What does fluorouracil cream do?

What does fluorouracil cream do?

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.

Is fluorouracil a form of chemotherapy?

FLUOROURACIL, 5-FU (flure oh YOOR a sil) is a chemotherapy drug. It slows the growth of cancer cells. This medicine is used to treat many types of cancer like breast cancer, colon or rectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and stomach cancer.

How does fluorouracil chemo work?

Fluorouracil is in a class of medications called antimetabolites. It works by killing fast-growing cells such as the abnormal cells in actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinoma.

Does fluorouracil cream affect healthy skin?

Fluorouracil (flure oh yoor’ a sill) is a drug that is used to treat actinic keratoses. This is a pre-cancerous skin growth caused by the sun. Fluorouracil reacts against the pre-cancerous sun-damaged skin but does not usually affect normal skin.

How do you know when to stop fluorouracil?

Erythema develops in several days. 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.

Do you rub in fluorouracil cream?

Fluorouracil cream is applied once or twice a day after washing with plain water. A tiny amount of the cream should be gently rubbed into all of the treatment areas with a fingertip. It is important to apply it to all the skin and not just visible lesions.

Do you lose your hair with fluorouracil?

Your hair may get thinner. But you are unlikely to lose all the hair from your head. Hair loss usually starts after your first or second treatment. It is almost always temporary, and your hair will usually grow back after treatment finishes.

How long does it take for redness to go away after fluorouracil treatment?

Fluorouracil may cause redness, soreness, scaling, and peeling of affected skin after 1 or 2 weeks of use. This effect may last for several weeks after you stop using the medicine and is to be expected. Sometimes a pink, smooth area is left when the skin treated with this medicine heals.

How long does it take for skin to heal after fluorouracil?

It takes two to four weeks for healthy new skin to replace the sun-damaged skin destroyed by the fluorouracil cream. After healing, the treated areas are often redder than normal and may feel more sensitive; this redness and sensitivity will gradually fade over a few weeks.

What do you put on skin after fluorouracil treatment?

The day after your last Efudex application, begin moisturizing all treated areas with either Vaseline or Aquaphor Healing Ointment (over the counter). Apply frequently every day to keep skin soft. The treated area can be pink for several months and is more susceptible to getting sun burned.

What conditions does fluorouracil treat?

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.

What are the side effects of fluorouracil 5% cream?

For some patients it is necessary to use the 5-fluorouracil 5% cream for 6-12 months (cycles) to obtain the best results. SIDE EFFECTS: When using 5-fluorouracil 5% cream, you may have mild irritation, such as redness, dryness, swelling, or a mild burning sensation.

What is 5 Fu chemotherapy?

5-FU (fluorouracil) is an anti-cancer (“antineoplastic” or “cytotoxic”) chemotherapy drug. This medication is classified as an “antimetabolite.” 5-FU is used for several different types of cancers, including colon and rectal, breast, gastrointestinal (anal, esphageal, pancreas and stomach), head and neck, liver,…

What is fluorouracil topical cream used for?

Fluorouracil topical (for the skin) is used to treat scaly overgrowths of skin (actinic or solar keratoses). Fluorouracil topical may also be used in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma.