Aldara Cream

imiquimod

Aldara Cream (imiquimod) is commonly used to treat genital warts (Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)). It's active subtance - Imiquimod, is an immune response modifier that stimulates the body’s own immune system to help it fight external genital or perianal warts. Aldara Cream helps the body fights the virus instead of just getting rid of the warts. So Aldara Cream actually treats warts from the inside out.

Aldara cream is easy to use at home. It is rubbed on the warts and left on during sleeping hours. Then it is washed off after waking.

Aldara is a topical cream and needs to be applied directly to the wart so that it can begin to dissolve it and fight the underlying virus. Aldara will not damage healthy skin, so the risk of discomfort developing during treatment is much less than with other treatment methods. Aldara can work in as little as 4 weeks with minimal side effects. Treatment may last as long as 16 weeks. Results may vary from person-to-person. Aldara cream cannot prevent new warts from forming but in most cases will remove the existing warts. This treatment is meant only for external skin use and should never be used internally or for warts inside the vagina or anus. Avoid area in or near your mouth, eyes, lips or nostrils.

Aldara Cream is used for several skin conditions. It is used to treat external genital and perianal warts in people 12 years and older, actinic keratosis in adults with normal immune systems. Actinic keratosis is caused by too much sun exposure, superficial basal cell carcinoma in adults with normal immune systems when surgical methods are less appropriate.

Aldara Cream is used in different ways for each different skin conditions it is used to treat. It is very important that you talk with your healthcare provider about all precautions and side effects and follow the instructions for your skin condition.

A thin layer should be applied only to the affected area or areas to be treated. How often and for how long to apply it depends on your condition.

Usually the skin reactions that occur are local, mild or moderate. One of the most common side effects is redness. This may be a sign that your immune system is working. Other common side effects are peeling skin, itching, flaking, and swelling around the warts. This medicine sometimes increase the skin’s natural sensitivity to the sun. Should a severe skin reaction or any other side effects that restrict your daily activity occur, remove the medication by washing the area with mild soap and water and promptly contact your doctor. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy and with extreme caution in children.

You should not use Aldara on broken skin, wounds and windburned or sunburned skin. It is recommended that you wait until these medical conditions have completely healed before you apply this medicine on those skin areas. Also, wait for your skin to heal from any previous drug or surgical treatments before using this medication.