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Aldara information
Excess cream or prolonged contact with the skin may result in a severe reaction at the application site.
The use of an occlusive dressing is not recommended with Aldara.
Local skin reactions such as erythema (redness), erosion, excoriation (wearing off the skin), flaking and oedema are common. Other local reactions such as induration (hardening), ulceration, scabbing, and vesicles have also been reported. Should an intolerable skin reaction occur, the cream should be removed by washing the area with mild soap and water. Treatment with Aldara cream can be resumed after the skin reaction has improved.
- Before going to bed, wash your hands and the treatment area with mild soap and water. Dry thoroughly.
- Open a new sachet and squeeze some cream onto your fingertip.
- Apply a thin layer of Aldara cream onto clean, dry wart area and rub gently into the skin until cream vanishes.
- After application of the cream, throw away the opened sachet and wash hands with soap and water.
- Leave Aldara cream on the warts for 6 to 10 hours. Do not shower or bathe during this time.
- After 6 to 10 hours wash the area where Aldara cream was applied with mild soap and water.
Like all medications, Aldara has side effects that affect some people that take this medication. Some very common side effects of Aldara include redness (61% patients), wearing away of the skin (30% patients), flakiness and swelling. Hardening under the skin, small open sores, a crust that forms during healing, and small bubbles under the skin may also occur. You might also feel itching (32% patients), a burning sensation (26% patients) or pain in areas where you have applied Aldara cream (8% patients). Most of these skin reactions are mild and the skin will return to normal within about 2 weeks after stopping treatment.
MedExpress provides two topical treatments (treatments that are applied to the skin) - Aldara and Warticon. Click here to read about Warticon.
• A sexual health clinic sometimes offers surgery to remove the warts or a treatment to freeze the warts.
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.
Aldara 5% Cream contains the active ingredient imiquimod. Imiquimod is used to treat external genital and peri-anal warts in adults. Imiquimod is an immune response modifier. This means that it stimulates a person’s immune system to release cytokines and works to attack the virus that causes genital warts- human papillomavirus. Imiquimod works towards clearing genital warts.
A thin layer of Aldara cream should be applied 3 times a week (for example Monday, Wednesday and Friday; or Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) at bedtime and should remain on the skin for 6 to 10 hours. After this period, Aldara cream should be washed off with mild soap and water
Treatment should continue until the clearance of visible genital or perianal warts, or for a maximum of 16 weeks per episode of warts. If your genital warts are still present after this, please visit your GP or sexual health clinic for other treatment options.
- Read the patient information leaflet provided with your treatment
- Avoid getting the cream on normal or broken skin and open wounds
- Hands should be washed thoroughly before and after applying the cream
- Avoid unprotected sexual contact soon after application because of a possible irritant effect on the partner
- Latex condoms and diaphragms may be weakened if in contact with Aldara
- Response to treatment and adverse effects may be delayed by some weeks
- Inflammation may occur within a few applications of Aldara
- Permanent hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation may occur
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Dr Bryony Henderson
Dr. Bryony Henderson joins HeliosX as Medical Director for the UK and US, bringing extensive clinical operations, governance, and digital health experience from Kry/Livi and Numan. A recognised clinical voice, she has contributed to award-winning campaigns, published on health inequalities, and appeared across major national media. At HeliosX, she leads clinical governance and quality and supports the delivery of safe, innovative, scalable care.
Dr Adam Abbs
Adam is a doctor and advocate for increasing access to healthcare internationally. He has extensive experience in video consultations, technology-enabled examinations, remote biomarker testing, and education. He is a published author and has medical licenses in the UK, Spain and Republic of Ireland.
Dr Safia Hussain
Consultant GP and Quality Lead
MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, DRCOG, PGDip Clinical Dermatology
Safia is a GP with experience working in the NHS with a particular interest in diabetes and weight loss management. She is passionate about the power of digital healthcare and oversees our approach to patient safety and regulatory compliance.
Declan Lismore
Declan is a pharmacist with 15 years of experience and is passionate about digital healthcare. He has extensive experience across all pharmacy sectors in the UK and Ireland. He has led the clinical and regulatory functions of some of the biggest pharmacy organisations in the UK and is excited about the future of the industry.