imiquimod topical Health Article

Generic name(s):

imiquimod topical

Brand name(s):

Aldara

What is the most important information I should know about imiquimod topical?

Imiquimod topical is used to treat different types of skin disorders, including actinic keratosis, a minor form of skin cancer, and genital warts that appear on the outside of the body.

Imiquimod topical is not a cure for genital warts and it may not keep you from spreading this condition to others through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You may develop new lesions during treatment with imiquimod topical. For best results, keep using the medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.

Wash your hands before and after applying imiquimod topical cream. Also wash the skin area to be treated, and allow it to dry for at least 10 minutes before applying the medicine. Do not use imiquimod topical on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin. Wait until these conditions have healed before using imiquimod topical. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Imiquimod topical can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Imiquimod will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

If you are treating the genital or rectal area with imiquimod topical, avoid sexual acvitity while the medicine is on your skin. Imiquimod topical can weaken the rubber that condoms or diaphragms are made out of. If you use a condom or diaphragm for birth control, these items could break if the rubber weakens and an unplanned pregnancy could result.

What is imiquimod topical?

Imiquimod is an immune response modifier. Imiquimod topical is used to treat actinic keratosis (a condition caused by too much sun exposure) on the face and scalp.

Imiquimod topical is also used to treat a minor form of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma, when surgery would not be an appropriate treatment.

Imiquimod topical also treats genital warts that appear on the outside of the body, but this medicine is not a cure for genital warts.

Imiquimod may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using imiquimod topical?

Do not use imiquimod topical on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin. Wait until these conditions have healed before using imiquimod topical.

Before using imiquimod topical, tell your doctor if you have graft-versus-host disease or if you have recently received a bone marrow transplant or cord blood transplant. You may not be able to use imiquimod topical, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. If you are treating the genital or rectal area with imiquimod topical, avoid sexual acvitity while the medicine is on your skin. Imiquimod topical can weaken the rubber that condoms or diaphragms are made out of. If you use a condom or diaphragm, these items could break if the rubber weakens, and an unplanned pregnancy could result. It is not known whether imiquimod topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use this medicine on a child younger than 12 years old. Imiquimod topical is for use in treating genital warts in patients who are at least 12 years old. All other uses of this medication are for adults over 18 only.