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SECTION_START: Description Aldara cream is a topical medication used to treat genital warts, including both hard and soft warts, located in the genital and external anal areas.
SECTION_END: Description
SECTION_START: Directions To apply Aldara wart cream, follow these instructions:
Apply the cream 3 times a week, preferably on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. &bull; Before application, ensure the affected area is clean and dry. &bull; Gently rub the cream into the warts until it is absorbed. &bull; Leave the cream on the skin for 6 to 10 hours. It is recommended to apply it before bedtime to allow it to work overnight. &bull; Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the cream to avoid accidentally spreading it to other areas. &bull; Use Aldara cream for up to 16 weeks as directed by your healthcare provider.
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SECTION_START: Warnings
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Aldara cream.
Some patients have experienced changes in skin colour in the area where Aldara cream was applied. While these changes have tended to improve with time, in some patients, they may be permanent.
If your skin reacts badly when using Aldara cream, stop applying the cream, wash the area with mild soap and water and contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In some individuals, a lowering of blood counts was noted. A lowering of blood counts might make you more susceptible to infections, make you bruise more easily or cause fatigue. If you notice any of these symptoms, tell your doctor.
Some patients who suffer from autoimmune disorders may experience worsening of their condition. If you notice any change during treatment with Aldara cream, tell your doctor.
Serious skin reactions have been reported rarely. If you experience skin lesions or spots on your skin that start out as small red areas and progress to look like mini targets, possibly with symptoms such as itching, fever, overall ill feeling, achy joints, vision problems, burning, painful or itchy eyes and mouth sores, stop using Aldara cream and tell your doctor immediately.
A small number of patients have experienced hair loss at the treatment site or surrounding area.
If you are being treated for genital warts: Many of the undesirable effects of Aldara cream are due to its local action on your skin.
&bull; Very common effects include redness (61% of patients), wearing away of the skin (30% of patients), flakiness and swelling. Hardening under the skin, small open sores, a crust that forms during healing, and small bubbles under the skin may also occur. You might also feel itching (32% of patients), a burning sensation (26% of patients) or pain in areas where you have applied Aldara cream (8% patients).Most of these skin reactions are mild and the skin will return to normal within about 2 weeks after stopping treatment.
&bull; Commonly, some patients (4% or less) have experienced headache, while uncommonly, fevers and flu-like symptoms, joint and muscle pains, prolapse of the womb, pain on intercourse in females, erection difficulties, increase in sweating, feeling sick, stomach and bowel symptoms, ringing in the ears, flushing, tiredness, dizziness, migraine, pins and needles, insomnia, depression, loss of appetite, swollen glands, bacterial, viral and fungal infections (e.g. cold sores), vaginal infections including thrush, and coughs and colds with a sore throat.
&bull; Very rarely, severe and painful reactions have occurred, particularly when more cream has been used than recommended. Painful skin reactions at the opening of the vagina have very rarely made it difficult for some women to pass urine. If this occurs you should seek medical help immediately.
If you are being treated for basal cell carcinoma: Many of the undesirable effects of Aldara cream are due to its local action on your skin. Local skin reactions can be a sign that the drug is working as intended.
&bull; Very commonly, the treated skin may be slightly itchy. Common effects include pins and needles, small swollen areas in the skin, pain, burning, irritation, bleeding, redness or rash. If a skin reaction becomes too uncomfortable during treatment, speak to your doctor. He/she may advise you to stop applying Aldara cream for a few days (i.e. to have a short rest from treatment). If there is pus (matter) or other suggestion of infection, discuss this with your doctor.&nbsp; Apart from reactions in the skin, other common effects include swollen glands and back pain.
&bull; Uncommonly, some patients experience changes at the application site (discharge, inflammation, swelling, scabbing, skin breakdown, blisters, dermatitis) or irritability, feeling sick, dry mouth, flu-like symptoms and tiredness.
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed here. You can also report side effects directly . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
United Kingdom Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
SECTION_END: Warnings
SECTION_START: Ingredients The active substance is imiquimod. Each sachet contains 250 mg cream (100 mg cream contains 5 mg imiquimod).
The other ingredients are isostearic acid, benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, polysorbate 60, sorbitan stearate, glycerol, methyl hydroxybenzoate (E 218), propyl hydroxybenzoate (E 216), xanthan gum and purified water
SECTION_END: Ingredients
SECTION_START: FAQs How long does it take for Aldara to remove warts? Aldara typically causes warts to shrink and disappear within 1 to 4 months of consistent treatment. It's essential to continue using the cream as directed until all warts have cleared. However, please note that while Aldara treats visible warts, it does not cure the underlying viral infection, so new outbreaks may occur.
When should you avoid using Aldara cream? Avoid using Aldara cream if: &bull; You have open sores; wait for them to heal before applying the cream. &bull; You have internal warts; the cream should not be used internally. &bull; You have immune system issues due to illness (such as HIV) or medication. Inform a medical professional about any conditions or medications when seeking treatment. &bull; Additionally, Aldara cream may weaken condoms and diaphragms, increasing the risk of breakage. It's recommended to abstain from vaginal or oral sex until warts have cleared. If sexual activity continues during treatment, apply Aldara cream after intercourse and consider using condoms. Do warts come back after using Aldara? Genital warts cannot be cured but can be managed with treatment. While it's unlikely for warts to reappear after Aldara treatment, outbreaks may occur during periods of immune system stress.
Important information about Aldara wart treatment: The virus causing genital warts can be transmitted during sex. Aldara cream may weaken latex condoms and diaphragms, increasing the risk of breakage. If sexual activity continues during treatment, apply Aldara after intercourse and use condoms.
Conditions like HIV positivity or pregnancy may impact the suitability of Aldara treatment.
Can you take other medications while using Aldara wart cream? You should be able to use Aldara cream alongside other medications. However, it's crucial to check with a medical professional about all prescription, over-the-counter medications, and recreational drugs you are taking to ensure safe prescribing of Aldara cream. SECTION_END: FAQs

Aldara cream - applied 3 times a week

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