About Carac®

Carac® (pronounced care-ack) is a cream used by adults to treat skin conditions on the face and front part of the scalp, called solar keratosis or actinic keratosis.

Follow the path to clearer skin

These unretouched photos are an example of what you may experience with treatment. Your individual response may vary from these photos.

* Therapy should continue up to 4 weeks as tolerated.

For those AK lesions that failed to respond to treatment, your doctor may take a biopsy to rule out the presence of skin cancer.

How do I know if Carac® is right for me?

Only your doctor can determine if Carac® is the right treatment for you. Carac® is a topical treatment, and it is important to follow your doctor’s direction. The active ingredient in Carac® is called fluorouracil (floor-oh-your-a-sill). Since 2001, Carac® has been used to treat AKs. It works by getting into the AK cells and destroying them. Carac® contains fluorouracil in a patented drug-delivery system and provides once-a-day dosing.

You will notice skin irritation in the areas where you use Carac® . This is expected and was seen in most patients in the clinical trials. It is thought that when the fluorouracil is taken up by the AK cells, it destroys the cells resulting in the skin irritation.This part of treatment can be difficult for some people. Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions and complete your Carac® treatment up to 4 weeks as tolerated. The irritation can last 2 weeks or more after treatment, but the length of time can vary from patient to patient.

Don’t stop your Carac® treatment early unless you check with your doctor first.

Use Carac® once a day as instructed by your doctor. Use it only on your skin. You should use Carac® for up to 4 weeks as tolerated.

  1. Clean the area where you will apply Carac® . Rinse well and dry the area with a towel and wait 10 minutes before applying Carac® .
  2. Apply Carac® on your face as directed by your physician, using your fingertips. Use enough to cover the affected skin.
  3. Avoid contact with your eyes, nostrils, and mouth.
  4. Wash your hands as soon as you finish applying Carac® on your skin.
  5. A moisturizer/sunscreen may be applied 2 hours after Carac® has been applied. Do not use any other skin products including creams, lotions, medications or cosmetics, unless instructed by your doctor.

Please see full Important Treatment Considerations below.

What should I avoid while using Carac® ?
Avoid sunlight or other ultraviolet light (such as tanning booths) as much as possible while using Carac® . Sunlight may increase your side effects. When exposed to sunlight, wear a hat and use sunscreen.

Do not cover the treated skin with a dressing.

Do not breast feed or become pregnant while using Carac® .

If you do become pregnant, stop using Carac® and tell your doctor right away.

What are the possible side effects of Carac® ?

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 may continue for two or more weeks after treatment is over. The treated area may become unsightly during therapy. Some patients get eye irritation. Eye irritation might consist of burning, sensitivity, itching, stinging, and watering. If you are concerned about side effects, talk to your doctor. A few patients have reported side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or chills, possibly due to the lack of a specific enzyme, DPD, in their body. If you experience any of these symptoms, discontinue therapy immediately and contact your doctor.

Who should not use Carac® ?
Do not use Carac®

  • if you are pregnant or might become pregnant. Carac® may harm your unborn child.
  • if you are nursing a baby. We do not know if Carac® can pass to the baby through the milk.
  • if you have dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency. The active ingredient in Carac® , fluorouracil, can cause serious side effects in patients who are DPD enzyme deficient. If you have DPD enzyme deficiency and use medications containing fluorouracil, you may develop serious side effects such as stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, or chills.
  • if you are allergic to the ingredients in Carac® . Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the inactive ingredients.
  • if under 18 years of age. Carac® should not be used in children.

Tell your doctor if you are able to become pregnant. Your doctor may advise you about birth control to avoid pregnancy.

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.

Healthcare Professionals

This information is intended for U.S. Healthcare Professionals only.

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