ALDARA Reviews (IMIQUIMOD)Average Rating: 2.9 (856 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare ALDARA with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 |
More on ALDARA: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR ALDARA | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | face | hair loss skin rash | M | 59 | 2 months | 3/26/2009 | 1 | gw hpv | open sores | I have had hpv since I was 16, but never had any abnormal paps or outbreaks since then. And I have had the gardasil shots. I have not been sexually active in the last 3 years, however, I just recently saw 4 small bumps on my pelvic area and was given aldara to treat it 3 times a week for 4 weeks. I have been using it as directed, as of the 2nd week, I saw no change in size of the bumps and started to develop open sores. The lotion never burned when applying it. I am now entering week 4 and still have bumps as well as new open sores. The sores don't burn or hurt, they are just ugly and annoying. NOT HAPPY. | F | 24 | 3 weeks | 3/24/2009 | 3 | basal cell carcinoma | I am taking Aldara because I have had many spots burnt off with liquid nitrogen on my face, hands and back over last 10 years (South African sun is vicious on a freckly skin). Nitrogen treatment does not remove the skin cancer for more than a few years. Every so often I have to go back and have new skin cancer on the edges of the old sites or the old sites themselves burnt off. So now I am trying Aldara. Aldara causes the sites to which the cream is applied to flare up as well as other surrounding seemingly clear areas where there is hidden skin cancer. For instance on my back the 2 large older areas measuring over 1 inch by 0.5 inch are now surrounded by about 15 other smaller spots where the aldara has activated my body to find skin cancer. The result is series of crusts measuring the size of my hand. On my face I was treating 2 main spots. The aldara has found several old sites and a few new ones. The 7- 10 sites have crusted over and the crusts are now beginning to break off, | I will persist with Aldara. It is finding the skin cancer and killing it. Burning off with Nitrogen has not worked in the long term. So I do not see other solutions insight. | M | 46 | 20 days | 3/22/2009 | 4 | GW | Itching, burning, EXTRAORDINARY pain when urinating. | The instructions say to wash the stuff off in the morning. For God's sake, do this! This is unfortunately by second outbreak...I stopped using it the first time after 2 weeks because I was in so much pain, so it's possible it never totally went away in the first place (the one wart I have is in the exact same spot it was in before). Again, be positively sure to WASH IT OFF in the morning. The doctor told me how to apply it, but failed to mention the washing off, and acted shocked when I told her that I was so uncomfortable. Keep in mind, this is one ghetto doctor, and said that it was probably my hair that was causing the discomfort...flawed logic, I think. Seeing a new doc next week and hopefully we'll get this thing taken care of once and for all. | F | 32 | 1 weeks | 3/20/2009 | 3 | HPV (GW) | So far minor soreness/itching, some redness, and scabbing | Taking it every other day, I have applied it VERY lightly every other day (making one packet last a week as recommended by my Doc) I ahve now put it on 3 times. When I saw the doc, he put acid on two of the warts, which burned a little, but he said would help jump-start the aldara because it would perforate the wart on a cellular level. The acid has scabbed and left one of the warts semi-open. Today I started to get a runny nose - it is unclear if im catching a cold or this is a symptom. I have also notices another tiny possible new wart forming. In addition my balls seem a bit tender. This all sounds worse written then I mean it too. overall I would say that if this works then these are VERY minor prices to pay. my question is, is what ive experienced so far normal. and also, my doc said that i dont need to necessarily apply it to every wart - as long as i get the main ones, the rest will go away too. Is this true? | M | 25 | 1 weeks | 3/19/2009 | 2 | HPV genital warts | Soreness, swelling, additional sores, rawness, lack of sleep, and lots of pain. | I have been taking this medication for a week, I can't urinate with out wanting to cry, i can't wipe with out wanting to die. I started with 3 small sores around my anus.. now the area between my vagina and anus is raw, and the left side of my vagina is completely inflamed. I can barely walk right, and it stinks. I realized that I should have read this site before I ever applied but I just assumed my doctor would