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Fluoroplex

fluorouracil
Used for Actinic Keratosis
Used for Actinic Keratosis

Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream is used to treat actinic keratosis (scaly pre-cancerous spot or growth on the skin) in adults. It belongs to the antimetabolite drug class, which works by stopping skin cells from dividing and growing. It's applied to the affected skin area(s) twice per day, usually for 2 to 6 weeks. Side effects of this medication include skin burning, crusting, and itching.

Note: Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream has been discontinued. Talk to your dermatologist about other topical fluorouracil products for actinic keratosis.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on March 13, 2024
BasicsFAQsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream?

What is Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream used for?

How Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream works

Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream is an antimetabolite. It works by getting in the way of cells making copies of their genetic material. When applied on pre-cancerous or cancerous skin cells, Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream prevents them from being able to grow.

Are you looking for information on fluorouracil (Efudex), fluorouracil 0.5% (Carac) cream, or fluorouracil 4% (Tolak) cream instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsFluoroplex (brand name no longer available)
Drug ClassAntimetabolite
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityDiscontinued
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$1088.38(save 17.58%)
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$897.08
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faqs

Frequently asked questions about Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream

Is Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream still available?
No, Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States. Talk to your dermatologist about other available topical fluorouracil products that can treat actinic keratosis.
When do I stop Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream?
Typically, you need to apply Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream for 2 to 6 weeks. But if you're not able to tolerate some of the side effects, such as burning or redness, let your dermatologist know. They might suggest that you stop this medication earlier and talk with you about other options.
How long does it take for Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream to work?
How long it takes for Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream to work can differ from person to person, depending on how severe your condition is. Your skin should begin to improve within 2 to 6 weeks of starting the medication. Talk to your dermatologist if you're concerned with how well Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream is working to treat your skin condition.
What are common side effects of Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream?
Similar to other topical fluorouracil medications, the common side effects of Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream are skin reactions at the application site. These reactions incude pain, itching, burning, irritation, redness, and swelling. More rare side effects include changes in skin color and scarring.
Does Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream have serious side effects?
The side effects of Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream are generally related to skin irritation, such as pain, itching, burning, and redness. These reactions can look serious, but should improve over time. But Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream can cause severe problems to unborn babies if used during pregnancy. For this reason, all topical fluorouracil products should be avoided during pregnancy.
Can I apply Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream to broken skin?
No, don't apply fluorouracil cream to broken or damaged skin. Doing so will cause severe pain and also can cause some of the medication to get absorbed into your blood, which can cause side effects to the other parts of your body. If the area of skin where you're applying Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream is damaged, stop using Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream and contact your dermatologist for further instruction.
Does Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream affect healthy skin?
Yes, Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream can affect healthy skin. You can apply Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream on the affected area(s) using your fingertips or an applicator. Try as much as possible to not touch the surrounding healthy skin. It's also important to wash your hands right away very well with soap and water after applying the cream, especially if you're applying the medication with your fingertips.
Can you put sunscreen over Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream?
Since Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream makes your skin more sensitive to light, it's a good idea to use sunscreen and wearing protective clothing (e.g., hats, long-sleeved shirts) when going outside. But the manufacturer doesn't say how soon you can put on sunscreen after applying Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream. The recommendation for Carac, another brand of fluorouracil cream, is to wait at least 2 hours before putting sunscreen on the affected area(s). It's best to ask your dermatologist how soon you can put sunscreen over the affected area(s) treated with Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream.
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dosage

Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream dosage forms

The average cost for 1 tube of 30g of 1% of Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream is $897.08 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 17.58% off the average retail price of $1088.38.
tube of cream
Tube of cream
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
30g of 1%1 tube$897.08$897.08
interactions

Interactions between Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream and other drugs

Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

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, Live
  • Zoster Vaccine, Live

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.

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.

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How much does Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream cost?

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Fluoroplex (brand)
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alternatives

What are alternatives to Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Fluoroplex (fluorouracil) 1% cream
Used for:
$897.08 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
Fluorouracil 0.5% cream (Carac)
Used for:
$533.02 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
Fluorouracil (Efudex) topical
Used for:
$35.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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References

Best studies we found

Almirall. (2022). FLUOROPLEX- fluorouracil cream [package insert]. DailyMed.

Casale, J., et al. (2024). Fluorouracil. StatPearls.

Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs. (n.d.). Fluoroplex. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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