Imiquimod

Molluscum Contagiosum, Condylomata Acuminata, Carcinoma, Basal Cell + 3 more
Treatment
8 FDA approvals
2 Active Studies for Imiquimod

What is Imiquimod

ImiquimodThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryImiquimod is a medicine used to treat skin conditions caused by viruses, such as warts on the genital and anal areas. It does not kill the virus that causes warts, but it can help stop new warts from appearing. Imiquimod can also be used to treat actinic keratoses, a skin condition that affects the face and scalp, as well as some types of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma.
Aldarais the brand name
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Imiquimod 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
Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
Actinic Keratoses of the face
Condylomata Acuminata
Scalp structure
Carcinoma, Basal Cell
Condylomata Acuminata

Effectiveness

How Imiquimod Affects PatientsImiquimod is a medication used to help control the growth of warts on the skin, usually in the genital and anal areas. It does not cure warts or attack the virus that causes them, but it does reduce the amount of warts appearing. Imiquimod is not recommended for use inside the vagina, penis, or rectum. It is also used to treat actinic keratoses and certain types of skin cancer (superficial basal cell carcinoma) on areas such as the face and lower legs, where surgery or other treatments may not be feasible.
How Imiquimod works in the bodyImiquimod works by activating the immune system to respond to the treated area. It does not directly fight viruses, but it does encourage the body to produce certain proteins that help fight off infection. In the case of treating basal cell carcinoma, imiquimod triggers the immune system to send in lymphocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages to fight off the cancerous cells. It also stimulates apoptosis, which is the programmed death of unhealthy cells in the area.

When to interrupt dosage

The specified dosage of Imiquimod is contingent upon the diagnosed disorder, such as Communicable Diseases, Face and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma. The amount likewise fluctuates as per the technique of delivery (e.g. Cream - Topical or Topical) highlighted 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
, Cream, Topical, Cream - Topical, 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
, Cream, Topical, Cream - Topical, 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
, Cream, Topical, Cream - Topical, 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
, Cream, Topical, Cream - Topical, 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
, Cream, Topical, Cream - Topical, 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
, Cream, Topical, Cream - Topical, Gel - Topical, Gel, Cutaneous, Cream - Cutaneous

Warnings

Imiquimod Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Pulse Frequency
Do Not Combine
There are 6 known major drug interactions with Imiquimod.
Common Imiquimod 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.
Imiquimod Toxicity & Overdose RiskOverdosing on ibuprofen can lead to flu-like symptoms, including fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, and muscle pain.
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Imiquimod Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Imiquimod?

Currently, 9 active clinical trials are underway to investigate the efficacy of Imiquimod in treating 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
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Communicable Diseases
1 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3
Face
0 Actively Recruiting

Imiquimod Reviews: What are patients saying about Imiquimod?

5Patient Review
9/25/2019
Imiquimod for Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia
After using this treatment on my upper lip, I developed a full blister across my bottom lip that was incredibly painful. Stopped use immediately and have been given prednisone and Pepcid to help with the reaction.
5Patient Review
5/11/2021
Imiquimod for External Genital Warts
I had been using liquid nitrogen for a few months to try and get rid of a wart on my finger, but it just wouldn't go away. I decided to give this cream a try, and at first there was no change. But after about a month, the skin around the wart became very inflamed, scabbed, bled, burned, and itchy. It was extremely painful to touch and very tender. However, I think that's just the cream doing its job. I didn't experience any flu-like symptoms like other people have reported.
4.3Patient Review
11/24/2020
Imiquimod for External Genital Warts
The medication is effective, but the side effects are not fun. I'm looking forward to the warts being gone and no longer having to deal with this burning sensation and flu-like symptoms.
4Patient Review
4/15/2021
Imiquimod for Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin
I've been using this treatment for three weeks now, as per my doctor's orders, and while it has killed the cancer cells, I am now left with oozing blisters from my nose down to my lip. It also created sores on my lower lip and inside my mouth. I have felt exhausted ever since starting the treatment, and the burning sensation is unbearable at times. If this treatment can heal me completely, then it will be worth it; however, unless the area is biopsied again, who knows if it truly is effective?
3.3Patient Review
8/16/2022
Imiquimod for External Genital Warts
I saw a significant improvement over the course of four months, but I ultimately decided to stop using it in favor of ablation.
View All Reviews
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Patient Q&A Section about imiquimod

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

Is imiquimod a steroid?

"Imiquimod has been shown to be a very effective therapy for superficial basal cell Carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis.

Imiquimod is a non-steroidal medication that increases the activity of the immune system. It is available under the trade names Aldara and Zyclara. It is primarily available as a cream. Imiquimod has been shown to be a very effective therapy for superficial basal cell Carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis."

Answered by AI

What is imiquimod used to treat?

"Imiquimod is a medication used to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. It works by activating the immune system to help the body fight viruses that cause warts. It is not known how imiquimod works for actinic keratosis or skin cancer."

Answered by AI

How long does it take for imiquimod to work?

"The majority of patients observed complete wart clearance after using 5% imiquimod cream. Of those who saw wart disappearance, 44% were clear by 8 weeks and 69% were clear by 12 weeks. Out of the total patients using the cream, 77% of women and 40% of men experienced complete wart clearance."

Answered by AI

How does imiquimod work on HPV?

"Imiquimod can kill viral infected cells and tumour cells by inducing programmed cell death. If more HPV infected KCs are made apoptotic when Langerhans cells are activated by imiquimod, more HPV related antigens will be taken up and processed by LCs, activating a more robust adaptive immune response."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Imiquimod

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Verified Trials OnlyAll of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.
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