Aldara

Aldara as a treatment

Aldara is what is known as an immune response modifier (IRM). This means that the active ingredient, imiquimod, does not fight the virus directly, but rather stimulates the natural defences of the body to help the immune system fight off the infection. These defence chemicals are called cytokines, and they are vital to the immune system because they stop viruses from increasing or multiplying.

Aldara cream stimulates the immune system so it can effectively fight the virus (HPV) that causes genital warts. When this occurs, the genital warts outbreak clears.

Benefits of Aldara

Ease of use is one of the key benefits of this treatment for genital warts. As a topical cream, you can apply it yourself, directly to the warts, in the privacy of your own home. Other treatments, such as cryotherapy and electrocautery, have to be administered by a doctor and can be painful. You will also not need to worry about scarring if you use Aldara cream.

Aldara is clinically proven to ease the discomfort that is caused by an outbreak of genital warts, and will clear the warts within 16 weeks. You only need to apply the cream three times a week to see results.

Side effects

There is a possibility that you could experience some mild side effects with Aldara, such as headaches, nausea, flu-like symptoms or slight irritation of the skin. More serious side effects are rare but should be dealt with urgently if they occur. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, which could include facial swelling, hives or problems breathing, you should seek emergency treatment. This is also the case if the cream brings on vaginal pain or swelling, or if you experience chest pain or arrhythmia.

If you are concerned about any side effect brought on by the medication, you should contact your doctor for advice.

Taking Aldara

For some groups of people, Aldara will not be as effective and could even pose a health risk. If you suffer from an auto-immune condition or have a weakened immune system, Aldara may not be safe for you. If you have had an organ transplant or have an inflammatory skin condition you should also exercise caution. Men who are uncircumcised and have genital warts either on or underneath the foreskin should not use Aldara to treat them.

The medication is not safe for adults who are allergic to imiquimod or any other ingredients used in the cream. Aldara is only intended for external use, and should never be used to treat genital warts that occur inside the anus or genitals.

Dosages

Aldara cream should be applied in a thin layer directly to the genital warts three times a week, for example on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Rub the cream into the area until it becomes invisible. It is important to make sure you wash your hands both before and after you apply the treatment. For maximum efficacy, you should apply the cream before you go to bed. After six to ten hours, you should remove the cream by carefully using soap and water to wash the treated area.

Continue this course of treatment until the outbreak of warts has cleared, but for no longer than 16 weeks. You do not need to use a large amount of the cream for each wart, and you should be aware that too much cream increases your risk of experiencing an adverse reaction to the treatment.