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Aldaraź
(imiquimod) Cream, 5%
Also see:
Aldara Condilox
Podofilox
For Dermatologic Use Only Not for Ophthalmic Use
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.
Imiquimod is an immune response modifier.
Imiquimod topical is used to treat actinic keratosis (a condition caused by too
much sun exposure) on the face and scalp.
Imiquimod topical is also used to treat a minor form of skin cancer called
superficial basal cell carcinoma, when surgery would not be an appropriate
treatment.
Imiquimod topical also treats genital warts that appear on the outside of the
body, but this medicine is not a cure for genital warts. Imiquimod may also be
used for purposes.
Aldara is the brand name for imiquimod which is
an immune response modifier. Each gram of the 5% cream contains 50 mg of
imiquimod in an off-white oil-in-water vanishing cream base consisting of
isostearic acid, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, white petrolatum, polysorbate
60, sorbitan monostearate, glycerin, xanthan gum, purified water, benzyl
alcohol, methylparaben, and propylparaben. Chemically, imiquimod is
1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo>4,5-c@quinolin-4-amine.
Imiquimod has a molecular formula of C14H16N4 and
a molecular weight of 240.3.
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