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Informations
about Imiquimod |
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What
is Imiquimod skin cream?
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IMIQUIMOD
(Aldara™)
is used to treat skin conditions including external
genital or anal warts. Because Imiquimod does not
kill the virus (HPV virus) that causes genital or
anal warts, new warts may appear during or after treatment.
This drug is also effective at treating other skin
conditions such as actinic keratosis and superficial
basal cell cancers. |
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What
should my health care professional know before I receive
Imiquimod? |
They
need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•an unusual or allergic reaction to Imiquimod,
other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant (buy
Ortho Tri-Cyclen) or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding (buy
Alesse) |
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How
should I use this medicine? |
Apply
Imiquimod to the affected areas as directed on the
prescription label. Wash hands before and after applying
cream. Imiquimod should be applied just before bedtime.
A thin layer of the cream should be applied topically
with the fingers; the cream should be massaged gently
into the affected areas until no longer visible. Avoid
contact with lips, eyes, or nose. Use Imiquimod only
on the affected area as directed by your health care
provider. Do not use Imiquimod longer than prescribed.
Using too much Imiquimod or using it too often, or
for too long can increase your chances for having
a severe skin (buy
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packet after applying to affected area; partial packets
should not be saved or reused.
- For treatment of genital or anal warts: You will
usually apply this cream every other day (3 times
a week) until the warts are gone, for a maximum of
16 weeks. Do not use the cream inside the vagina or
rectum. Avoid getting Imiquimod in your eyes. Uncircumcised
men treating warts under the foreskin of the penis
should pull back the foreskin and clean the area daily.
Women should take special care if applying the cram
at the opening of the vagina because local skin reactions
on the delicate moist surfaces can cause pain and
swelling, and may cause problems passing urine. Do
not bandage or wrap the treated area. The treated
area should be washed with mild soap and water 6-10
hours after applying the cream (usually upon waking).
- For the treatment of actinic keratosis: You will
apply the cream to the affected area twice weekly,
3-4 days apart, for 16 weeks. Leave on skin for about
8 hours as directed, after which time the cream should
be washed off using mild soap and water usually upon
waking. The area you treat with Imiquimod should be
no larger than the size of your forehead or one cheek
(for example, 2 inches by 2 inches).
- For the treatment of superficial basal cell cancer:
You will apply the cream to the affected area 5-times
per week for 6 weeks (such as Monday through Friday
before going to bed). Leave the cream on your skin
for about 8 hours, as directed, after which time the
cream should be washed off using mild soap and water.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional
regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special
care may be needed. This drug has been used in adolescents
for the treatment of genital or anal warts. |
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If
you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it
is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose.
Do not use double or extra doses. |
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What
drug(s) may interact with Imiquimod? |
Imiquimod
treatment is not recommended until the skin has healed
from any previous drug (example: podofilox or podophyllin
resin) or surgical skin treatment (buy
Retin A Micro Gel).
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about
all other medicines you are using or taking, including
non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber
or health care professional if you are a frequent
user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke,
or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the
way your medicine works. Check with your health care
professional before stopping or starting any of your
medicines. |
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What
side effects may I notice from receiving Imiquimod?
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Side
effects that you should report to your prescriber
or health care professional as soon as possible:
•open sores with or without drainage
•skin infection
•skin rash
•unusual or severe skin reaction
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention
(report to your prescriber or health care professional
if they continue or are bothersome):
•back pain (buy
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•burning or itching
•changes in skin color that do not always go
away
•diarrhea
•feeling like you have the flu
•headache (buy
Fioricet)
•muscle aches
•redness of the skin (very common but is usually
not painful or harmful)
•scabbing and crusting
•skin peeling
•skin that becomes hard or thickened
•swelling of the skin |
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Where
can I keep my medicine? |
Keep
out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature below 25 degrees C (77 degrees
F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused portion after
the expiration date. |
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