According to the Mayo Clinic, imiquimod is a topical drug used to treat genital warts. Genital warts are fleshy bumps that can appear on the vaginal, penile or rectal areas. They can be flat or raised, alone or in clusters, and have a cauliflower-like appearance.
Function
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and 11 are responsible for the majority of genital wart outbreaks. The National Institute of Health states that imiquimod (brand names Aldara and Beselna) works by aiding the immune system to help protect the body from the virus that causes the warts. The virus does not work on the warts directly, but does help to relieve symptoms and control wart production.
Use
For the treatment of genital and anal warts, you will more than likely be told to apply the cream once a day, three days a week. Medline Plus instructs that imiquimod cream should be left on the skin for six to 10 hours and should be used until all warts are healed, or up to a maximum of 16 weeks. Wash your hands before and after use of the medication. Do not apply an occlusive dressing.
Side Efffects
The side effects of topical imiquimod are blisters on skin, body aches or pain, chills, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of voice, nasal congestion, open sores or scabs on skin, scaling, sneezing, stuffy nose, severe redness of skin, and unusual tiredness or weakness. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult your health care professional for further instructions.
Precautions
Imiquimod is only used on genital warts that appear on the outer areas of the genital mucosa. Do not participate in any sexual activities while the medication is on the skin. Imiquimod does not prevent the spread of genital warts. This medication can weaken latex, so it is important to use alternative methods of birth control other than condoms or diaphragms.
Other Uses
The National Institute of Health reports that imiquimod is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of actinic keratoses (flat, scaly growths on the skin caused by too much sun exposure) on the face or scalp, and for the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma. While scientists understand how it works on genital warts, they are still unclear how it works on actinic keratoses and basal cell carcinoma.
