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Fluorouracil

Fluorouracil is a topical antimetabolite that blocks the rapid division of abnormal skin cells. This shelf carries one product: Efudex 5% cream, listed under Oncology Support for actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma.

Efudex

Actinic Keratosis

5%

Fluorouracil cream for actinic keratosis and some skin cancers. It destroys precancerous and cancerous cells by blocking their rapid division.

From$36.40/ tubeView

Key points

  • The same molecule is used as an injection in chemotherapy for internal cancers; Efudex delivers it topically, so the effect stays on the skin surface.
  • The cream can make treated skin very sensitive to sunlight, so covering the area and applying sunscreen during treatment is important.

How does fluorouracil work?

Fluorouracil is an antimetabolite: it mimics a molecule the cell needs to copy its DNA, so rapidly dividing cells take it up and stop dividing. Applied as a cream, the drug works mainly on the cells where it is placed, targeting the abnormal cells in Actinic Keratosis patches and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Further reading