Aldara is used for:
Treating certain types of skin growths (actinic keratoses) or skin cancer (superficial basal cell carcinoma [sBCC]). It may also be used to treat external genital and perianal warts. It also may be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Aldara is an immune response modifier. Exactly how it works is not known.
Do NOT use Aldara if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Aldara
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Aldara :
Some medical conditions may interact with Aldara . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have other types of skin cancer; broken, damaged, or inflamed skin at the application site; rash at the application site; or warts in the areas of your body other than the genital or anal areas
• if you have a weakened immune system, an autoimmune disorder (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus), or human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
• if your skin has not completely healed from surgery or other types of treatment
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Aldara . Because little, if any, of Aldara is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.
Ask your health care provider if Aldara may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Aldara :
Use Aldara as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
• An extra patient leaflet is available with Aldara . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Aldara is usually not used every day. Be sure you know how many times per week you should use Aldara.
• A health care provider will teach you how to use Aldara . Be sure you understand how to use it. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• Do not apply Aldara to any area of the body other than the treatment area. Do not apply it to open wounds or to scraped, blistered, infected, or sunburned skin without first checking with your doctor. Do not apply it inside the anus or vagina when treating genital or perianal warts.
• Apply Aldara just before bedtime, unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
• Wash your hands before and immediately after using Aldara .
• Wash your hands and the affected area with mild soap and water before using Aldara . Allow the area to completely dry (at least 10 minutes) before applying the medicine.
• Men who have not been circumcised and are treating warts under the foreskin should pull back the foreskin and clean the area just before treatment. Clean the area daily while you are using Aldara .
• Apply a thin layer of medicine to the affected area as directed by your doctor. Gently rub the medicine in until it is no longer visible.
• Do not wrap or cover the treated area with bandages unless directed by your doctor. Do not wear tight fitting clothing over the affected area. Cotton underwear may be worn after applying medicine to the genital or anal area.
• Leave the medicine on the skin for the prescribed amount of time. Do not bathe or get the area wet until it is time to remove the medicine.
• Do not leave the medicine on the skin for longer than your doctor tells you. When it is time to remove it, use mild soap and water as directed by your doctor.
• Throw away any unused medicine that is left in the packet after the first use. Do not store Aldara in a packet for use at a later time. Throw away unused medicine in a trash container, away from children and pets.
• Continue to use Aldara as directed even if your conditions improve. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Aldara , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Aldara .
Important safety information:
• Aldara is for external use only. Do not get Aldara in your eyes, nose, or mouth, or on your lips. If you get it in any of these areas, rinse right away with cool water.
• Do not get Aldara in the vagina. Use care if applying the cream near the opening of the vagina. Pain, swelling, or trouble urinating may occur if you get it in the vagina.
• Aldara may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Aldara . Using Aldara alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Do not apply Aldara to sunburned skin. Wait until your skin has healed before using Aldara .
• Aldara may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Aldara . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Aldara may cause minor redness, swelling, flaking, scabbing, or burning at or around the application site. If a severe reaction occurs, wash the medicine off with mild soap and water. Tell your doctor right away if you have a skin reaction that is severe, affects your daily activities, or makes you unable to use Aldara .
• Aldara may cause a your skin to become lighter or darker. These effects may be permanent. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Aldara is not a cure for genital or perianal warts. Patients may still develop new warts during therapy. Remain under the care of your doctor.
• If you are using Aldara to treat genital or perianal warts, do not have any type of sexual contact while the medicine is on your skin.
• Aldara may decrease the effectiveness of condoms and diaphragms. If you are using Aldara to treat genital or perianal warts, use another form of birth control to prevent pregnancy.
• It is not known if Aldara will prevent you from spreading genital or perianal warts to others. Be sure to use safe sex practices to prevent the spread of genital or perianal warts. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about safe sex practices.
• Skin exams may be performed to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to all doctor and lab appointments.
• Aldara should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old who have genital or perianal warts; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Aldara should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years of age with actinic keratoses or sBCC; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aldara while you are pregnant. It is not known if Aldara is found in breast milk after topical use. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Aldara , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby
• Possible side effects of Aldara :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Back pain; changes in skin color; diarrhea; headache; itching, burning, mild pain, or tenderness at the application site; redness, dryness, flaking, swelling, or scabbing at the application site; small sores or mild drainage at the application site; thick or hardened skin at the application site; tiredness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue, unusual hoarseness); chest pain; fever, chills, or sore throat; irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or weakness; nausea; oozing, blistering, or bleeding at the application site; severe irritation or pain at application site, sores or ulcers at the application site; swollen lymph glands; trouble urinating; vaginal pain or swelling.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Symptoms may include dizziness or fainting.
Proper storage of Aldara :
Store Aldara at room temperature, below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Aldara out of the reach of children and away from pets.