Fluorouracil (Topical)

Brand Names : Efudex, Fluoroplex, 5-FU

Proper Use of This Medicine

Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment. However, do not use this medicine more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered . Apply enough medicine each time to cover the entire affected area with a thin layer.

After washing the area with soap and water and drying carefully, use a cotton-tipped applicator or your fingertips to apply the medicine in a thin layer to your skin.

If you apply this medicine with your fingertips, make sure you wash your hands immediately afterwards , to prevent any of the medicine from accidentally getting in your eyes or mouth.

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. This area will usually fade after 1 to 2 months. Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. If the reaction is very uncomfortable, check with your doctor.

Dosing - The dose of fluorouracil will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of fluorouracil. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For cream dosage form:
  • For precancerous skin condition caused by the sun:
    • Adults - Use the 1% cream on the affected areas of skin one or two times a day. The 5% cream is sometimes used on the hands.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For skin cancer:
    • Adults - Use the 5% cream on the affected areas of skin two times a day. Treatment may continue for several weeks.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For topical solution dosage form:
  • For precancerous skin condition caused by the sun:
    • Adults - Use the 1% solution on the affected areas of skin one or two times a day. The 2% or 5% solution is sometimes used on the hands.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For skin cancer:
    • Adults - Use the 5% solution on the affected areas of skin two times a day. Treatment may continue for several weeks.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as you remember. However, if more than a few hours have passed, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss more than one dose, check with your doctor.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Protect the solution from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.