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
 
 3  BCC Extreme burning & itching around site, some stabbing and burning. Diahrea comes anytime I eat, mood swings, lack of energy or interest. Site went from the size of a pin head to 3 inches by 4 inches in size. I covered the site with gauze pads and tape, used bandaids when I could but the adhesive burned my skin too. After using for a month, my derm gave me some Biafine. That took the burning and itching away instantly although I need to use it more than the prescriped use. I bought some Aquaphore - that helps lots. Keeps the air from getting to it. The BCC is on my colarbone and everything rubs from seatbelt to clothes. Very uncomfortable, over the course of 3 months, it is starting to look better but is still very sensitive. Not sure the sensitivity will ever go away. New stabbing sensations have shown up. F 51 3 months
1/18/2010
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 1  Basal Cell Cancers on face I only used it two days on my forehead. On the third day I woke up with diarrhea, abdominal cramping, red burning cheeks, slight fever, acid stomach and throat. I felt ill for 3 days and couldn't eat. The next few days I still have an acid stomach and am burping all the time and feel weak. After doing all the research online I wished so much that I NEVER used it for even a minute. How can doctors recommend this when there are so many adverse reactions? F 57 2 days
1/12/2010
 4  HPV Nothing I couldn't handle Aldara IS going to give you open sores... but when it does stop using it and switch to neosporin or triple antibiotic. Then when your skin is healed if you have another wart try it again. But you need to know that YES it is going to burn, itch, give you open skin, and HURT a lot. I'd rather hurt then let this virus take over my vag. And it is EXPENSIVE even with insurance. F 24 2 months
1/10/2010
 3  BCC on forehead Initial dose was daily use resulting in severe reaction with oozing sores, thick scabs, bleeding, swelling. Derm had me discontinue for 2 weeks during which I cleaned with hydrogen peroxide follwed by neosporin. Resumed treatment 5-days on 2-days off; reaction was still too severe; reduced treatment to every other day during the week and not on weekends. I have two weeks left to complete the 90-day cycle and will do so since I have invested the time and effort. In the last few weeks I've experienced lower back pain and at times severe throbbing in my legs -- calves and ham strings. I can hardly wait until I can stop. I am concerned about permanent scarring and will try using the aloe vera gel as another reviewer recommends. I understand you have to wait 12 weeks post treatment to really evaluate the effect. Will adjust rating after that time. Right side of forehead was most severe initially and now it appears to be healing and looks much better. The left side of forehead is now experiencing a severe reaction -- hope it will also clear up in the next two weeks. Not sure I would use again without longer discussion with dermatologist. F 57 90 days
1/4/2010
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 1  Planters Wart It just didn't work. the foot doctor I went to prescribed this medicine for a Planters Wart I have on the bottom of my foot. His dosage was for me to apply it twice a day (once in the morning and once at night as I go to bed). I tried it for a month and there was no change in my condition. I would not recommend this drug to anyone for a Planters Wart. M 66 31 days
1/4/2010
 3  GW sores, itching I posted on here on 12/09 stating that i had sores and would let them heal before staring up again....well, i decided NOT to continue treatment as i was scared about the lasting effects Aldera would have on my body. I had read a bunch of testimonials about people using Apple Cider Vinegar to get rid of warts and i decided to try that. They all say NOT to use it to treat GW, but i tried it anyways, and it totally worked! i used Aldera for 7 weeks and saw no change, but with the ACV they were ALL GONE in less than a week. No pain, no sores, no lasting effects. I'm not a Dr. but hey, they look gone to me, and it's really only cosmetic down there anyways. F 23 7 weeks
1/3/2010
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 1   Itching, fatigue, backache, hip feeling sore on left side, runny nose, and insomnia. I am so glad I researched Aldara. My dr. prescribed it to me for BCC in 3 places (the forehead and 2 on the back area). Sense I have been taking Aldara I have not felt normal. The sores are really itchy and red. My back aches all the time and my stomach makes a gurgling sound all the time and I have been extremely fatigue. Christmas was a week ago and I could hardly wake up to see my kids open their presents and as soon as they did I went back to bed. I could hardly stay awake while traveling short distances to family. I thought it would pass but after not being able to sleep and all the other symptoms I decided to google Aldara. I have had other BCC and the Dr. would always cut it out or lazer it out. I want to know why Aldara is a better method? I would rather go through the cutting and stiches than feel like I do. I am going to disscontinue it for a few days until I can talk to a few other doctors. F 36 6 weeks
1/2/2010
