Type of medicine: immune response modifier
Generic and brand names: imiquimod, topical; Aldara; Zyclara
This medicine is a cream applied to the skin to treat:
Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your provider about any other skin problems that you have, and if you have recently been treated for those problems.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
This medicine is used differently depending on your skin condition. Use this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more or more often than prescribed. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about anything you do not understand.
This medicine comes in packets that contain enough cream for one application. Use the medicine right before you go to bed.
Wash your skin with mild soap and water. Pat it dry and wait about 10 minutes before you put on the medicine.
Gently rub in a thin layer of medicine into the area that you need it until the cream disappears. Do not bandage the area where the cream is applied. Leave the cream on for as long as directed by your healthcare provider. Remove the cream by washing the treated area with mild soap and water. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the cream.
Do not use tight bandages or wear tight underwear while you are using this medicine. Loose bandages or loose cotton underwear may be worn.
Do not put this medicine in your vagina. It can cause problems urinating.
Do not get the cream in your eyes, mouth, nostrils, or inside the vagina or anus. It can cause pain and swelling. If you accidentally get cream in your eyes, rinse them with plenty of cool water. If your eyes get very irritated, call your healthcare provider.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: fainting, dizziness, severe skin reaction.
This medicine may cause your skin to become discolored. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Avoid sunlight as much as possible during treatment with this medicine. This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. While you are taking this medicine, wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn or other severe skin reaction, contact your healthcare provider right away.
While some mild skin irritation is normal with the use of this medicine, report any severe irritation or swelling to your healthcare provider right away.
If you are using this medicine to treat genital or anal warts, avoid sexual contact while using this medicine. This medicine will weaken condoms and vaginal diaphragms. Talk with your healthcare provider about effective birth control methods.
If you are an uncircumcised male and your warts are under the foreskin, pull the foreskin back and clean the area daily while you are using this medicine.
Since this medicine is not a cure, new warts may develop during treatment.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe skin reactions (open sores, severe pain or burning, severe swelling), fever, unexplained muscle or joint pain, extreme tiredness, nausea or vomiting, trouble urinating, chest pain, swollen or painful lymph glands.
Other: Mild to moderate skin irritation (rash, flaking, itching, burning, swelling, scabbing at the spot where the cream is applied); headache; dizziness; back pain; runny or stuffy nose; loss of appetite; diarrhea.
No significant drug interactions have been reported. However, do not use other skin lotions, creams, or ointments unless they are approved by the healthcare provider who prescribed this medicine.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Keep it away from heat and open flames.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