warn me about this stuff. What ever you do, follow the directions, apply only as needed and take brakes or you will be in pain. Im relieved that i read this before my next doctors visit so I know what to expect. | F | 18 | 1 weeks | 3/18/2009 | 2 | GW | Itching, open sores on scrotum, fatigue | Was diagnosed with GW, but don't totally agree - "wart" looks more like a blood blister and the cream is having zero effect on it, although does cause minor side effects that are easily dealt with. Putting polysporin on surrounding area prior to using cream seemed to minimize the "burned" area. Plan to get blood test to ensure HPV is the problem. Partner of 18 years does not have any symptoms (per exam results) and no other outside relationships - seems a bit odd. Dr was quick with my diagnosis also - may seek second opinion, depending on blood test. | M | 50 | 13 weeks | 3/18/2009 | 2 | Genital Warts | PERMANENT NUMBNESS OF AREA TREATED / HEALTHY TISSUE AFFECTED ON SCROTUM FROM PENIS RESTING ON SCROTUM. NERVES SEVERED FROM CHEMICAL BURN. | BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL, YOU WILL LOSE FEELING AND SENSATION IN YOUR SCROTUM. ONLY USE A TINY BIT AND MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GET ON HEALTHY SKIN. ONCE YOU FEEL A SLIGHT BURN, STOP USING IMMEDIATELY. | M | 39 | 21 days | 3/15/2009 | 2 | BCC | The left side of my nose and cheek immediately became rashy, developed blisters, and itched like crazy. No reaction on the right side of my face, I think because the left side is always more exposed to the sun (when driving, etc.) The left seems to indicate more bcc. I, too, had flu like symptoms, upper respiratory (had to use inhaler), muscle and joint aches, general malaise. I HATE the rash that will not go away, despite ceasing drug use about a month ago. | I started using Aldara about 3 months ago. I see two dermatologts - one that performed MOHS, and one that monitors my bcc. The Dr. that performed MOHS prescribed Aldara 5x per week following my last surgery. The Dr. that monitors my bcc just about had a heart attack when she heard. Evidently, they both feel differently about the drug. She told me to use it only 2x a week, and even then very sparingly. I used it 3-4x a week for a month all over my face, figuring "how bad could it be?". I stopped using Aldara a month ago, but the rash and oozing blisters IS STILL HAPPENING! My question is: How do you get the rash to go away?! I stopped taking this drug after I read all of the participants comments. But how do I get rid of this stuff from my system, and get rid of the rash on my face? I look like I have leporosy. Help! Please feel free to contact me: [email protected] | F | 54 | | 3/14/2009 | 3 | Perianal Warts | Soreness (especially using the bathroom), Redness | Ok, firstly I understand this is in part my fault for contracting the damn warts in the first place, but having anal warts as a healthy young man is the WORSE! Who can you talk to about something like this except your doctor? Anyway, been using Aldara for 3 weeks now. At first I felt nothing (I expected since I was applying in such a sensitive area I would feel something right away), now I'm experiencing quite a bit of discomfort while using the bathroom, specifically wiping! Sorry to be so graphic guys! Really would like to talk to someone who has taken Aldara for anal warts b/c I'm scared shitless...no pun intended! | M | 24 | 3 weeks | 3/5/2009 | 4 | Genital Warts | itchiness, redness, bumps and open sores like herpes, sore throat, swollen glands in neck, fever, chills, headache, lethargy. some side effects were possibly from misuse. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY TO PREVENT SKIN REACTIONS, BUT YOU MIGHT STILL GET SICK | I only used Aldara every other day for about a week and a half (5 applications) and the few small warts I had near my anus disappeared. However, I ended up with a feeling in my perineal area (between my anus and vagina) like my skin was chapped, and when I looked I saw that I had open sores. My doctor ran tests for Herpes which I'm guessing will be negative, and I was really upset about the possibility of Herpes. She didn't seem to know that this was a possible side effect even though it's listed in the literature that comes with the cream. The sores may have been from misuse because once I got the fever/sore throat/flu-like symptoms, I felt sicker than I had in years and tried to use the cream anyway. I don't think I washed it off within the recommended time frame and I think it may have spread to an area near my vagina where there were no warts due to not rubbing the cream in completely. Follow directions exactly as far as