again and went another 10 days. Like you I didn't want to go through it all and not finish it properly.

All I can say is hang in there as long as you can and see your dermatologist or another as soon as you can. Read back through this site for advice on things to do to ease the pain. Back around June-August last year there was a lot of information. My 2c worth is - don't stop shaving, keep the vaseline up, Phenergan (available over the counter in Australia) is great for getting a bit of sleep, get some time off work if you can.

Hope it goes well for you.

Crocster

Hi Crocster, just read your post about your Efudex treatment. I have nearly finished my 4 weeks on my arms and the itching is unbearable. Did Phenergan help at night with the itching.

I have been waking about every 2 hrs with extreme itching and vaseline only gives temporary relief. Wish we could get Aquaphor here in Australia but only in the US, is there anything else that helped you get throught this rough treatment. I have to do my face next but am a little afraid that it will scar my face, as my chest post 3 weeks treatment still has bright red lumps on it. It never peeled like a lot of people have experienced, felt scabby but with all the vaseline I have been using maybe the scabs got soft. Any advice would be greatful. I know I will probably have to take some time off work when I do my face if it is going to be anything like my chest and arms. Very raised red lumps that are sore almost like I have hives.

Jodie

On Jan 30, 2012 2:40 AM HGLtraveling wrote:

I don't know who it was that sent me the message re: effudex, but that stuff [5-fu, nearly killed me and has entirely destroyed my immune system [over 6 months after the fact] . The stuff is deadly dangerous and any physician that prescribes it should make that blatantly clear and have the antidote [Uridine tri-phospate avaialbe to anyone h=who has a serious adverse reaction to it. And yet they don't nor do the ER's who are ignorant about the harm.

Efudex has left me a mess, horrible toxic reaction almost 3 years ago. My immune system is some better but has left me disabled loss of muscle and pain in my theighs, overall endurance is awful. I went from a VERY healthy woman to being physically disabled after using Efudex.

I used Carac cream for 4 weeks at the end of March.  I had horrible pain for 2 1/2 weeks and was very traumatized by this experience.  When I went for my annual mammogram in May I was diagnosed with a very fast growing breast cancer.  The medical oncologist told me I did not have this cancer 6 months ago.  Besides my breast it is also in my lymph node.  My question to my dermatologist this week.........Do you think the trauma of using this cream caused my body's lymph nodes to work overtime and the cancer cells to start to divide in my breast.  Of course he said he never heard of that reaction but I continue to wonder if my immune system got so out of wack that the cancer started to grow at a rapid pace.  I would never do this again to my body........it was an assult that was extremely painful.  Just my opinion.  So sorry for the loss of your Mom.  I still have a long way to go with my chemo, then surgery and radiation........

I started using Carac cream on my forehead 5 weeks ago.  Managed to do the entire 4 weeks of treatment even though the pain became more potent as the time went on.

In week 4 I started having itching not only on my forehead but on my body.  Some on my stomach, some on my the back of my arm, some on my legs. 

I'm now one week post Carac and the itching on my body is getting worse.  Have been using Benadryl for a week but today noticed 2 actual hives on my arm!  I've read SOME of the posts on here but would just like some feedback as to whether or not you think this is an ALLERGIC reaction or just part of the normal side effects?  I see my dermo on Wednesday.  Thanks all!

 I with many side effects also got hives all over my body, and was trying to keep in under control with benadryl as well. PLEASE go to your doctor dont wait!! 

On Aug 26, 2012 11:29 PM iamlakeview wrote:

I started using Carac cream on my forehead 5 weeks ago.  Managed to do the entire 4 weeks of treatment even though the pain became more potent as the time went on.

In week 4 I started having itching not only on my forehead but on my body.  Some on my stomach, some on my the back of my arm, some on my legs. 

I'm now one week post Carac and the itching on my body is getting worse.  Have been using Benadryl for a week but today noticed 2 actual hives on my arm!  I've read SOME of the posts on here but would just like some feedback as to whether or not you think this is an ALLERGIC reaction or just part of the normal side effects?  I see my dermo on Wednesday.  Thanks all!

 I with many side effects also got hives all over my body, and was trying to keep in under control with benadryl as well. PLEASE go to your doctor dont wait!! 

Thank you jankenb!  I am on day 2 of recovery after 14 days of Carac on my lips.  Today they look as if they will never improve , still oozy, but your post gives me hope!