Aldara

Aldara is a topical cream that contains 5% imiquimod and is prescribed to treat genital warts. Aldara does not cure genital warts, but it can help to effectively manage some of the uncomfortable symptoms.

Imiquimod is an immune response modifier, which means it causes an immune response to get rid of genital warts. Aldara is a brand name for imiquimod.

Aldara cream encourages your body’s natural defences to attack and manage the infection. The active ingredient in Aldara, imiquimod, is an immune response modifier.

When it’s applied to the skin, it activates your immune system, causing inflammation, so that your body will recognise the abnormal cells. By doing this, Aldara cream stimulates your immune system to fight the human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts.

How long does Aldara take to work?

It is estimated that around 50% of people will find that their genital warts have disappeared within 16 weeks. However, in some people, Aldara can be successful in as little as 4 weeks, but it should not be used for longer than 16 weeks in total.

What are the signs that Aldara is working?

Signs that Aldara is working include:

• redness and inflammation at the infection site
• itching, burning, or stinging
• changes to the skin, including peeling, cracking, or blistering

When these symptoms occur, it’s a sign that your immune system is responding to Aldara and targeting the genital wart cells. Though it can feel uncomfortable and sore, this means Aldara is working and is not a cause for concern. However, if you experience uncomfortable symptoms for more than 10 days after treatment, or if these symptoms are unmanageable, you should speak to your doctor.

How effective is Aldara?

Aldara (imiquimod 5% cream) has been proven to be effective for genital warts. One study found that Aldara cleared genital warts completely in 50% of people, and the recurrence rate was just 13%.

Other studies looking into the use of Aldara in men and women found that:

In women, the total clearance rate was 60% compared to 20% in placebo-treated patients. The average time it took for the imiquimod cream to completely clear genital warts was 8 weeks.

In men, the total clearance rate was 23% compared to 5% in placebo-treated patients, with the average time to clearance being 12 weeks.

Aldara cream is applied directly to genital warts, usually before going to bed. It comes in single-use sachets that contain enough cream to cover a wart area of 20cm2.

Aldara cream should be applied 3 times per week, for example, on a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. You should only use it exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

To apply Aldara cream:

1. Wash your hands and the treatment area with mild soap and water, and dry thoroughly.
2. Open a new sachet and squeeze some of the cream onto your fingertip.
3. Apply a thin layer of Aldara cream onto the clean, dry wart area, and rub gently into the skin until the cream vanishes.
4. After applying the cream, throw away the opened sachet, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
5. Leave the Aldara cream on the warts for 6 to 10 hours. Do not shower or bathe during this time.
6. After 6 to 10 hours, wash the area where the Aldara cream was applied with mild soap and water.

When using Aldara cream, you must avoid:

✗ covering the treated area with dressings or bandages after application

✗ applying more cream than advised

✗ allowing the cream to come into contact with your lips, nostrils, or eyes – if this happens, rinse with water straight away

✗ applying Aldara internally – Aldara is for external use only

If you have genital warts on your penis under your foreskin, it’s advised to pull your foreskin back each day (not during application time) and wash underneath it. If you do not wash this area every day, you’re more likely to get tightness, swelling, or wearing away of the skin, which can make it difficult to pull your foreskin back. If this happens, speak to your doctor straight away and stop treatment.

When to apply Aldara

Aldara cream is best applied just before going to bed, 3 times a week.

How much Aldara to use

Each sachet contains enough cream to cover an area of 20cm2. You should only apply a thin layer of Aldara cream to the affected areas. Depending on the treatment area, you may not need to use the whole packet.

How long do you need to use Aldara for

You will need to use Aldara for as long as your doctor tells you to or until your warts have completely disappeared. Usually, this will be between 8 and 12 weeks, but you can use Aldara for up to 16 weeks.

Aldara can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them.

