Comparison between daily and alternate-day use of topical 5-fluorouracil in treatment of actinic keratosis: Randomized controlled clinical trial

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are the third commonest complaint of patients visiting dermatologists. Topical treatment including 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are among the commonest available therapies. According to local irritation induced by topical 5-FU The aim of current study was to compare efficacy of two different 5-FU based regimens with different application routes. Patients with AKs confirmed by skin biopsy, matching our exlusion criteria were enrolled. Subjects randomized in two groups, receiving topical 5% 5-FU once daily or alternatedaily respectively. Two weeks after the end of one month period of the study, rate of reduction in number of lesions was documented by blinded academic dermatologists as well as treatment side effects. a total of 38 patients (23 male and 15 female) completed the study. Rate of side effects were lower in alternate-day applying patients (P<0.05) while rate of response to therapy were comparable in both groups (P>0.05). alternate-day route for application of topical 5-FU is an acceptable alternative for classic daily application, to reduce rate of side effects and enhancing patients compliance.