Efudex

Why should Efudex not be prescribed?

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Efudex, Carac or similar drugs, you should not take this medication. Make sure your doctor is aware of any drug reactions you have experienced.

People with a condition called DPD enzyme deficiency should also avoid these products. The active ingredient can give them a life-threatening reaction marked by abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and chills.

Special warnings about Efudex

Avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays while you are under treatment with these products.

Skin may be unsightly during treatment with this drug and, in some cases, for several weeks after treatment has ended.

If your solar keratoses do not clear up with use of this drug, your doctor will probably order a biopsy (removal of a small amount of tissue to be examined under a microscope) to confirm the skin disease.

Your doctor will perform follow-up biopsies if you are being treated for superficial basal cell carcinoma.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Efudex

There are no reported food or drug interactions.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Efudex can harm a developing baby, and should not be used by women who are--or even may become--pregnant. If you do become pregnant while using Efudex, check with your doctor immediately.

Because it's not known whether Efudex could find its way into breast milk and harm a nursing infant, you'll need to choose between nursing your baby or undergoing treatment with Efudex.

Recommended dosage

When Efudex is applied to affected skin, the skin becomes abnormally red, blisters form, and the surface skin wears away. A lesion or sore forms at the affected site, and the diseased or cancerous skin cells die before a new layer of skin forms.

ADULTS

Actinic or Solar Keratosis

Apply Efudex cream or solution 2 times a day, or Carac cream once a day, in an amount sufficient to cover the affected area. Continue using the medication until the inflammatory response reaches the stage where the skin wears away, a sore or lesion forms, and the skin cells die; your doctor will then have you stop using the medication. The usual length of treatment is from 2 to 4 weeks. You may not see complete healing of the affected area for 1 to 2 months after ending the treatment.