Aldara FAQ |
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Q. WHAT IS ALDARA SKIN CREAM ?
A. Aldara™ (imiquimod) cream is used to treat skin conditions including external genital
or anal warts. Because Aldara does not kill the virus (HPV virus) that causes genital or anal
warts, new warts may appear during or after treatment. This drug is also effective at treating
other skin conditions such as actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell cancers. Generic
Aldara skin cream is not yet available.
Q. WHAT SHOULD MY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL KNOW BEFORE I RECEIVE ALDARA ?
A. They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- an unusual or allergic reaction to Aldara, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Q. HOW SHOULD I USE THIS MEDICINE ?
A. Apply Aldara cream to the affected areas as directed on the prescription label. Wash hands
before and after applying cream. Aldara cream should be applied just before bedtime. A thin
layer of the cream should be applied topically with the fingers; the cream should be massaged
gently into the affected areas until no longer visible. Avoid contact with lips, eyes, or nose.
Use Aldara cream only on the affected area as directed by your health care provider. Do not use
Aldara cream longer than prescribed. Using too much Aldara cream or using it too often, or for
too long can increase your chances for having a severe skin reaction or other side effect.
Discard packet after applying to affected area; partial packets should not be saved or reused.
- For treatment of genital or anal warts: You will usually apply this cream every other day
(3 times a week) until the warts are gone, for a maximum of 16 weeks. Do not use the cream
inside the vagina or rectum. Avoid getting Aldara cream in your eyes. Uncircumcised men
treating warts under the foreskin of the penis should pull back the foreskin and clean the area
daily. Women should take special care if applying the cram at the opening of the vagina because
local skin reactions on the delicate moist surfaces can cause pain and swelling, and may cause
problems passing urine. Do not bandage or wrap the treated area. The treated area should be
washed with mild soap and water 6-10 hours after applying the cream (usually upon waking).
- For the treatment of actinic keratosis: You will apply the cream to the affected area twice
weekly, 3-4 days apart, for 16 weeks. Leave on skin for about 8 hours as directed, after which
time the cream should be washed off using mild soap and water usually upon waking. The area you
treat with Aldara cream should be no larger than the size of your forehead or one cheek (for
example, 2 inches by 2 inches).
- For the treatment of superficial basal cell cancer: You will apply the cream to the affected
area 5-times per week for 6 weeks (such as Monday through Friday before going to bed). Leave the
cream on your skin for about 8 hours, as directed, after which time the cream should be washed
off using mild soap and water.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in
children. Special care may be needed. This drug has been used in adolescents for the treatment
of genital or anal warts.
Q. WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE ?
A. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use
only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
Q. WHAT DRUG(S) MAY INTERACT WITH ALDARA ?
A. Aldara treatment is not recommended until the skin has healed from any previous drug
(example: podofilox or podophyllin resin) or surgical skin treatment.
Tell your
prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are using or taking,
including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if
you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal
drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional
before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
Q. WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM RECEIVING ALDARA ?
A. Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as
possible :
- open sores with or without drainage
- skin infection
- skin rash
- unusual or severe skin reaction
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health
care professional if they continue or are bothersome) :
- back pain
- burning or itching
- changes in skin color that do not always go away
- diarrhea
- feeling like you have the flu
- headache
- muscle aches
- redness of the skin (very common but is usually not painful or harmful)
- scabbing and crusting
- skin peeling
- skin that becomes hard or thickened
- swelling of the skin
Q. WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE TAKING ALDARA ?
- During the treatment of genital or anal warts :
Visit your health care
professional for regular checks on your progress. Females should receive regular pelvic exams as
recommended by their prescribers.
You will notice improvement in your condition
gradually. Most patients experience improvement within 4 weeks. However, it may take up to 16
weeks to see a full clearing of the warts. Aldara cream is not a cure. New warts may develop
during or after treatment.
Sexual (genital, anal, oral) contact should be avoided while
the cream is on the skin.
Aldara cream will not cure genital or anal warts. It is also
not known if Aldara cream can stop you from spreading genital or anal warts to other people. The
only way to prevent infecting others with the HPV virus (the virus that causes genital warts) is
to avoid direct skin-to-skin contact. If warts are visible in the genital area, sexual contact
should be avoided until the warts are treated. Experts advise that using latex condoms during
sexual contact may reduce, but not entirely prevent, infecting others.
Do not rely on
condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps or other 'barrier' devices as your sole method of birth
control. Aldara cream may weaken these devices and make them less effective at birth control.
Do not cover the treated area with an airtight bandage. Cotton gauze dressings can be
used. Cotton underwear can be worn after applying Aldara cream to the genital or anal
area.
- During the treatment of actinic keratosis or superficial basal cell cancer:
Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Actinic keratoses that were
not seen before may appear during treatment and may later go away. The treatment area and
surrounding area lighten or darken after treatment with Aldara cream. These skin color
changes may be permenant in some patients.
It is common for patients to have skin
reactions in areas treated. These reactions may extend beyond the application site onto the
surrounding skin. Skin reactions generally decrease in intensity or resolve after stopping
Aldara therapy. If you experience a severe reaction or any sign or symptom at the treatment site
that interferes or prevents you from doing any daily activity, contact your health care provider
to discuss whether you require a rest period from treatment. Treatment may resume once the
reaction has improved as recommended by your prescriber.
Use sunscreen during treatment
and minimize or avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight (tanning beds or UVA/B
treatments).
Do not cover the treated area with an airtight bandage. Cotton gauze
dressings can be used.
Q. WHERE CAN I KEEP MY MEDICINE ?
A. Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature below 25 degrees C (77
degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused portion after the expiration date.
Aldara Patient Information
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