What Is Imiquimod Topical?
Imiquimod topical (for the skin) 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 be used in adults and children who are at least 12 years.
Imiquimod topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Using too much of this medicine, or using it for too long can increase your risk of severe skin reactions. Follow your doctor's instructions.
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 this medication, tell your doctor if you have a weak immune system, an autoimmune disorder, graft-versus-host disease, or if you have recently received a bone marrow transplant or cord blood transplant.
When treating genital warts around the vagina, avoid getting the cream on the more sensitive inner layers of vaginal tissue. This could result in vaginal swelling or irritation and painful urination.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Imiquimod topical can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
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.
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 activity 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.
To make sure you can safely take imiquimod topical, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- sunburn or other skin problems;
- a weak immune system or autoimmune disorder;
- graft-versus-host disease;
- if you have recently been treated for actinic keratosis or genital warts with surgery or other medications; or
- if you have recently received a bone marrow transplant or cord blood transplant.
If you are treating the genital or rectal area with imiquimod topical, avoid sexual activity 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.
Imiquimod Topical Side Effects
Wash off the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious skin reaction such as severe itching, burning, oozing, bleeding, or skin changes where the medicine is applied.
Stop using imiquimod topical and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as flu symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, tired feeling, swollen glands.
When treating genital warts around the vagina, if you have severe swelling or urination problems, stop using imiquimod topical and call your doctor right away.
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild skin irritation, itching, dryness, flaking, scabbing, crusting, redness, or hardening of the skin where the medicine was applied;
- changes in the color of treated skin;
- headache, dizziness, chest pain, back pain;
- cold sores, fever blisters;
- cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
- nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite; or
- vaginal itching or discharge.
Imiquimod Topical Interactions
Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with imiquimod topical unless your doctor tells you to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Imiquimod topical can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Avoid having unprotected sex. Imiquimod is not a cure for genital warts, and it will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent transmission during sex.
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied imiquimod topical. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Imiquimod Topical Dosage
Using too much of this medicine, or using it for too long can increase your risk of severe skin reactions.
Before applying imiquimod topical, wash your hands and wash the skin area to be treated. Allow the skin to dry for at least 10 minutes before applying the medicine. Always wash your hands after applying the medicine also.
Do not use imiquimod topical on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin. Wait until these conditions have healed before using imiquimod topical.
Imiquimod topical is normally used 2 to 5 times per week for up to 16 weeks. How you use this medication will depend on the condition you are treating. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Actinic keratosis:
Aldara is usually applied 2 times per week (such as Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday) for a full 16 weeks. Zyclara is applied once daily for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks without treatment. Apply the cream to the treatment area in a thin layer, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 8 hours. In the morning, wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.
Superficial basal cell carcinoma:
Usually applied 5 times per week (such as Monday through Friday) for a full 6 weeks. Apply the cream from one imiquimod topical packet to the treatment area and the border of skin around it, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 8 hours. In the morning, wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.
Genital warts:
Usually applied 3 times per week (such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for no longer than 16 weeks. Apply the cream from one imiquimod topical packet to the treatment area, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Do not cover the treated skin areas with any type of plastic bandaging, and avoid nylon underwear. You may wear cotton gauze or underwear over the treated area. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 6 to 10 hours. Then wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.
When treating genital warts under the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis, pull back the foreskin and wash it with mild soap and water before applying imiquimod topical. Clean this area daily during treatment.
When treating genital warts around the vagina, avoid getting the cream on the more sensitive inner layers of vaginal tissue. This could result in vaginal swelling or irritation and painful urination.
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.
All conditions:
Your doctor will need to check your skin on a regular basis, especially if you have a more severe skin reaction to the medication. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve or if it gets worse during treatment.
Do not use imiquimod topical to treat any skin condition that has not been checked by a doctor. Do not share this medication with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Each packet of imiquimod topical is for a single application only. Throw away the packet after one use, even if there is medicine left in it. If you treat more than one skin area at a time, ask your doctor how many packets to use.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep each packet unopened until you are ready to use it.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include severe skin irritation, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
Skip the missed dose and wait until the next time you are getting ready for bed to use the medicine. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
