-
What are AKs
AKs, also known as actinic keratoses or solar keratoses, are patches of skin, or lesions, that can look rough, dry, or scaly. They appear on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun. AKs range in color from tan to pink to skin-toned.
-
Treat AKs
There are many options. Only your doctor can determine the appropriate therapeutic option for you.
Your doctor may prescribe topical creams like Carac® to treat AKs. Another procedure, such as freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen, is also an option. You doctor knows what is best for your treament.
-
Prevent AKs
It’s great to have fun in the sun. However, long-term sunlight exposure can cause AK lesions and wrinkles. Follow these tips from the American Academy of Dermatology to help protect yourself:
- Avoid excessive sunlight exposure, especially during peak hours (10 AM–4 PM)
- Use a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB light
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours
- When outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing to minimize sunlight exposure
Indication
Carac® is indicated for the topical treatment of multiple actinic or solar keratoses of the face and anterior scalp.
For more information, please see Full Prescribing Information for Carac®.
Important Treatment Considerations for Carac®
- Carac® is for external use only.
- Avoid contact with eyes, eyelids, nostrils, and mouth.
- Cleanse affected area and wait 10 minutes before applying Carac®.
- Wash hands immediately after applying Carac®.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or other forms of ultraviolet irradiation during treatment, as the intensity of the reaction may be increased.
- Most patients using Carac® get skin reactions where the medicine is used. These reactions include redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of the upper layer of skin), and swelling. Irritation at the application site may persist for two or more weeks after therapy is discontinued. Treated areas may be unsightly during and after therapy.
- If you develop abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or chills while on Carac® therapy, stop the medication and contact your physician and/or pharmacist.
- Report any side effects to the physician and/or pharmacist.
Important Safety Information for Carac®
Carac® should not be used by women who are pregnant, considering becoming pregnant, or nursing. Carac® should not be used by people with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency or in people allergic to any of the ingredients in the product. If you develop abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or chills while using Carac®, stop the medication immediately and contact your doctor.
Carac® is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes, eyelids, nostrils, and mouth. Wash hands immediately after applying Carac®. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or other forms of UV light.
Most patients using Carac® get skin reactions where the medicine is used, and the treatment areas may become unsightly during and after therapy. The most common skin reactions include redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of upper layer of skin), swelling and eye irritation. These skin reactions can last for two or more weeks after therapy is discontinued.
Warning: Leaving Carac.info
You are leaving a sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC website and going to an external website which is not under the control of sanofi-aventis U.S. Sanofi-aventis U.S. provides these links as a service and does not endorse or accept responsibility or liability for any information presented on external websites.
Healthcare Professionals
This information is intended for U.S. Healthcare Professionals only.
Are you a U.S. Healthcare Professional?
City or zipcode you entered could not be found. Please try again.