Efudex Side Effects Center

What Is Efudex?

Efudex (fluorouracil) topical contains an antineoplastic antimetabolite used to treat scaly overgrowths of skin (actinic or solar keratoses). Efudex may also be used in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma. It works by causing the death of cells that are growing fastest, such as abnormal skin cells. Efudex is available in generic form.

What Are Side Effects of Efudex?

Common side effects of Efudex include:

• skin irritation,
• burning,
• redness,
• dryness,
• pain,
• swelling,
• tenderness,
• scaling,
• peeling (exfoliation),
• rash,
• changes in skin color at the site of application, or other local reactions.
• Other side effects of Efudex include eye irritation (e.g., stinging, watering),
• trouble sleeping,
• irritability,
• temporary hair loss, or
• abnormal taste in the mouth.

Tell your doctor if you have rare but very serious side effects of Efudex including:

• stomach or abdominal pain,
• bloody diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat),
• easy bruising or bleeding, or
• mouth sores.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Efudex

The dose of Efudex topical is to apply a small amount of the cream to the area that is to be treated, once or twice daily after cleansing. Treatment lasts 2-6 weeks depending on the condition being treated. Wash hands immediately afterward. Do not use other prescription or over-the-counter skin products without first talking to your doctor during treatment with Efudex topical.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Efudex?

They may interfere with treatment or increase irritation to the skin. Other drugs may also interact with Efudex topical. Talk to your doctor before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Efudex During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Efudex topical must not be used during pregnancy. It may harm a fetus. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Due to the potential risk to a nursing infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug.

Additional Information

Our Efudex (fluorouracil) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using fluorouracil topical and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe pain or swelling of treated skin;
• severe itching, burning, or irritation;
• new or worsening skin sores;
• fever, chills; or
• severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting.

Before your skin begins to heal it will become red, dry, tender, and crusty. This is a normal skin reaction, even if these symptoms get worse for a short time. Gradually, the dead skin will begin to shed off and you'll see raw skin appear. Ask your doctor when to stop using the medicine after you notice signs of healing.

Common side effects may include:

• skin pain, itching, burning, or irritation;
• skin darkening or scarring;
• skin redness and swelling; or
• small blood vessels under the skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.