Treating Actinic Keratosis
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Learn about Carac®, a once-a-day topical
cream used by adults on the face and front part of the scalp to treat actinic keratosis.
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Only your doctor can diagnose actinic keratosis. He or she will physically examine
the lesion and may have the tissue analyzed by a laboratory. Consult with your doctor
immediately if you feel you are at risk for AKs or are uncertain about any blemish
that appears on your skin.
Once an AK diagnosis is made, treatment must be discussed with your doctor. Options
for the treatment of actinic keratosis include surgical or chemical destruction
of the lesions, topical drug therapy, and photodynamic therapy. In some cases, a
combination of these treatments is used.
Therapy for AKs must be individualized. The approach to treatment selected for a
particular patient depends upon many variables, including the following:
- The type, location, and extent of the lesions
- Changes in a lesion that may indicate malignancy
- Success of previous treatment
- Patient preference
- Cost of treatment
Depending on the treatment method used, patients may remain free of AKs for months
and possibly years. However, individuals with significant photodamage and those
who fail to minimize sun exposure are at increased risk for the development of additional
AKs, as well as skin cancer. In this case, long term follow-up and repeated treatment
may be necessary.
Speak directly with your doctor about your options for treatment of AKs.
See
full prescribing information for Carac®.
Carac® should not be used in by women who are pregnant, considering becoming
pregnant, or nursing. Carac® should not be used by people with diydropyrimidine
dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency. The most common side effects are skin reactions
including redness, dryness, burning, pain, erosion (loss of upper layer of skin),
swelling and eye irritation.