 1  Minor skin lesions Flu-like symptoms. Shooting pain up the back of my head. Pain across my shoulders and in my right forearm. Twinges of pain in my chest. Pain in the pelvic area and down both legs. Hemorrhage in my right eye. My dermatologist prescribed Aldara twice - in March 2009 and October 2009. Each course of treatment consisted of 12 applications, for which there were 12 sachets of the drug. I was to apply Aldara (mainly to my forehead) for five days, take two days off, apply it for another five days, take two days off, and then apply it for two days. I didn't have bcc; just a few minor lesions. My dermatologist said the Aldara would clear these up and reduce the risk of bcc developing in the future. There was no warning of possible side effects, except that I would look "a bit of a mess" for a while. And I have to say that, the first time I used Aldara, I suffered no side effects that I remember (apart from the local effects on the skin). But five days after I started using it in October, I came down with flu-like symptoms. At first, I thought I did have a touch of flu - and continued to apply the cream. But after six days of pain, for which I took codeine, paracetamol and aspirin at night, I suspected the Aldara was to blame, and did a Google search for "Aldara+side effects". I read some of the testimonies I found on the first page of Google results, which were enough to persuade me not to use the three remaining sachets of the drug. The pain continued for about five more days, but affected a smaller and smaller area until it was eventually confined to my lower legs and ankles. I then suffered a hemorrhage in my right eye, which left half of it badly bloodshot for more M 69 2 weeks
12/25/2009
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 5  GW Between week 2 and week 3, the head of my penis became red in some parts (kind of a rash) but I experienced no pain. Thank you Aldara ... in just 3 weeks of use, all my GW got completely cleared (I had two good dozens of them). First 2 days or so nothing happened, then between day 3 and the middle of the second week all my GW started to turn red. Afterwards, the GW started to be destroyed (the larger ones over three to four days) so that I was completely cleared by the beginning of the third week. At the end of the third week, I stopped the treatment. The head of my penis was then starting to turn red in some parts because the drug is really powerful (use *very* little of it and *never forget to wash it off*; please, please, read this again out loud: VERY LITTLE OF IT: this is *extremely powerful*). Good luck in this ordeal, it has proven extremely helpful for me ! M 26 3 weeks
12/23/2009
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 2  Gw Burning, itching and sores Can somebody help me??? What will help the sores heel???? F 18 6 days
12/23/2009
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 5  GW anal Just came back from my follow up appointment a month to the day after using Aldara. I'm completly in the clear. Ofcourse it's only natural to finish the rest of the cream, but now I just have to use it 2 times per week for a month, then once a week till it's all gone. I never had any major side effects until recently. But it was mostly just itching, almost like being bitten by a fire ant. And I did experience mild body aches the day after applying the cream. I would like to thank the people on here that I contacted, and answered my questions. Good Luck to anyone else trying this cream. M 33 1 months
12/15/2009
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 3  GW itching, sores I have maybe 10-15 very small GW from my labia to my perineum. I noticed the warts about 4 months ago and started taking Aldara 7 weeks ago. I've used it just like the package and my Dr. said; one day on, one day off, except that I thought it wasn't working so I didn't wash it off. I just about DIED when i noticed 3 sores on my labia. i thought I had herpes, too. After i read this I sat in a warm bath and got it all off. BTW, those who can't pee because of the pain: try peeing in a warm shower. inconvenient, but it helps a lot. Mine never hurt that bad. just stung a little. I'm going to let them heal, then start up again. Has anyone else tried apple cider vinegar??? F 23 7 days
12/9/2009
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 2  genital warts open sores, burning while urinating, redness, extremely tender labias I first used Aldara about a year ago, everything was normal and it worked fine. My warts flared up again, so I began a taking it again (a current prescription). About 3 days later my labia and area between my vagina and anus flammed up with extremely painful sores. I thought I had herpes until I called my gyno and she explained it was a bad reation. I definetely used too much of this stuff. Please be careful and apply it correctly. Im still suffering with the herpes like sores and its been a week, this is exteremly uncomfortable. F 24 3 days
12/6/2009
 1  genital warts SEVERE SKIN RASH ON MY SCROTUM AND PENIS.. WARTS REMAIN INTACT, NEW WARTS APPEARED.. THE SKIN ON MY PENIS IS FLAKING AWAY LIKE IT WAS DEAD... LEVING BEHIND IT RED, BLOODY AND ULTRASENSITIVE SKIN-- THE WARTS THAT WERE SMALL, SKIN COLORED AND BARELY NOTICABLE ARE NOW BRIGHT RED HUGE AND DISGUSTING LOOKING IT FEELS LIKE MY PENIS AND SCROTUM IS ON FIRE....DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY M 24 7 days
