Aldara is used to treat genital warts caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It works by enhancing the body's natural defense mechanisms to fight the virus.
Product supplied may be from a different manufacturer
Aldara 5% Cream contains the active ingredient imiquimod. Imiquimod is used to treat external genital and peri-anal warts in adults. Imiquimod is an immune response modifier. This means that it stimulates a person’s immune system to release cytokines and works to attack the virus that causes genital warts- human papillomavirus. Imiquimod works towards clearing genital warts.
What else should I know about using Aldara cream?
How often should Aldara cream be used?
A thin layer of Aldara cream should be applied 3 times a week (for example Monday, Wednesday and Friday; or Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) at bedtime and should remain on the skin for 6 to 10 hours. After this period, Aldara cream should be washed off with mild soap and water Treatment should continue until the clearance of visible genital or perianal warts, or for a maximum of 16 weeks per episode of warts. If your genital warts are still present after this, please visit your GP or sexual health clinic for other treatment options.
How do I apply Aldara cream?
Before going to bed, wash your hands and the treatment area with mild soap and water. Dry thoroughly. Open a new sachet and squeeze some cream onto your fingertip. Apply a thin layer of Aldara cream onto clean, dry wart area and rub gently into the skin until cream vanishes. After application of the cream, throw away the opened sachet and wash hands with soap and water. Leave Aldara cream on the warts for 6 to 10 hours. Do not shower or bathe during this time. After 6 to 10 hours wash the area where Aldara cream was applied with mild soap and water.
Active ingredients
Imiquimod 5%
Inactive ingredients
Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Macrogol, Stearic acid, Sodium hydroxide (to adjust the pH) and Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
What are the side effects of Aldara?
Like all medications, Aldara has side effects that affect some people that take this medication.
Some very common side effects of Aldara include redness (61% patients), wearing away of the skin (30% patients), flakiness and swelling. Hardening under the skin, small open sores, a crust that forms during healing, and small bubbles under the skin may also occur.
You might also feel itching (32% patients), a burning sensation (26% patients) or pain in areas where you have applied Aldara cream (8% patients).
Most of these skin reactions are mild and the skin will return to normal within about 2 weeks after stopping treatment.
Patient Information Leaflet
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.
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