ALDARA Reviews (IMIQUIMOD)

Average Rating: 2.9 (856 Ratings)

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 DERMATOLOGICS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

ALDARA  (IMIQUIMOD):  This medication is used to treat certain types of growths on the skin. These are precancerous growths (actinic keratoses), a certain type of skin cancer (superficial basal cell carcinoma), and warts on the outside of the genitals/anus. Treating these conditions can decrease complications from them. Imiquimod belongs to a group of drugs called immune response modifiers. It is believed to work by helping to activate your immune system to fight these abnormal skin growths. This product is not recommended for use on children under 12 years of age unless specifically directed by your doctor.   FDA Approval Date: 1997-02-27 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

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Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

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RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR ALDARACOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 1  Genital Warts I started taking this stuff for genital warts and went through two cycles with no results beyond the bad side effects of herpes like sores and swelling. My warts didn't go away and now I'm waiting to go to another doctor to hopefully tell me I don't have herpes. I would definitely say just freeze them off. Please email me if you also thought you had herpes! M 22
3X day
3/12/2011
 5  Superficial BCC on temple No real side effects apart from expected scab formation. The scab was formed within 1 week and fell off a week later. Skin is smooth and pink underneath and I will be interested in how this develops over the next week or so. As someone who has had 5 surgical procedures on face and neck for BCCs this drug appears to have saved me from having further surgery.At the moment it seems to have been excellent. M 65 10 days
2X day
3/10/2011
 4  BCC on chin Localised redness and scabbing. Rather like cold sore in week 3 with some weeping. Tiredness in weeks 4 & 5. 2 weeks after finishing the 6 week course chin is almost back to normal. Just a little pink but hopefully that will go. No sign of the BCC but will not know for certain until 6 months have passed. Aldara is not a pleasant experience but it does appear to work and is preferable to surgery. As others have put, follow the instructions carefully. F 56 6 weeks
1X day
3/10/2011
Email
 3  HPV/GW My BF cheated on me and gave me genital warts. Yay right? I started using Aldara about 3 weeks ago. For 2 weeks I hardly had any side effects; a little soreness but that was it. Last week I started feeling really tired and ended up getting an ear infection from hell and later I started having fevers, chest congestion, sore throat, blurred vision, body aches-the works! I've been sick as hell for a week and have missed work. My dr said to use sparingly, which I believed I was doing. She said I could get some "flu-like" symptoms. She never said I'd be getting the flu from hell that exceeds "flu-like" sypmtoms. However in her defense the pharmacy pamplet was not much more help! I think it is worth using but I believe they need to be MUCH-MUCH clearer on application, dosage, and when to or not to apply the medication. They need to be much clearer on how drastically it can effect your immune system. Last time I was ~this~ sick was when I had MONO when I was 16. The first few weeks I noticed decreased size of the warts and I plan to resume use one I feel better and skin ulcerations have healed. But I'm going to take the advice of others and use a q-tip and take much more time in applying. From the studies I have done surgical removal seems to be the easier route HOWEVER it also has a higher liklihood of returning. I will continue use of Aldara, but very carefully! F 26 3 weeks
3X W
3/6/2011
 3  GW After two days of horrible pain, I'm totally normal now, and the warts are gone. Makes sense because it seemed like it was eating my flesh, but now I look as good as new. If anything ever comes back I probably won't use aldara though. Cryogenic surgery would be better I think. F 22
5% 1X day
3/4/2011
Patient History
 3  Anal Warts Burning of skin around anus, slight bleeding, severe pain when passing stools. Inflammation of skin tags around anus. You MUST apply Aldara VERY VERY sparingly, each small packet is designed to treat about 3 inches square, so a TINY amount is required per wart! Use too much and you will have bad flu symptons for a day or so, chills, and get a fever, I have done, twice so far, but getting dosage right now! External warts have reduced in number and size, but this has taken about 5 wks to notice any difference! Will update when I finish the 16 wk course! Good, but very painful due to my mistakes! Persevere and do the WHOLE course tho! M 41 40 days