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include:

• redness
• wearing away of the skin
• flakiness and swelling
• hardening under the skin, small open sores, crusts, or small bubbles under the skin
• itching
• burning sensation or pain where the cream was applied

Most of these side effects are mild, and your skin should return to how it was before within 2 weeks after you stop using Aldara.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• headaches

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 10 in 100 people) include:

• fever and flu-like symptoms
• cough and colds with a sore throat
• muscle and joint pains
• prolapse of the womb
• pain during sex in females
• vaginal infections, such as thrush
• erectile dysfunction
• sweating
• feeling sick (nausea)
• stomach and bowel problems
• ringing in the ears
• tiredness
• dizziness
• flushing
• bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, such as a cold sore
• migraine
• insomnia
• depression
• loss of appetite
• swollen glands
• pins and needles

Very rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) include:

• painful and severe reactions – this is more likely if you use more cream than you need, so only use a thin layer
• difficulty in passing urine in women with painful skin reactions at the opening of the vagina

Speak to your doctor straight away or call 999 in an emergency.

A full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that is provided with your medication.

How long do Aldara side effects last

Most mild side effects will get better as your body gets used to the medication. Side effects, like skin irritation, redness, and swelling, will usually go away within 10 to 14 days of stopping treatment.

What to do if you get Aldara side effects

If you get any side effects that you find difficult to manage or are concerning, contact your doctor for further advice.

When applying Aldara cream, if your skin reacts badly, you should stop using it and wash the area with mild soap and water, and contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Aldara cream may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not use Aldara cream if you are:

• allergic to imiquimod or any other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet
• under 18 years old
• or are trying to get pregnant
• breastfeeding

Tell your doctor before taking Aldara if any of the following apply to you. You have:

• previously used Aldara cream or other similar medications
• autoimmune conditions
• had an organ transplant

Aldara and other medications

Before applying Aldara, tell your doctor if you are currently taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications. As Aldara is applied topically, to the affected area, it’s not likely to react with most medications, except perhaps other topical treatments used in the same area.

Aldara cream is a prescription-only genital warts treatment. If you have an NHS prescription, you will be able to get Aldara from most UK pharmacies, or you can request it from reputable online service providers.

Can I buy Aldara online?

Yes, you can request Aldara quickly and discreetly online from Asda Online Doctor by ZAVA by:

1. Completing a short online health assessment for one of our doctors to review.
2. Placing your order request.
3. If approved, your order will be dispatched and sent to your home address in discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your local Asda Pharmacy 4 hours after a doctor’s approval.
4. If your order is not approved, one of our doctors will contact you via your account with alternative treatment options.

Unlike a GP appointment, there is no need for a face-to-face visit when you request genital wart treatment from us. Instead, during your consultation, you will be asked to provide 2 photos of the affected area, so that our doctors can provide an accurate diagnosis and make sure you’re getting the right treatment. Our service is completely secure and discreet, and we’ll only message you through your private patient account.

Can I buy Aldara over the counter?

No, Aldara is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval to obtain it, and you’ll need a diagnosis of genital warts.

Can I get Aldara on the NHS?

Yes, Aldara cream may be available on the NHS, but you will need to make an appointment with your doctor so that they can assess whether it is suitable for you. They may also want to examine the affected area to diagnose genital warts if you have not been diagnosed yet.

You could also be given a generic imiquimod 5% cream, which will work in exactly the same way as it contains the same active ingredients, but is more cost-effective for the NHS.

Aldara is not the only genital warts treatment available. Alternative medications that we provide are:

Condyline

Condyline is a topical solution that is applied directly to small, soft warts to stop them from growing and spreading. It contains the active ingredient podophyllotoxin, a natural plant extract that can be used to treat anogenital warts, warts on the penis, and vaginal warts.

Warticon

Warticon is a topical cream that contains the same active ingredient as Condyline, podophyllotoxin. It is applied directly to small, soft warts and stops them from growing and spreading. Most people find that their genital warts are cleared within 4 weeks.

The main difference between Condyline and Warticon is that Condyline is a solution, while Warticon is a cream.