5-Fluorouracil (topical)
Description
5-Fluorouracil (topical) is a topical medicine containing Fluorouracil. It is used for the treatment of actinic keratoses (a pre-cancerous skin condition that makes your skin rough and scaly due to long-term exposure to the sun). It is also used to treat a type of skin cancer known as superficial basal cell carcinoma. This medicine works by inhibiting the growth of abnormal cells in the body.
5-Fluorouracil (topical) may cause certain side effects like itching, burning sensation, irritation, and redness at the site of application. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. Do not use 5-Fluorouracil (topical) if you are allergic to it.
5-Fluorouracil (topical) is for external use only. Clean and dry the affected area before application. Apply a thin layer over the affected parts of your skin. Avoid contact with your eyes and mouth. Rinse with water immediately if the medicine comes in contact with these areas.
5-Fluorouracil (topical) is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. Inform your doctor about all your current medications, including any topical preparations you may be using, before starting the treatment with this medicine. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before using this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for 5-Fluorouracil (topical)
- Application site redness, itching, and burning
- Photosensitivity of skin
- Soreness or tenderness of skin
- Darkening of skin
- Scaly skin
- Watery eyes
Uses of 5-Fluorouracil (topical)
What is it prescribed for?
- Basal cell carcinoma
- Actinic Keratoses
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for 5-Fluorouracil (topical) to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which 5-Fluorouracil (topical) remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for 5-Fluorouracil (topical).
- Usage in pregnancy?5-Fluorouracil (topical) is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can cause harm to the developing foetus. Hence consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is unknown if 5-Fluorouracil (topical) passes into breast milk, therefore, consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency
5-Fluorouracil (topical) is not recommended for use if you have an inherited deficiency of an enzyme called dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, as the risk of toxicity and serious side effects are significantly higher in such cases.
Allergy
Avoid using 5-Fluorouracil (topical) if you are allergic to it. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any symptoms such as a skin rash, itching/swelling anywhere on your body, dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
5-Fluorouracil (topical) is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can cause harm to the developing foetus. Hence consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown if 5-Fluorouracil (topical) passes into breast milk, therefore, consult your doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Other medicines
5-Fluorouracil (topical) may interact with certain medicines and cause side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines, including any herbs and supplements, before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Photosensitivity
5-Fluorouracil (topical) may make you more sensitive to sunlight or tanning lights and cause sunburns. You are advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing before stepping out in the sun.
Infections
5-Fluorouracil (topical) may weaken the immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. Hence, it is recommended to take suitable precautionary measures to avoid getting sick during treatment with this medicine.
Use in Children
5-Fluorouracil (topical) is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Apply the missed dose of 5-Fluorouracil (topical) as soon as you remember. However, skip the missed dose if it is time for the next dose. Do not apply two doses together to compensate for the missed dose.
Overdose
Contact your doctor if an overdose of 5-Fluorouracil (topical) is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Apply a thin layer of 5-Fluorouracil (topical) to the affected area as instructed by the doctor.
5-Fluorouracil (topical) is meant for external use only. Avoid contact with the mouth, eyes, nose, and, ears. In case of accidental contact, wash thoroughly with water.
Follow all instructions mentioned on the label or the package insert. Do not use this medicine for a shorter or longer duration than recommended by your doctor.
It may take several weeks to see the effects of 5-Fluorouracil (topical). Use this medicine for the recommended duration for the best results.
Avoid covering the application area with bandages or other dressings unless instructed by your doctor to do so.
Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets. Ensure that unused medicine is disposed of properly.
Do not freeze 5-Fluorouracil (topical).
Miscelleneous
How it works
5-Fluorouracil (topical) works by slowing or stopping the growth of abnormal cells in the body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Topical antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. Fluorouracil. [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 July 2022].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Efudix 5% Cream - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 July 2022].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2022. DailyMed - FLUOROURACIL CREAM- fluorouracil cream. [online] Available at: [Accessed 25 August 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Aug 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.