Genital Warts treatment Aldara
What is Aldara
Aldara is a prescription-only cream specifically designed for the treatment of genital warts. It contains the active ingredient, imiquimod. This effective remedy begins its action promptly, with approximately 50% of users experiencing complete wart elimination within 4-12 weeks of consistent use.
What is Aldara used to treat?
Aldara cream is used to treat genital warts.
Aldara cream aids your body's immune system in generating natural substances to combat the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes genital warts. Although genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI), they are generally harmless and do not impact fertility. Aldara, applied directly to the affected area, helps eliminate both hard and soft genital warts by stimulating the immune system, addressing symptoms such as itching and soreness and enhancing appearance-related confidence.
Who can and cannot use Aldara?
Aldara cream may not be suitable for everyone due to potential interactions with certain conditions or medications, compromising its effectiveness and safety.
Before using Aldara, let your doctor know if you have:
previously used a similar cream
immune system issues or are taking immunosuppressive medication
allergies to any of the ingredients, including imiquimod
HIV-positive status, as Aldara may not be effective for you
Avoid using Aldara if you are:
under 18 years old
pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
Consult your doctor for alternative wart treatment if you take immunosuppressive medications.
Let your doctor know if you are using any over-the-counter medicines, prescription drugs, or natural remedies.
Refrain from sexual activity when you have genital warts, as Aldara may reduce the effectiveness of condoms or diaphragms.
Note that Aldara does not protect against other sexually transmitted infections or HIV.
What form does Aldara come in?
Aldara, available in cream form, is topically applied to the affected skin. The treatment regimen and duration vary depending on the specific condition being addressed. To apply Aldara properly, ensure clean hands before opening a new sachet for each application. Squeeze a small amount onto your fingertip, gently rub a thin layer onto the clean, dry area with warts before bedtime, and dispose of the sachet. After 6-10 hours, wash the treated area with mild soap and water, refraining from using bandages or dressings.
Aldara cream is applied 3 times per week with at least a 1-day break in between. For example, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Frequently asked questions
Aldara, like all medications, can induce side effects, with the majority typically affecting the area of skin where the cream is applied.
Very common side effects, such as flakiness, hardening under the skin, itching, a burning sensation, pain, redness, small open sores, swelling, and skin wearing away, generally normalise within two weeks after treatment cessation.
Common side effects include headaches.
Uncommon effects encompass fever, flu-like symptoms, prolapsed womb, pain during sex (in women), erection difficulties (in men), sweating, nausea, stomach and bowel symptoms, ringing in the ears, tiredness, dizziness, migraine, pins and needles, insomnia, loss of appetite, depression, swollen glands, increased infections, thrush, and coughs and colds with a sore throat.
Very rare side effects, such as painful skin reactions, especially at the vaginal opening, making urination difficult, typically occur when excessive cream is applied, particularly to normal skin around the warts.
In case of severe reactions, prompt medical attention is advised.
Always read the patient information leaflet for Aldara 5% cream before using it.
You should continue to apply Aldara cream until all your warts have completely disappeared, but for no longer than 16 weeks.
Around half of patients report that their warts clear up within 1 to 3 months of using the treatment.
There is no complete cure for genital warts, so there is a high risk that they will come back at some point.
Approximately 33% of genital warts may resolve naturally within a 6-month period. However, it's essential to consider that during this time, there is a risk of warts multiplying or spreading to sexual partners. There are alternative medical interventions available, including procedures such as freezing, cutting, or electronically burning off the warts.
