Aldara Information

What is Aldara?

Aldara is an immune response modifier. Aldara is used to treat actinic keratosis (a condition caused by too much sun exposure) on the face and scalp.

Aldara is also used to treat a minor form of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma, when surgery would not be an appropriate treatment.

Aldara also treats genital warts that appear on the outside of the body, but this medicine is not a cure for genital warts.

Aldara may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Aldara?

Aldara is used to treat different types of skin disorders, including actinic keratosis, a minor form of skin cancer, and genital warts that appear on the outside of the body.

Aldara is not a cure for genital warts and it may not keep you from spreading this condition to others through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You may develop new lesions during treatment with Aldara. For best results, keep using the medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.

Wash your hands before and after applying Aldara cream. Also wash the skin area to be treated, and allow it to dry for at least 10 minutes before applying the medicine. Do not use Aldara on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Aldara. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Aldara can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Aldara will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

If you are treating the genital or rectal area with Aldara, avoid sexual acvitity while the medicine is on your skin. Aldara can weaken the rubber that condoms or diaphragms are made out of. If you use a condom or diaphragm for birth control, these items could break if the rubber weakens and an unplanned pregnancy could result.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Aldara?

Do not use Aldara on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Aldara.

Before using Aldara, tell your doctor if you have graft-versus-host disease or if you have recently received a bone marrow transplant or cord blood transplant. You may not be able to use Aldara, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. Aldara may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. If you are treating the genital or rectal area with Aldara, avoid sexual acvitity while the medicine is on your skin. Aldara can weaken the rubber that condoms or diaphragms are made out of. If you use a condom or diaphragm, these items could break if the rubber weakens, and an unplanned pregnancy could result. It is not known whether Aldara passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Aldara without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not use this medicine on a child younger than 12 years old. Aldara is for use in treating genital warts in patients who are at least 12 years old. All other uses of Aldara are for adults over 18 only.

How should I apply Aldara?

Use Aldara exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. Using too much of this medicine, or using it for too long can increase your risk of severe skin reactions.

Before applying Aldara, wash your hands and wash the skin area to be treated. Allow the skin to dry for at least 10 minutes before applying the medicine. Always wash your hands after applying the medicine also. Do not use Aldara on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Aldara.

Aldara is normally used 2 to 5 times per week for up to 16 weeks. How you use Aldara will depend on the condition you are treating.

Actinic keratosis:

Use Aldara 2 times per week (such as Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday). Apply the cream from one Aldara packet to the treatment area, and rub in the cream until it disappears. A single treatment area should be no larger than a 2-inch square. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 8 hours. In the morning, wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.

Superficial basal cell carcinoma:

Use Aldara 5 times per week (such as Monday through Friday). Apply the cream from one Aldara packet to the treatment area and the border of skin around it, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 8 hours. In the morning, wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.

Genital warts:

Use Aldara 3 times per week (such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Apply the cream from one Aldara packet to the treatment area, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Do not cover the treated skin areas with any type of plastic bandaging, and avoid nylon underwear. You may wear cotton gauze or underwear over the treated area. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 6 to 10 hours. Then wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.

When treating genital warts under the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis, pull back the foreskin and wash it with mild soap and water before applying Aldara. Clean this area daily during treatment. When treating genital warts around the vagina, avoid getting the cream on the more sensitive inner layers of vaginal tissue. This could result vaginal swelling or irritation and painful urination.

Aldara is not a cure for genital warts and it may not keep you from spreading this condition to others through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You may develop new lesions during treatment with Aldara. For best results, keep using the medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.

All conditions:

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your skin may need to be checked on a regular basis. This is especially important if you have a more severe skin reaction to the medication. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve or if it gets worse during treatment.

Do not use Aldara to treat any skin condition that has not been checked by a doctor. Do not share this medication with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Each packet of Aldara is for a single application only. Throw away the packet after one use, even if there is medicine left in it. If you treat more than one skin area at a time, ask your doctor how many packets to use.

Store Aldara at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each packet unopened until you are ready to use it.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and wait until the next time you are getting ready for bed to use the medicine. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an Aldara overdose may include severe skin irritation, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while using Aldara?

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. Do not place the cream in your rectum, vagina, or uretha. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use Aldara on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Aldara can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Aldara is not a cure for genital warts, and it will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.

back to the top