Aldara cream is a widely known topical medication. It’s used to treat genital warts, actinic keratosis, and precancerous growth caused by overexposure to the sun’s rays.
You can talk to us to order Aldara online and also get tailored treatment recommendations from our expert clinicians.
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Aldara is a prescription-only cream containing 5% imiquimod as its active ingredient. It’s normally used for the treatment and removal of the visible symptoms of external genital warts. Other uses include the removal of precancerous growth on the skin.
Aldara is effective at treating genital warts, but it's important to follow the instructions and use it correctly. You'll need to make sure you don't get any on the skin around the warts or on healthy areas of the skin because it can cause irritation.
How does Aldara work?
The active ingredient in Aldara is called Imiquimod. It’s been in use since 1997 as an effective treatment for genital warts. Studies show that Imiquimod stimulates your immune responses. This ultimately helps your body's immune cells to track diseased cells; which in this case, are the cells linked to genital warts. Once the affected cells are dead, new cells grow in their place to clear the skin.
Aldara is easy to use as it’s not a medication you have to swallow. Because it’s a topical cream, you only need to apply it to the external part of the body where warts or precancerous growths are visible.
What doses of Aldara are there?
It’s a single dose treatment that equates to a one-week course. You have to apply the cream three times a week. So usually every other day, for example, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The cream sachet contains a sufficient amount to cover the wart-infected area, to as wide as twenty centimetres squared.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Aldara CreamImiquimod
How to use Aldara
If you’re using Aldara for the treatment of genital warts, here’s how to apply it effectively.
Apply the cream three times a week only (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) or as advised by our clinician.
Preferably, apply it at night time before bed.
Wash and dry both hands and the infected area with mild soap and water.
Open a sachet and squeeze some Aldara cream onto your fingertip.
Apply a thin layer of the cream onto the cleaned and dried wart area.
Rub gently until the cream vanishes into the skin.
After applying the cream, wash your hands with soap and water.
Try not to touch the area where the cream is applied for six to ten hours.
Do not shower during this time.
Wash the area where the cream was applied with mild soap and water after 6 to 10 hours.
Repeat the above steps for two more days in a week.
If you have warts underneath the foreskin of your penis, pull the foreskin back and wash. underneath it before applying Aldara.
Continue using the Aldara cream as instructed by our clinician until the warts have completely gone.
How long does it take Aldara to work?
The effectiveness of Aldara can vary, depending on the severity of your genital warts. You might have to repeat the one-week course treatment for multiple weeks if your warts don’t disappear within the first week of use. For many women, genital warts clear faster and will do so in eight weeks.
But men might have to wait for 12 weeks before the warts clear. Warts can clear up for some people in as little as four weeks too, though. You shouldn’t use Aldara continuously for over 16 weeks.
If you notice the treatment isn't showing visible results after a few weeks, it's best to contact our clinician. Aldara can be a bit strong in concentration for some people. If you find that this is the case, you should sign in to your account and send our clinician a message.
What should I do if I make a mistake when using Aldara?
Some common mistakes that people make with Aldara cream include: excess application; forgetting to take a dose; ingesting the cream; or applying it to the wrong part of the body. If you experience any of these, the following instructions will help.
If you’ve applied too much, wash the site containing the excess cream with mild soap and water. If you experience any discomfort because of the excess application, wait until the symptoms subside after washing and continue to use Aldara as advised by our clinician.
If you forget to take a dose, simply apply it again as soon as you remember, and continue with the schedule advised by our clinician. If you miss a dose, don’t take twice the amount or use it twice a day. Stick to applying Aldara only once a day.
If you swallow Aldara cream by mistake, you should seek emergency medical assistance immediately.
If you apply Aldara cream to the wrong area (so inside the vagina or anus, for example) you should wash it quickly with plenty of water and contact our clinician if you experience irritation or discomfort.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Aldara CreamImiquimod
Aldara CreamImiquimod
FAQ: Aldara Cream
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Aldara different from other treatments for genital warts?
Answer:
Aldara is not only effective for treating genital warts, but it’s also more convenient than other treatments. You only need to apply Aldara cream once a day, which is before you go to bed.
This means you don't have to keep to a schedule that involves applying it multiple times in a day. What's more, the way it works is unique. It doesn't target genital warts directly, but rather, helps to stimulate your immune responses to track diseased cells linked to the warts.
Is Aldara similar to any other treatments?
Answer:
Yes, there are other creams that are also topically applied. Topically applied medication can be more convenient if you have a hard time (or don’t like) swallowing tablets or capsules.
How effective is Aldara?
Answer:
A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial revealed complete clearance of warts in 37% to 50% of study participants. This was after treatment with Imiquimod 5% cream three times a week for a maximum of sixteen weeks.
Also, partial clearance of warts was recorded in 76% of recipients who used imiquimod 5% cream after the same period. Note that imiquimod doesn’t technically cure the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) that causes genital warts.
In fact, new warts may appear during a treatment course as the efficacy is largely dependent on the ability of the cream to promote the immune system towards killing the cells of the diseased genital warts.
Do I need a prescription for Aldara?
Answer:
Yes, you will need a prescription before you can order Aldara, so that our clinician can decide if it’s safe and suitable for you to take based on your health background.
Over the course of your treatment, our clinician may need to adjust or modify your treatment plan if you’re not seeing the desired results.
Why should I buy Aldara online with Treated?
Answer:
Talk to us about your health, and we’ll advise you on treatments that are right for you. You can choose your medication from there, and how often you’d like us to send it to you.
We’ll provide you with aftercare too. Our clinicians will get in touch with you regularly to see how you’re finding your medication. They’re always on hand to answer any questions you may have about your treatment. Just sign in to your account and send them a message.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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