Aldara Information |
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 Aldara™
is used by topical application to treat external genital warts and warts that appear around the
anal opening in patients 12 years of age and older. Aldara information section contains
essential Aldara facts which to help you gain useful information about the benefits of Aldara.
The following information is a summary about Aldara. It is not intended to replace a doctors
instructions.
IMPORTANT NOTE
The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise
and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should
not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for
you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
ALDARA INFORMATION
Brand Name: Aldara®
Generic Name: Imiquimod
Aldara (Imiquimod) Cream 5% is a topical, patient-applied cream for the treatment of external
genital and perianal warts.
It is used in patients aged 12 and above.
Contact
your physician or pharmacist for further information if you have any questions or concerns
about using this medication.
HOW DOES ALDARA WORK ?
External genital and perianal warts are cause by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). These
wart-like growths are commonly referred to as condyloma acuminata. While Aldara itself has not
been demonstrated to have any of its own antiviral activity, Aldara cream is an immune
response modifier that stimulates the body's own immune response system and helps the body
fight this virus. Aldara may do this via the induction of cytokines like alpha-interferon.
Alpha-interferon is a complex compound normally produced by the human body that does have
potent antiviral activity.
ALDARA INGREDIENTS AND COMPOSITION
Each 250mg of Aldara cream 5% contains 12.5mg of the active ingredient, imiquimod, in an
off-white oil-in-water vanishing cream base consisting of isostearic acid, cetyl alcohol,
stearyl alcohol, white petrolatum, polysorbate 60, sorbitan monostearate, glycerin, xanthan
gum, purified water, benzyl alcohol, methylparaben, and propylparaben. Chemically, imiquimod
is 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1 H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine.
ALDARA SIDE EFFECTS
Aldara Side Effects - See Here
HOW TO TAKE ALDARA AND ALDARA DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
Aldara cream is to be applied 3 times per week, prior to normal sleeping hours, and left on
the skin for 6-10 hours. Following the treatment period cream should be removed by washing the
treated area with mild soap and water.
Aldara treatment should continue until there is
total clearance of the genital/perianal warts or for a maximum of 16 weeks. Local skin
reactions (erythema) at the treatment site are common. A rest period of several days may be
taken if the level of discomfort or severity of the local skin reaction becomes too high.
Treatment may resume once the reaction subsides. Non-occlusive dressings such as cotton gauze
or cotton underwear may be used in the management of skin reactions.
Aldara 5% cream is
packaged in single-use packets which contain sufficient cream to cover a wart area of up to 20
cm2; use of excessive amounts of cream should be avoided. Aldara shou be applied to
external genital/perianal warts. A thin layer is applied to the wart area and rubbed in until
the cream is no longer visible. The application site is not to be occluded.
Contact
your physician or pharmacist for further information if you have any questions or concerns
about using this medication.
ALDARA OVERDOSE
Overdosage of Aldara 5% cream in humans is unlikely due to minimal percutaneous absorption.
ALDARA PRECAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS
The effect of Aldara 5% cream on the transmission of genital/ perianal warts is unknown.
Aldara 5% cream may weaken condoms and vaginal diaphragms. Therefore, concurrent use is not
recommended.
Aldara is not prescribed for ages 12 and under.
This medication is
to be used as directed by a physician. It is for external use only. Eye contact should be
avoided.
The treatment area should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped as
to be occlusive.
Sexual (genital, anal, oral) contact should be avoided while the cream
is on the skin.
It is recommended that 6-10 hours following Aldara 5% cream application
the treatment area be washed with mild soap and water.
It is common for patients to
experience local skin reactions such as erythema, erosion, excoriation/flaking, and edema at
the site of application or surrounding areas. Most skin reactions are mild to moderate. Severe
skin reactions can occur and should be reported promptly to the prescribing physician.
Application of Aldara cream in the vagina is considered internal and should be avoided. Female
patients should take special care if applying the cream at the opening of the vagina because
local skin reactions on the delicate moist surfaces can result in pain or swelling, and may
cause difficulty in passing urine.
Uncircumcised males treating warts under the
foreskin should retract the foreskin and clean the area daily.
Patients should be aware
that new warts may develop during therapy, as Aldara is not a cure.
Contact your
physician or pharmacist for further information if you have any questions or concerns about
using this medication.
ALDARA EXPERIENCES AND RESULTS
In a large clinical trial using Aldara 50% of patients had complete clearing of their warts. The
mean time to complete wart clearing was 10 weeks.
Aldara cream can effectively clear
genital warts as quickly as 4 weeks, although the average time to healing is 10 weeks and may
take as long as 16 weeks. Results vary from person to person.
Contact your physician or
pharmacist for further information if you have any questions or concerns about using this
medication.
STORING ALDARA
Do not store above 30°C (86°F). Avoid freezing.
COMMON MISSPELLINGS OF ALDARA
Aldara (Imiquimod) is sometimes misspelled. The most
frequent examples are Adara, Aldara, Altara, Oldara, Aldar, Aladara, Alldara, Alddara,
Alara, Aldra, Alsara and Alfara. The correct / full name for this prescription drug is
"Aldara".
MORE ALDARA INFORMATION SITES
Additional Aldara Information Sites :
Aldara Information at RXlist
Aldara Information at National Library of Medicine
Aldara Information at Ahealthyme Drug Database
Aldara FAQ at Druginfonet
Aldara Information at Yahoo Health
Aldara Information at Drugs.com
ALDARA MANUFACTURER
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Aldara™ is manufactured by 3M Pharmaceuticals. 3M Pharmaceuticals
combines the agility of a small drug company with the resources of a major, multinational
corporation supported by 3M's annual R&D budget of over one billion dollars. Building upon an
established 3M research program in medicinal chemistry and combined with the acquisition of
Riker Laboratories in 1970, 3M Pharmaceuticals is known for its immune response modifier (IRM)
product platform as well as respiratory and cardiology drugs. In 1996, 3M Pharmaceuticals
acquired the leading therapy for bacterial vaginosis enhancing 3M’s presence in women’s health
care. 3M Pharmaceuticals also markets : Maxair™Autohaler™, MetroGel-Vaginal®,
Minitran™ Transdermal Delivery System and Tambocor™.
Web site : http://www.3m.com |
Contact Information :
St. Paul, MN 55144-1000
Phone :
1-800-328-0255
Fax : 651-733-6068 |
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