Aldara

Molluscum Contagiosum, Condylomata Acuminata, Carcinoma, Basal Cell + 3 more

Treatment

8 FDA approvals

1 Active Study for Aldara

What is Aldara

Imiquimod

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Imiquimod is a medication used to treat warts on the genital and anal areas. It can also be used to treat a skin condition of the face and scalp called actinic keratoses, and certain types of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma. Imiquimod does not cure warts and new warts may appear during treatment, however, it does help to control their production by activating the body's own immune system.

Aldara

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Aldara Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Aldara

Imiquimod

1997

27

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Imiquimod, also known as Aldara, is approved by the FDA for 8 uses like Face and Actinic Keratoses of the scalp .

Face

Actinic Keratoses of the scalp

Actinic Keratoses of the face

Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

Condylomata Acuminata

Scalp structure

Carcinoma, Basal Cell

Condylomata Acuminata

Effectiveness

How Aldara Affects Patients

Imiquimod is a drug used to treat warts on the skin in the genital and anal areas. It does not get rid of the virus that causes warts, but it helps to reduce and control wart production. It should not be used on warts inside the vagina, penis, or rectum. Imiquimod is also used for actinic keratoses, a skin condition on the face and scalp, and for certain types of skin cancer. It is especially helpful in treating areas of the body where surgery or other treatments may be hard, such as the face and lower legs.

How Aldara works in the body

Imiquimod works by stimulating the immune system to respond to the affected area. It does not have any direct antiviral activity, but it does increase the expression of certain cytokines and interleukins, which helps to bring cells such as lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages to the tumor site. This can lead to an inflammatory response and eventual apoptosis of the diseased tissue. In the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, Imiquimod is believed to act as an immune system modulator and trigger apoptosis in the cancer cells.

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed dosage of Aldara is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, such as Communicable Diseases, Face and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma. The quantity of dosage fluctuates as per the delivery technique (e.g. Cream - Topical or Topical) detailed in the table beneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Face

, 0.05 mg/mg, 0.125 mg/mg, 3.75 %, 5.0 %, 2.5 %, 0.0375 mg/mg, 0.0025 mg/mg, 0.025 mg/mg

, Topical, Cream - Topical, Cream, Gel - Topical, Gel, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous

Condylomata Acuminata

, 0.05 mg/mg, 0.125 mg/mg, 3.75 %, 5.0 %, 2.5 %, 0.0375 mg/mg, 0.0025 mg/mg, 0.025 mg/mg

, Topical, Cream - Topical, Cream, Gel - Topical, Gel, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous

Carcinoma, Basal Cell

, 0.05 mg/mg, 0.125 mg/mg, 3.75 %, 5.0 %, 2.5 %, 0.0375 mg/mg, 0.0025 mg/mg, 0.025 mg/mg

, Topical, Cream - Topical, Cream, Gel - Topical, Gel, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous

Communicable Diseases

, 0.05 mg/mg, 0.125 mg/mg, 3.75 %, 5.0 %, 2.5 %, 0.0375 mg/mg, 0.0025 mg/mg, 0.025 mg/mg

, Topical, Cream - Topical, Cream, Gel - Topical, Gel, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous

Molluscum Contagiosum

, 0.05 mg/mg, 0.125 mg/mg, 3.75 %, 5.0 %, 2.5 %, 0.0375 mg/mg, 0.0025 mg/mg, 0.025 mg/mg

, Topical, Cream - Topical, Cream, Gel - Topical, Gel, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous

Scalp structure

, 0.05 mg/mg, 0.125 mg/mg, 3.75 %, 5.0 %, 2.5 %, 0.0375 mg/mg, 0.0025 mg/mg, 0.025 mg/mg

, Topical, Cream - Topical, Cream, Gel - Topical, Gel, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous

Warnings

Aldara Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Pulse Frequency

Do Not Combine

There are 6 known major drug interactions with Aldara.

Common Aldara Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Allogeneic processed thymus tissue

Minor

The therapeutic efficacy of Allogeneic processed thymus tissue can be decreased when used in combination with Imiquimod.

Inebilizumab

Minor

The risk or severity of infection can be increased when Imiquimod is combined with Inebilizumab.

Vibrio cholerae CVD 103-HgR strain live antigen

Minor

The therapeutic efficacy of Vibrio cholerae CVD 103-HgR strain live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Imiquimod.

Haloperidol

Moderate

The serum concentration of Haloperidol can be increased when it is combined with Imiquimod.

Magnesium

Moderate

The serum concentration of Magnesium can be decreased when it is combined with Imiquimod.