12/6/2009
 3  moluscum ughh i have moluscum on my groin area, i have frozen some of them off but they keep reappearing so my doc prescribed aldara. i have been using it for about 3-4 weeks and its been slooooowlly working. i have notced a few them to be scabbing (i think). However 2 BIG side-effects: 1. the moluscum have began to reallly really itch but you cant scratch them because it would spread more, so wtf?! 2. i think the aldara got on my scrotum somehow because I am in deep deep pain. My scrotum has become extremely irritated and it BURNSS. I cant sleep without pain, I cant walk withou pain, wtf! Cursed the bitch that gave me moluscum! M 23 3 weeks
12/5/2009
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 4  hpv Minor itching, some burning, some erosion/sores. Talked to my doctor about the burning and sores, and he has me doing 2-3 weeks on, taking a week off and starting up again. You shouldn't put the medication on any open sores, so if you've got them, STOP, wait til they clear, and start the Aldara back up. I've used Aldara for three outbreaks over the past 6 years and it's worked for me every time. F 26 3 times
11/30/2009
 5  GW anal mild itiching after 2 weeks I posted on here on Nov.12, right before I was to start using the drug and was horrifed about some of the side effects I read about. I feel compelled to now report my result from using Aldara on Anal Warts. First of all, no matter who gave it to you, how or where you have warts. Stop treating yourself like a victim. I assume most people have educated themselves on the transmission of HPV and the chance of having warts. My boyfriend and I got all the facts and although he has not shown any signs of having HPV, more then likely he has it. I am still waiting for my follow up appointement from my doctor to be sure, but after 2 weeks of using Aldara, with 2 day breaks inbetween, there are no more visible signs of warts. Again, waiting for a doc to confirm this. Everyone reacts differently to medication, but I almost backed out from trying the drug after reading other peoples side effects. You need to try this for yourself! I had mild irritation on the non affected areas of my bum. No loss of sleep, no spreading etc. The hardest part was trying to turn around trying to see exactly where to put it. I really hope if you are feeling down about this that my post cheers you up. I also stronly suggest you call your local anonymous STI hotline and get the facts from a medical professional. M 33 2 weeks
11/29/2009
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 4  HPV/GW Itching ranging from mild to moderate the day after I apply. The second day afterwards, I feel fine! The itching is no worse then the itching I experience when I have an outbreak of warts (I've never had pain with them like some people, only INTENSE itching). Also I follow the directions exactly: apply at bedtime only to affected areas; rub in completely; wash off in the morning; apply 3x/week. With some of the side effects listed on this site, it seems like people may have been using too much of the creme, or using it too often. Also, my doctor said that if I have additional irritation, to hold off on the next dose until the skin irritation clears (so use it less than 3x per week). Always follow MD recommendations! I've had TCA treatments, and liquid nitrogen treatments with varying sucess. The warts would clear (but not completely) but would come back within a short time (and were actually WORSE after the liqid nitrogen). So far, after three treatments with Aldara, there has been a significant decrease in the number and thickness of the warts. Here's hoping this does the trick.... F 33 7 days
11/29/2009
 4  HPV/GW Slight itching, keeps me really fatigued. Well, I am glad I was put on this medicene before reading all the comments on this site. I just applied the 3rd packet, so this is my first week being on Aldara and I am already seeing results. Yeah it is itchy but you know I would rather a little itching at night rather than a lifetime of "holy crap what is on your crotch!". Grow up people. BTW. Make sure you are in a monogamous relationship, hopefully this will not happy to you. :) F 19 3 days
11/27/2009
 1  actinic keratosis Applied to chest area--entire chest broke out in red blisters that oozed, itched, burned, and after 8 weeks of using Aldara is still not showing any signs of improvement. Also, each day after using the drug, experience anxiety, low-grade fever, chills, muscle aches, flu-like symptoms--pretty much incapacitated on the day after using twice each week. Does anyone out there have any insight as to when I will see improvement? Will I have to go the entire 12 weeks and finish the last dose before I start to heal? I feel like I'm scared for life--this is sooooo bad! Was not even aware of actinic keratosis until physician's assistant brought to my attention and prescribed Aldara. Did not warn me of side effects. I'd rather take my chances with the actinic keratosis than use this drug again. Has been prescribed for 12 weeks--am into 9th week now. Will continue to the end, but would never do this again. F 63 8 weeks
11/24/2009
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