a small amount only on the warts rubbed in completely, but yo | F | 27 | 10 days | 3/4/2009 | 1 | I have not been able to get rid of all the side effects, such as itchy skin on my scalp, chest, back, and ears. | I have now been told I might have lupus and lichen dermatitis. I have had this for two years. I am very upset over all of this! | F | 59 | 12 weeks | 3/1/2009 | 2 | Genital Warts | EXTREME pain urinating. Horrible sores!!! | It hurts so bad to use the restroom. I've never in my life experienced so much pain. I have to hold onto something to stand up. It feels like burning knives inbetween my legs. I've used this for a week and MUST stop using it. I'm going to a health clinic tomorrow to try and get some relief!! I think death would be better than this! | F | 19 | 7 days | 2/24/2009 | 5 | genital warts | burning, redness, ITCHYNESS, open sores, paiiiin | I read this site even before starting the cream and I was TERRIFIED. I was thinking I was going to get the flu and never be able to get rid of it, or that it wasn't going to work or it was going to awfully painful. WELL, I just want to ease your mind and let you know that this stuff REALLY does work. At first you will want to glob it on there because it comes in tiny packets and you think its not going to do any good. BUT IT DOES. Use a SMALL amount like the directions say. It did however, hurt like hell. It would hurt to walk, sit, stand, lay, anything. BUT, I mean if I can take it, anyone can take it. It beats the alternative. Mine were gone in about 3 weeks. I went to the doctor January 19th and by February 10th, they were completely gone. So for all of you people out there scared like I was, just do it and get it over with! Hope this helps! | F | 21 | 1 months | 2/22/2009 | 3 | gw | redness, swelling, open sores, itchyness | i used aldara for a week on 2 small external gw's than the side effects became too difficult to deal with my dr recommended i stop using it until the side effects lessened. the warts were pretty much gone after the side affects had worn off and a week later warts started to reappear. so its has been a cycle of warts, side effects, no warts, and haveing them reoccur, and i am now on my 3rd attempt | F | 23 | 6 weeks | 2/22/2009 | 3 | GW | If used correctly only minor irration. | Im a healthy 24yr old male. I have tried condylox. which in my case is like putting acid on the head of your penis. I wouldnt recommend that to any one and if they do. use it wisely. As far as the aldara goes I have never completed a four week cycle so I cant say if effectivly eliminates lesions but it will clear them up. Then your left with either real tender skin or a open wound. after I do a one week cycle I would stop treatment to allow healing. In which I would use neosporan on the infected area. This is to promote healing and prevent scaring. I cant say its not working but the problem still occurs. This may be because I have not used it as prescribe. | M | 24 | 6 months | 2/20/2009 | 5 | Genital Warts | Flu like symptoms, itching, burning while urinating or ejaculating, redness in area of application | I just wanted to leave a brief piece of advice for anyone using aldara for genital warts: a dab will do ya. when i first started with the cream, i would glop it on. i saw no results and had bad side effects. after reading online how to properly apply it, i started using the least amount possible, and fully rubbing it into the warts. coincidently, the warts disappeared within a week. USE A SMALL AMOUNT OF CREAM AND RUB IT IN FULLY. DO NOT LEAVE ANY EXCESS CREAM ON YOUR SKIN. if you follow those directions, the stuff works miracles. | M | 24 | 4 weeks | 2/19/2009 | 3 | gw | ive had warts for some years and has always used aldara which seem to work until recently. i think i may have been using to much cream because yes the rash came and the herpe like sores which were super painful. I am discontinuing this medicine after that exp good luck to all future users | M | 39 | 12 months | 2/18/2009 | 5 | Genital warts | itching and burning and soreness of the outernal vagina | F | 20 | 30 days | 2/17/2009 | 2 | Actinic Keratosis | I am a retired physician and would like to warn users of this cream about some serious side effects. A plastic surgeon prescribed this for AK. After 10 days, I began experiencing severe myalgias, chills, nausea, eye pain, skin sensitivity, and hoarseness. The flu like symptoms were quite significant and I stopped the cream. The lesions are painful and weeping but I guess that is to be expected. The viral illness symptoms I consider unacceptable for a cream and should be looked at further by the FDA. | M | 56 | 10 days | 2/5/2009 |