Drug Uses

Aldara Cream is used to treat external genital and perianal warts and is different from most other treatments. It is a patient-applied cream that helps the body fights the virus instead of just getting rid of the warts. So Aldara Cream actually treats warts from the inside out.

How Taken

Aldara cream is easy to use at home. It's rubbed on the warts and left on during sleeping hours. Then it's washed off after waking. Use Aldara Cream exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Aldara Cream is for skin use only. Do not take by mouth or use in or near your eyes, lips or nostrils. Do not use Aldara Cream unless your healthcare provider has taught you the right way to use it. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Aldara Cream is used for several skin conditions. Use Aldara Cream only on the area of your body to be treated. Your healthcare provider will tell you where to apply Aldara cream and how often and for how long to apply it for your condition. Do not use Aldara Cream longer than prescribed. Using too much Aldara Cream, or using it too often, or for too long can increase your chances for having a severe skin reaction or other side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider if Aldara Cream does not work for you. For external genital and perianal warts Aldara Cream is usually used once a day for 3 days a week. For these conditions, Aldara Cream is usually left on the skin for 6 to 10 hours. Treatment should continue until the warts are completely gone, or up to 16 weeks. For actinic keratosis, Aldara Cream is usually used once a day for 2 days a week. For this condition, Aldara Cream is usually left on the skin for about 8 hours. Treatment should continue for the full 16 weeks even if all actinic keratoses appear to be gone, unless you are told otherwise by your healthcare provider. The area you treat with Aldara Cream should be no larger than approximately the size of your forehead or one cheek (for example 2 inches).

Warnings/Precautions

If you notice severe skin irritation or flu-like symptoms (diarrhea, fatigue, fever, headache, or muscle pain), check with your doctor. It may be necessary for you to reduce the number of times a day that you use the medicine or to stop using the medicine for a short time until your skin is less irritated or your flu-like symptoms disappear. Avoid having genital, oral, or anal sex while the medicine is on your skin. Make sure you wash the cream off your skin before you engage in any sexual activity. Also, the medicine contains oils that can weaken latex (rubber) condoms, diaphragms, or cervical caps causing them not to work properly to prevent pregnancy. Do not use any other skin product on the same skin area on which you use this medicine, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Do not share your medicine with others, even if you think that they have the same condition you have. If you are pregnant, check with your health care provider.

Missed Dose

Apply the missed dose of cream as soon as you remember and then continue on the regular schedule.

Possible Side Effects

The most common side effects with Aldara Cream are skin reactions at the treatment site including:
- redness,
- swelling,
- a sore, blister, or ulcer,
- skin that becomes hard or thickened,
- skin peeling,
- scabbing and crusting,
- itching,
- burning,
- changes in skin color that do not always go away.

Storage

Store below 25oC (77oF). Avoid freezing. Safely throw away Aldara Cream that is out of date or that you do not need. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.

Overdose

Persistent topical overdosing of Aldara Cream could result in an increased incidence of severe local skin reactions and may increase the risk for systemic reactions.

More Information

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use Aldara Cream for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Aldara Cream to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. If you would like more information, talk with your healthcare provider. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about Aldara Cream that is written for the healthcare provider.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.

Other info about Aldara at Wikipedia.org and other resources:

The efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara) in the treatment of aural plaque in horses: a pilot open-label clinical trial.
In conclusion, the topical application of imiquimod 5% cream is an efficacious treatment for aural plaques in horses. PMID: 20500494 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Veterinary Dermatology)

Meda Acquires Exclusive Rights To New Treatment Of Actinic Keratosis
Meda has acquired exclusive European rights to a new formulation of imiquimod from Graceway Pharmaceuticals. The new formulation is 3,75% imiquimod topical cream indicated for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). This product has recently been approved in the US and Canada. Today, Meda markets a higher strength (5%) of imiquimod in Europe under the trademark Aldara. In 2009, sales of Aldara were approximately 500 MSEK. 3,75% imiquimod can be used on a significantly larger treatment area, it is once-daily and more tolerable due to the decreased concentration... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

[New perspective in immunotherapy: local imiquimod treatment.]
Authors: Kemény L, Nagy N Imiquimod belongs to the family of synthetic small nucleotid-like molecules of imidazoquinolinamines. It is an immune response modifier with potent antiviral and antitumor effects, which are mediated by Toll-like receptors (TLR7 and TLR8). Imiquimod targets predominantly TLR7 expressing plasmacytoid dendritic cells and Langerhans cells, with secondary recruitment and activation of other inflammatory cells. Activation of TLR7 results in the stimulation of the innate and acquired immune responses, in particular cell mediated immune pathways. Topical imiquimod cream 5% (Aldara, MEDA Pharma) has been found to be effective for the treatment of actinic keratoses, superficial basal cell carcinoma and anogenital warts. Topical imiquimod is especially recommended fo...

ALDARA (Imiquimod) Cream [Graceway Pharmaceuticals, LLC]
Updated Date: Apr 29, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Fougera Announces First Generic Approval of Imiquimod Cream 5% (Rx), Equivalent to Aldara
MELVILLE, N.Y., February 25, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- E. Fougera & Co., a leading specialty pharmaceutical manufacturer, today announced it has received first generic approval from the FDA for Imiquimod Cream 5% (Rx). Fougera's Imiquimod Cream 5% is... (Source: Drugs.com - New Drug Approvals)