12.5 1X day
3/2/2011
 1  bcc Horrific possible permanent side effects If you have been affected by Aldara, there is a class action law suit contact [email protected] and share your story. F 50 4 weeks
1X day
2/18/2011
 1  Genital Warts It's caused so much pain and redness, it feels like my penis has been dragging across concrete. I think I may have applied to liberally, and not focused just on the warts themselves. I plan to keep using it, but follow the advice of others and apply with a q-tip. I seem to have caught a nasty cold/flu but after reading other comments, it may be the medicine. If not better, I'll plan to see my doctor next week. M 23 2 weeks
5 % 3X W
2/18/2011
 5  HPV - GW mild pain/itching Great results after only 2 applications. I read this site before using and was very frightened, almost didn't go ahead with treatment. It is very important to apply a very small amount with a Q-tip and ONLY apply to the warts - I think people with chemical burns are using way too much and using it on skin without warts. I had 3 large warts (about the size of a pea) and 6 smaller ones - after 2 treatments 2 of the smaller ones are gone and the large ones have shrunk in size by at least half! Because Aldara works with your immune response, what I think helped alot was I waited 4 weeks and boosted my immune system before starting treatment. Lots of fruit & veg, exercise, vitamin supplements, and echinacea strengthened my immune response BEFORE starting Aldara & my results are amazing to me, thus far. I've stopped the echinacea as some research indicates a possible contraindication with Aldara, but continue to do everything I can to keep immune sys. strong and enhance the effects of aldara. Do your research and use it properly (only a small amount, only on actual warts) and hoping you have the same results! F 35 5 days
3X W
2/17/2011
 4  basal cell carcinoma Been using Aldara for last two weeks on bcc behind right ear. Have previously(3years ago} used this drug on ears and nose with very good results. Side effects tend to be headaches, tinitus and flu like symptums. They are depressive but I suppose no pain no gain. I use the cream very sparingly and each sachet lasts about 8 to 10 applications. Obviously for larger areas of coverage, greater quantities would be used. I apply before going to bed at night and shower next morning. This is repeated for 5 nights and then a break of two nights before recommencing treatment for next 5 nights. Total period will be 6 weeks. My previous usage was spectacularly successful and I have had no repetition of the previous bcc. I can only endorse the product for my own use but accept that there may be patients with bigger problems and correspondingly unacceptable side effects. These problems are for the medical fraternity to resolve. M 72 6 weeks
minimal 1X day
2/17/2011
 3   Second degree burn When you get a second degree burn with this product try silvadene or silver sulfadazine cream at 1 % not in face, Ice, solarcaine, triple antibiotic with pain releif... F 27 2 weeks
3X W
2/14/2011
 1  Warts down below PAIN, ITCHING, BURNING, CANT SIT, STAND, WALK, OR PEE WITHOUT PAIN. BLISTERS DOWN BELOW. POSSIBLE INFECTION. i been using this ALDARA crap for about 5 days and at first it was ok but now im in AGONY. i thought i was getting the flu friday turns out its the medicine causing me this drama... i got blisters down there and it burns when i pee... this aint cool man..... i was in the ER last night cuz of the pain.... now i have a ice pack down there to relieve some pain..... i didnt know this cream would cause me so much pain.... i cant sit or stand or walk with out pain... all i can do is lay down with out my underwear and pants on... that helps a good bit with the pain... guys and gals NEVER USE this cream even if it does work... i rather be in pain from the wart not the cream.... this aint normal... i rather deal with a bladder infection.... is u wanna cure your warts go on this website: gynob.com/infectio.htm then go all the way down to where it says HPV, NOT FROGS. read all that then bring it to your doctor and they can fix the problem and u wont ever have to worry about warts ever again down there just dont sleep with the guy who gave it to u F 18 5 days
????? 3X W
2/14/2011
Email
 2  warts on the hand F 24
1X day
2/9/2011
Email

