Aldara

About Aldara cream

Aldara cream contains the active ingredient imiquimod, an immune response modifier (IRM). It is a topical treatment used to treat genital warts (small growths around your penis, vagina, or anus) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Imiquimod is also active against early forms of skin cancer such as Actinic Keratosis and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Aldara stimulates the production of cytokines in the body, helping to stop the virus from multiplying. NowPatient offers Aldara cream as a treatment for genital warts only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Aldara

• For the treatment of genital warts
• Aldara can be take between 4 weeks to 4 months to clear genital warts
• Aldara cream has some common side effects which include skin reactions
• It can be dangerous if you use Aldara cream with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician

Who is Aldara cream not suitable for?

Aldara cream may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before using Aldara cream if you:

• Are allergic to the active ingredient imiquimod
• Have open sores
• Have internal warts
• Are using latex condoms or diaphragms during sexual activity
• Have problems with your immune system

How and where to get Aldara cream?

You can buy Aldara cream safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of genital warts, you can discuss if Aldara cream is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Aldara cream for genital warts

Aldara is available as a cream when used for genital warts. it is available as a 5% cream in 250mg sachets.

Information about how to use Aldara cream for genital warts

Aldara cream should be applied three times a week:

• Wash your hands and the treatment area with mild soap before applying Aldara cream
• Apply a fingertip worth of Aldara cream as a thin layer onto the genital wart
• Leave the cream on for 6 to 10 hours. Wash the area where the cream was applied after this time
• Do not get Aldara cream on other areas of skin. If you have warts under your foreskin, pull the foreskin back and wash underneath each day
• Do not cover treated areas with dressings
• If the affected area being treated becomes uncomfortable, wash the cream off. Allow the area to recover before restarting treatment

Read the patient information leaflet (PIL) provided or speak to your healthcare provider for further information.

What happens if you use too much Aldara cream?

If you use more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have used too much Aldara cream and you experience any of the following side effects:

What are the side effects of Aldara cream?

Side effects of Aldara cream are split into common and serious.

Common side effects include:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Swelling
• Scabbing
• Blisters
• Small open sores
• A crust that forms during healing
• Itching
• Burning sensation

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

• Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

Information about using Aldara cream at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Aldara cream. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.

Can Aldara cream used for genital warts be used long term?

Aldara cream should not be used for more than 16 weeks for the treatment of genital warts. If your genital warts have not cleared after 16 weeks speak to your GP to discuss alternative treatment.

Is there a herbal Aldara cream?

No. Herbal Aldara cream does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Aldara cream?

Women can use Aldara cream for the treatment of genital warts. Aldara should not however, be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It is not known if imiquimod passes into breast milk.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when using Aldara cream?

You can eat and drink normally when using Aldara cream.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with genital warts?

You may reduce your risk of getting genital warts by using condoms for vaginal, anal or oral sex. Condoms do not cover the entire genital area so you may still be at risk of getting warts.

Alternatives to Aldara cream

Alternatives for the treatment of genital warts include treatments such as podophyllin or the HPV vaccination, which will reduce your chance of getting the HPV virus. In more severe cases you may have warts surgically removed.

Sources

• NHS genital-warts