Efudex

Fluorouracil Cream

Trade names: Carac ^TM, Efudex ^® , Fluoroplex^®
Other names: 5-fluorouracil, 5-FU

Carac (fluorouracil cream) Cream, 0.5%, contains fluorouracil  for topical dermatologic use. Chemically, fluorouracil is 5-fluoro-2,4(1H, 3H)-pyrimidinedione. The molecular formula is C4H3FN2O2. Fluorouracil has a molecular weight of 130.08. Fluorouracil is an anti-cancer ("antineoplastic" or "cytotoxic") chemotherapy medication. This medication is classified as an "antimetabolite."

Carac Cream (fluorouracil cream) contains 0.5% fluorouracil, with 0.35% being incorporated into a patented permeable microsphere (Microsponge)1 composed of methyl methacrylate / glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer and dimethicone. The cream formulation also contains the following inactive ingredients: carbomer 940, dimethicone, glycerin, methyl gluceth-20, methyl methacrylate / glycol dimethacrylate crosspolymer, methylparaben, octyl hydroxy stearate, polyethylene glycol 400, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, propylparaben, purified water, sorbitan monooleate, stearic acid, and trolamine.

AK and sBCC lesions multiply at a quicker rate than ordinary cells. Fluorouracil, the active ingredient in EFUDEX, is thought to interfere with a cell's ability to procreate. As a result, the unhealthy cells absorb the fluorouracil in EFUDEX quicker than healthy, normal cells.

Efficacy is achieved in as little as two weeks

* Cures up to 86 percent of evident AK lesions in just 2-4 weeks

* Additional AK lesions were also detected and resolved during treatment