Patient History
 5  HPV/ Genital Warts Itching, Burning, Sores, Painful Urination, Discharge from sores I began using Aldara a week ago when diagnosed with HPV, I consulted a Gynecologist who prescribed Aldara 3 times a week only, and every other week. She failed to mention that a very small amount would do the trick and I proceeded to slather the whole pack on the affected area all 3 times. As you can imagine this led to some VERY adverse effects. I have since noticed painful urination, my clitoris and labia have become very sensitive and painful and have discharged a clear liquid from the sores. It has become very painful and at times has brought me to tears and caused me to lose sleep. I have found that by applying vitamin E oil over my groin area has greatly helped both in relieving the pain and in healing the burns more rapidly. After 3 days I have went from extreme discomfort to a slight annoying irritation. While I was not fully informed by the doctor about the adverse effects, and the pamphlet from the pharmacy wasn't much better, I fully plan to continue my use of Aldara after allowing the sores to heal. I will use minimal amounts only on the remaining warts, as the Aldara cleared my warts up almost completely! It is a wonderful drug as I have tried the apple cider method and the green tea method to no avail! Hope this helps F 21 7 days
3X W
2/3/2011
 1  2 BCC's on face After 4 applications of Aldara (applied with a cotton bud very carefully and I still have most of the packet of Aldara left and only applied alternate days) I had severe swelling and redness on (R) jaw and left nostril and was told by the Dermatologist to cease the Aldara (I was to have only 8 applications totally) this was done in July, 2010. This Cream triggered my autoimmune system (there are a lot of Autoimmune diseases )and I now have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my neck, both shoulders, upper and lower arms and elbows, hands and wrists and in constant pain as my bones are eroding and I am also having severe side effects with the prescribed medications to counteract the Rheumatoid Arthritis(prednisone, Methotrexate (Chemotherapy) and sulfasalazine. I have since found out that if you have a very good autoimmune defence for diseases (common cold, flu etc and I would only have the flu every 7 or 8 years and had lots of marvellous energy) that aldara works only by triggering your own a F 70 1 weeks
4X W
1/31/2011
 3  Genital Warts itching, irritation I've only been using Aldara for a few weeks now and have not seen anything change. I'm trying to be patient and stick with this treatment and give it time but I feel hopeless. When I initially got checked out by my gyno I had the small amount of warts treated with acid. This didn't really help because more sprouted...I then got them treated again with acid two weeks later which again didn't help. The warts accumulated and have gotten bigger. I honestly feel hopeless but I know that this isn't an overnight process. I wonder if the Aldara is working and will it remove the warts completely after I'm done with my prescription but I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens. F 22 3 weeks
3X W
1/13/2011
 1  HPV-Genital warts LOTS OF PAIN!! Blisters, oozing, redness/tenderness, couldnt urinae without extreme pain etc. BEFORE using Aldera try the apple cider vinegar treatment. I Used Aldera back in September and had horrible side effects from it but my warts did go away. My boyfriend recently just broke out about a month and a half ago and instead of him going through the pain of Aldera I told him to try the Apple cider vinegar treatment first, and he did and IT WORKED!!!! All you do is soak/dab one side (either way) of a cotton ball with the vinegar and apply it to the effected area with a band aide or some kind of tape and leave it on over night. He didn't have many warts a about 4 small ones and 1 larger one on his shaft but they were literally gone within less than a week!!! and it was pain free!!!! F 21 1 weeks
3X W
1/3/2011
 4  Squamous Cell Carcinoma Itching, burning, oozing clear/yellowish fluid, flaking of skin, persistent low-grade fever, nausea, general fatigue and body aches. This is a necessary, difficult treatment. I contracted genetal warts from someone who chose not to disclose that information to me. The warts themselves cleared with treatment within 18 months (I contracted when I was 27). However, I noticed definitive skin changes around the head of my penis. It turned out to be squamous cell carcinoma via an HPV condition called bowenoid papulosis. Yeah...it's the "male" version of cervical cancer -- very rare, potentially very serious. So I'm treated with Aldara 5 times per week for six weeks; I'm a month in. It seems to be working, although the symptoms are significant. Then again, I am using an entire packet per treatment to cover the necessary area (my entire penis). If you contract HPV, please use this cream along with a vitamin regimen. Had my doctors and I not caught this scc early, it could have spread to my tissue and my penis would have had to be removed. Or I could have died. Deal with the side effects and use the cream. M 29 8 weeks
1X day
12/30/2010
 3  HPV GEnital warts Pain, open sores, burning, redness, itching I had a terrible reaction first up. I'm wondering if maybe it was because i didn't wait any time after my warts were frozen before applying the cream? Any way i have kept up the routine but started to avoid the ulcer like areas that formed early on, instead applying betadine to them and that seems to be working. I must be honest, it was a bit of a nightmare at first. The instructions could be much better. Apply only directly to the warts as many others have said. If you get nasty ulcers, give the cream a rest or at least stop putting it on those ulcerated areas. I've definitely noticed a reduction but will be speaking to my doctor next week about the possibility that my immediate application after freezing really promoted the forming of ulcers. Just be careful all! F 33 2 weeks
3X W
12/21/2010
 4  AK lesions on scalp Severe burning of lesions, frequent scalp itching, scabbing, bleeding, discharges; moderate itching rash on upper torso supposedly a side effect. General fatigue. This is round 2, first 2009. Treatment then was specific spots all over top half of scalp, requiring shaving bald before treatment. We should have been more aggressive back then, as now I have much more to treat again. It was bad advice to only treat visible AKs in 2009. The formerly treated areas are not inflamed this year, so they were eradicated. This time the dermatologist suspected more hidden AKs so I'm covering scalp 100% down to ears and totally bald again. Some cream got on top edge of one ear to open up a hidden AK there, so we've added it into the plan. Most of the scalp (80%) has some degree of red inflammation of countless small spots, a dozen deep lesions. Doctor is pleased! I am miserable, though get some relief from Lidocaine Cream and hydrocodone to enable sleep. It was taking more than one packet of Aldara to cover the area each day, difficult to resist using part of another. Doctor added Metrogel 1% to mix with cheaper generic cream (Imiquimod 5%) to double volume, spread over washed MOIST scalp beyond visible signs of cell damage. I am treating M-W-F instead of 5 days on and two off for 6 weeks. I've been through it before, know I'll end up with a scalp looking like a baby's behind. Will not forget sunscreen and wide brimmed hat. M 65 42 days
0.25 mg 1X day
12/13/2010

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