WHAT IS EFUDIX CREAM AND HOW DOES IT WORK?Efudix cream contains a chemical (fluorouracil) that damages rapidly dividing cells but not slowly dividing ones. This unique property makes Efudix cream suitable for the local treatment of superficial forms of skin cancer. It can also be used to treat other skin conditions with accelerated or abnormal cell division, such as actinic keratosis (a keratinization disorder). If there is a large area of skin with small patches of actinic keratosis, for example, on the top of the head, the entire area can be treated. The cream then selectively damages only the areas with accelerated cell division. These areas cause skin damage such as redness and sores, while normal skin is spared.
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5-Fluorouracil is a fluorinated pyrimidine and belongs to the group of antimetabolites. It inhibits cell growth. Fluorouracil inhibits the production of thymidine in cells. Thymidine is one of the building blocks of DNA, and a deficiency prevents cells from dividing properly. As a result, fluorouracil primarily targets rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells and their precursors. |
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DELIVERY FORMATEfudix cream contains 5% (50 mg/g) 5-fluorouracil in an oil-in-water emulsion base and is available in the Netherlands in 40 g tubes.
Do not store above 25°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Shelf life: 3 months after opening the tube. Close the tube tightly after use.
As with all medicines, never dispose of leftover Efudix in the regular garbage bin. Instead, dispose of it in the special waste bin for small chemical waste, or hand in any remaining product at your pharmacy.WHAT CAN BE TREATED WITH EFUDIX?
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actinic keratoses (other names: keratosis actinica, solar keratosis, senile keratoses, age spot, cutaneous horn) |
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actinic keratosis on the lip (actinic cheilitis) |
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porokeratosis actinica (a sun-induced skin disorder) |
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superficial forms of basal cell carcinoma (trunk skin type) |
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superficial forms of squamous cell carcinoma (Bowen's disease, Bowen's morbus) |
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genital warts (condylomas) |
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common warts (verruca vulgaris) and plantar warts (verruca plantaris) |
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
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Apply a thin layer of Efudix cream to the area to be treated. You can do this with your hands. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying the cream. For hygiene reasons, it is also advisable to wash your hands thoroughly before applying the cream. |
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Your doctor will tell you how often and how long to apply Efudix cream. This is usually twice a day for 3-4 weeks. |
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Efudix should not come into contact with mucous membranes or the eyes. Use caution when applying it to areas around the eyes and mouth. When used for genital warts, it may be applied to mucous membranes, provided a doctor's prescription is given. |
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Do not use other skin products such as creams, lotions, cosmetics, or medications at the same time, unless advised by your doctor. During the healing phase, disinfectant creams such as Fucidine cream are sometimes prescribed. |
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Unless prescribed by a doctor, the treated areas should not be covered with bandages, gauze or plasters. |
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Avoid sunlight and other UV light (sunbeds). Depending on the area being treated, it's advisable to wear a hat or long-sleeved clothing. |
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY EFUDIX?Initially, there's nothing visible. Over time, the areas where rapidly dividing cells are located become damaged. The cells die. First, redness appears, followed by blisters, abrasions, then deeper wounds and even ulcers. Afterward, after you stop using the product, the skin begins to heal through the ingrowth of healthy skin cells from the edges and from deep within. So, it gets worse at first, then improves. The skin will have healed within one to two weeks.
Don't be alarmed or alarmed if the skin starts to break. This is a sign that Efudix is working. The redness, crusting, and peeling of the skin are caused by the death of the abnormal cells and are completely normal during Efudix treatment. Do not discontinue the therapy for this reason. Most patients find that the final result is more than worth the temporary discomfort. However, if any of these symptoms become severe, contact your doctor. It is possible that unaffected areas of your skin may also become red and inflamed. This is because Efudix also treats very small injuries that are not yet visible to the naked eye.
So, you should be prepared to walk around with red spots and sores for several weeks (2-4 weeks). Therefore, plan your treatment carefully. Don't do it during a time when you have many social obligations or are going on vacation. Schedule it during a quiet period. Below you can see how severe the condition can look during the treatment:
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I APPLY IT AND HOW LONG SHOULD I CONTINUE USING IT?It varies. It's common to apply it once or twice a day for 3-4 weeks. Your dermatologist will tell you how often and how long to apply it. Applying it twice a day for 4 weeks is most effective. Not everyone reacts the same way to the cream, so you can decide to continue for a little longer if nothing happens, or to stop sooner if severe reactions occur. It also depends on the condition it's being applied to.Actinic keratosis:Apply twice a day for 3 weeks. Afterward, it should look like the images above (middle photo). If not, continue for another week, for a total of 4 weeks. Then stop, and once your skin has fully recovered, schedule another appointment with your dermatologist to assess the results.Basal cell carcinoma and Bowen's disease:Apply twice a day for 4 weeks. Sometimes it's recommended to apply an occlusive dressing over it to improve penetration; in that case, it only needs to be applied once a day. After 4 weeks, the area should look like a large abrasion or ulcer. If so, you can stop. If the skin hasn't broken out after 4 weeks, continue for another 1 or 2 weeks.Genital warts (condylomas):For external warts, apply the cream twice a day for two consecutive days a week.
For internal warts (in the vagina or anus): apply once or twice a week (depending on your doctor's advice) using an applicator. The surrounding healthy mucous membrane can be protected with Vaseline. The applicator will be prescribed separately.
For the treatment of genital warts, you should use Efudix for at least six weeks, after which you should schedule a follow-up appointment to assess whether treatment should be continued longer.Other conditions:Depending on a doctor's prescription.
Efudix should only be used under medical supervision.HOW BIG IS THE MAXIMUM AREA I CAN TREAT?You should not apply more than 500 square centimeters of skin per day. This corresponds to an area of approximately 23 x 23 cm. If a larger area needs to be treated, it should be done in two phases. For example, first treat one half of the breast for three weeks, then the other half for three weeks. A 40g tube of Efudix is more than enough for a three-week treatment.SIDE EFFECTSSide effects occur only where the cream is applied. They include itching, burning, pain, tenderness, redness, flaking, and swelling of the skin. If any of these symptoms become severe, contact your doctor. An allergic reaction may sometimes occur.DOES THE EFUDIX ALSO ENTER MY BODY?No, if you adhere to the maximum surface area mentioned above, no traces of Efudix will be found in your blood or tissues. This means your body will not suffer any harm from it.PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDINGAlthough it has been stated above that no traces of the substance can be found in the blood with local treatment with Efudix, you should not use Efudix if you are pregnant. During pregnancy, any exposure to harmful substances, however minimal, must be avoided.WHEN SHOULD I NOT USE EFUDIX?During pregnancy. And in case of hypersensitivity (allergic reactions) to the cream, caused by fluorouracil or the preservatives contained in the cream (parabens).CAN I SHOWER AND SWIM DURING THE TREATMENT?Showering: Showering and washing your skin during treatment is fine. It is recommended that you do not wash the treated skin with soap, but only with lukewarm water. If the face or scalp is being treated with Efudix, it is recommended to wash your hair with baby shampoo. Baby shampoo is mild and prevents further irritation of the treated skin.
Swimming: Swimming in chlorinated or open water during treatment is not recommended. |
