How to use Aldara Cream
Brand Name : Aldara
Generic Name : Imiquimod
Aldara [Imiquimod] is used to treat conditions of Actinic Keratosis [AK], superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma [sBCC], Genital Warts [GW] or Perianal Warts [PW]. It is a once-a-day application, for 2-5 days every week, for a period spreading over 6-16 weeks, according to the nature and severity of the infection. Aldara cream is not recommended for children below 12 years in treating GW or PW, nor is it meant for youngsters below 18 to treat AK and sBCC. For individuals suffering from AK or sBCC, usage of Aldara is restricted to those who have a normal immune function.
Before and after applying this cream, patients should wash their hands with soap and water. The area that needs the application should also be washed with a mild soap and water, and allowed to become completely dry before the cream is applied. It is best applied at night, so that it can work on the skin for a long time, after which, you have to wash the treated area again with a mild soap and water. It is recommended that only a thin layer of this cream should be applied to the area or areas that are infected, and then rubbed in.
It is recommended that in GW and PW the cream can be left on the skin for a period of 10 hours [minimum 6 hours]; but, in conditions of AK and sBCC, it should not exceed 8 hours.
In AK, the cream is used once daily on 2 days of the week [for a period of 16 weeks], with a gap of 3-4 days, as on:-
- Monday and Thursday;
- Tuesday and Friday;
- Wednesday and Saturday.
It is recommended that patients should take the full course, even if all the actinic keratoses disappear before 16 weeks get over, unless directed otherwise by their physician. Check with the doctor/dermatologist regarding the area to be covered with the cream.
For treatment of sBCC, this medicated cream is applied once daily for 5 consecutive days, such as:-
- Monday and Thursday;
- Tuesday and Friday;
- Wednesday and Saturday.
- Thursday to Monday;
- Friday to Tuesday;
- Saturday to Wednesday;
- Sunday to Thursday.
In this condition, the therapy usually lasts for 6 weeks. It is recommended that while applying a thin layer of the cream having the sBCC infection, the cream should also be applied covering a very tiny area around the infected spot.
For the treatment of GW and PW, the cream has to be applied on 3 days in a week, giving a gap of one day in-between, such as:-
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday;
- Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday;
- Wednesday, Friday and Sunday;
- Thursday, Saturday and Monday;
- Saturday, Monday and Wednesday
It is recommended that the treatment should be taken uptil the time the warts disappear, or up to 16 weeks – as the physician advises.
As this cream is meant for the skin only, you must be careful not to let it enter your eyes, lips, nostrils, any open wounds, inside the vagina or anus. It is recommended that the treated area should not be covered with any bandage or closed dressing, though cotton gauze and underclothing are permitted. For each application use a new sachet.
Missed Application
Since it is only applied once in a day, preferably at night, it is unlikely that you will forget to apply the cream. In case you do, then please check with your doctor.
Do not apply more of the cream, or use it for a longer time, as this will only increase the side effects.
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