recommendations Carac (Topical) Generic Name: fluorouracil (Topical route) flure-oh-URE-a-sil Overview Side Effects Dosage Professional Pregnancy More Breastfeeding Warnings User Reviews Support Group Q & A Compare Alternatives Pricing & Coupons Commonly used brand name(s) In the U.S. Carac Efudex Fluoroplex Available Dosage Forms: Cream Solution Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic, Dermatological Pharmacologic Class: Antimetabolite Slideshow Hitting the Beach? Soak Up These Top Sun Safety Tips Uses For Carac Fluorouracil belongs to the group of medicines known as antimetabolites. When applied to the skin, it is used to treat certain skin problems, including cancer or conditions that could become cancerous if not treated. Fluorouracil interferes with the growth of abnormal cells, which are eventually destroyed. Fluorouracil is available only with your doctor's prescription. Before Using Carac In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Allergies Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Pediatric There is no specific information comparing use of fluorouracil on the skin in children with use in other age groups. Geriatric Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. Although there is no specific information comparing use of fluorouracil on the skin in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults. Pregnancy Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters X Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit. Breast Feeding There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Interactions with Medicines Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Brivudine Measles Virus Vaccine, Live Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live Rotavirus Vaccine, Live Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live Tegafur Varicella Virus Vaccine Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Acenocoumarol Adenovirus Vaccine Allopurinol Azanidazole Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live Benznidazole Cholera Vaccine, Live Cimetidine Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live Isoconazole Methotrexate Metronidazole Nimorazole Ornidazole Oxypurinol Phenprocoumon Poliovirus Vaccine, Live Secnidazole Smallpox Vaccine Tamoxifen Tinidazole Typhoid Vaccine Warfarin Yellow Fever Vaccine Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Fosphenytoin Leucovorin Levamisole Levoleucovorin Phenytoin Thiamine Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Other Medical Problems The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially: Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency May increase your chance of getting serious side effects. Other skin problems May be aggravated Proper Use of fluorouracil This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain fluorouracil. It may not be specific to Carac. Please read with care. Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment. However, do not use this medicine more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Apply enough medicine each time to cover the entire affected area with a thin layer. After washing the area with soap and water and drying carefully, use a cotton-tipped applicator or your fingertips to apply the medicine in a thin layer to your skin. If you apply this medicine with your fingertips, make sure you wash your hands immediately afterwards, to prevent any of the medicine from accidentally getting in your eyes or mouth. Fluorouracil may cause redness, soreness, scaling, and peeling of affected skin after 1 or 2 weeks of use. This effect may last for several weeks after you stop using the medicine and is to be expected. Sometimes a pink, smooth area is left when the skin treated with this medicine heals. This area will usually fade after 1 to 2 months. Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. If the reaction is very uncomfortable, check with your doctor. Dosing The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. For cream dosage form: For precancerous skin condition caused by the sun: Adults Use the 0.5% or 1% cream on the affected areas of skin one or two times a day. The 5% cream is sometimes used on the hands. Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For skin cancer: Adults Use the 5% cream on the affected areas of skin two times a day. Treatment may continue for several weeks. Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For topical solution dosage form: For precancerous skin condition caused by the sun: Adults Use the 1% solution on the affected areas of skin one or two times a day. The 2% or 5% solution is sometimes used on the hands. Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For skin cancer: Adults Use the 5% solution on the affected areas of skin two times a day. Treatment may continue for several weeks. Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. Missed Dose If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Storage Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Precautions While Using Carac It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. Apply this medicine very carefully when using it on your face. Avoid getting any in your eyes, nose, or mouth. While using this medicine, and for 1 or 2 months after you stop using it, your skin may become more sensitive to sunlight than usual and too much sunlight may increase the effect of the drug. During this period of time: Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible. Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses. Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional. Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth. If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor. Carac Side Effects Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: Redness and swelling of normal skin Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: More common Burning feeling where medicine is applied increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight itching oozing skin rash soreness or tenderness of skin Less common or rare Darkening of skin scaling watery eyes Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Side Effects (complete list) The information contained in the Truven Health Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. The use of the Truven Health products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Truven Health and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, TRUVEN HEALTH MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Truven Health does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Truven Health products. Copyright 2017 Truven Health Analytics, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Next Side Effects Print this page Add to My Med List More about Carac (fluorouracil topical) Side Effects During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding Dosage Information Compare Alternatives Support Group Pricing & Coupons En Español 19 Reviews Add your own review/rating Generic Availability Drug class: topical antineoplastics Consumer resources Carac Other brands: Efudex , Fluoroplex , Tolak Professional resources Carac (FDA) Fluorouracil topical (AHFS Monograph) Related treatment guides Keratosis Actinic Keratosis} Drug Status Rx Availability Prescription only X Pregnancy Category Not for use in pregnancy N/A CSA Schedule Not a controlled drug Approval History Drug history at FDA Manufacturer Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. Drug Class Topical antineoplastics Related Drugs Actinic Keratosis fluorouracil topical , Efudex , Picato , Fluoroplex , Ameluz , Tolak , ingenol topical , More... Keratosis diclofenac topical , fluorouracil topical , Efudex , Santyl , imiquimod topical , Aldara , Collagenase Santyl , Picato , Solaraze , Fluoroplex , Zyclara , collagenase topical , More... Carac Rating 19 User Reviews 8.8 /10 19 User Reviews 8.8 Rate it! Related Questions & Answers What are the results after using carac cream concerning discoloration, redness or splotching? What is the mechanism of action of carac pharmacologically ? Should I apply carac cream even after the area becomes red and raw? My Carac subscription is expired. Will it still be effective if I use it? My Dr. prescribed Carac cream for possible superficial basal cell. She told me that my skin would? Read more questions} } weak spot
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