Aldara Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Overdosing on ibuprofen may cause fever, tiredness, headaches, stomach upset, diarrhea, and muscle pain.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Aldara Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Aldara?

9 active clinical trials are currently investigating the potential of Aldara to treat Molluscum Contagiosum, Facial conditions, and Condylomata Acuminata.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Condylomata Acuminata

0 Actively Recruiting

Carcinoma, Basal Cell

0 Actively Recruiting

Scalp structure

0 Actively Recruiting

Molluscum Contagiosum

0 Actively Recruiting

Communicable Diseases

0 Actively Recruiting

Face

0 Actively Recruiting

Aldara Reviews: What are patients saying about Aldara?

5

Patient Review

10/12/2022

Aldara for Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

Superficial BCC: Within two weeks, the inflammation had gone down and the lesion was completely removed. There was a small depression left behind, but that's to be expected. The psoriasis patch was also removed and healed within ten days without any problems.

5

Patient Review

3/28/2022

Aldara for External Genital Warts

I was hesitant to try this treatment, but I'm glad that I did. Within one month of using the cream, my symptoms completely cleared up. It was a bit sore at first, but it was well worth it in the end.

4

Patient Review

12/26/2019

Aldara for Roughened Red Patches of Skin due to Sun Exposure

I just completed a two-week course of this treatment on a facial blemish, and it's significantly decreased in size. It's still red and sore, but I'm hopeful that it will continue to improve with time.

2.3

Patient Review

2/1/2019

Aldara for Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

I had used Apsara for a BCC on my shoulder and face. Unfortunately, I had severe fatigue, headache, nausea, and dizziness as reactions. This happened even when I spaced out the treatments to be once every two months! Additionally, it's been more than 10 days since my last treatment and I'm still feeling sick. The good news is that the BCC appears to be gone but I would not recommend this method because of how unwell it made me feel.

2.3

Patient Review

6/15/2018

Aldara for Roughened Red Patches of Skin due to Sun Exposure

After using Aldara on my nose only, I developed a cold sore on my lip. It grew into a huge, painful lesion, cracked, bleeding lips and red, raw patches inside my lip. It was so painful that I was on the verge of tears for a week. 2 weeks later, it's still not better. My doctor didn't warn me topical Aldara could become systemic and lead to such a drastic side effect.

2.3

Patient Review

3/3/2019

Aldara for Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

I used Aldara cream for a skin cancer on my head, per my dermatologist's orders. After four weeks of use, I now have a large bald patch where the cream was applied. My dermatologist lied to me and said this wouldn't happen. I'm feeling incredibly depressed and suicidal as a result of this disfigurement.

2.3

Patient Review

4/25/2018

Aldara for Roughened Red Patches of Skin due to Sun Exposure

After using Aldara, I developed an autoimmune disease.

2.3

Patient Review

4/25/2018

Aldara for Roughened Red Patches of Skin due to Sun Exposure

After using Aldara, I have now developed an auto immune disease.

1.7

Patient Review

7/6/2022

Aldara for Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin

Recently had a confirmed bcc on my lower leg. Was prescribed Aldara (5wk treatment) in the hopes of avoiding surgery which I had had on my other leg 12mths earlier in almost the exact same spot. Used the cream and got nothing including no side effects. No scabbing, no redness - absolutely nothing. It was more like a moisturiser for me. As a result, I now have matching scars on each leg.

1

Patient Review

4/7/2019

Aldara for External Genital Warts

I've been using aldara for over a month on very small warts. Instead of going away, they've actually gotten larger and more numerous. I have no idea what's going on.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about aldara

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What does Aldara cream do?

"Imiquimod cream, also known as Aldara, is a cancer treatment for basal cell skin cancer (BCC) and a skin condition called actinic (solar) keratosis."

Answered by AI

Does Aldara get rid of warts?

"In clinical studies, 50% of patients who used Aldara topical cream 3 days a week for 16 weeks had their external genital warts completely cleared. The average time to have the affected area cleared was 10 weeks."

Answered by AI

Does Aldara have side effects?

"Aldara can cause some common side effects. These include reactions where you apply it, such as skin redness, swelling, itching, irritation, dryness, burning, pain, tenderness, thickening/hardening of the skin, peeling/flaking/scabbing/crusting, or leaking a clear fluid."

Answered by AI

How long does it take for Aldara to start working?

"It usually takes 8-10 weeks for your warts to disappear, but warts may clear as early as 4 weeks. However, if your warts reappear, talk to your doctor. In addition, if your skin reacts badly to Aldara, your doctor may recommend that you stop treatment for a few days."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Aldara