Aldara is the brand name for imiquimod, a topical medication used to treat sexually transmitted genital warts and several other skin conditions. Graceway Pharmaceuticals holds the U.S. license for the prescription-only product, which the Food and Drug Administration approved in 1997 for treatment of genital warts.
Use
Aldara comes in packets as a 5-percent concentration cream. The packets come 12 to a box, and each packet contains 250 milligrams of cream, which is 12.5 milligrams of imiqimod, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. You put a bit of the cream on your finger and rub it on as a thin layer until it disappears into the skin. The packets are to be used one time only.
Benefits
You can apply Aldara at home, unlike some other treatments, such as freezing, trichloroacetic acid and electrocautery, which require administration by a health care provider. Advantages of getting rid of the visible warts include eliminating symptoms associated with them, such as itching or bleeding. Eliminating the lesions can also yield psychological benefits, since some people feel embarrassed about having a sexually transmitted disease. Treatment may lead to a lower chance of spreading the virus on to others, according to New Zealand Dermatological Society.
Time Frame
You apply Aldara once per day, at bedtime, three times a week. Between six and 10 hours after putting the cream on, you wash it off with soap and water, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Treatment continues until the warts clear or for a maximum of 16 weeks.
Action
Imiquimod works by pushing the body to destroy the warts itself, according to Aldara's official website. It provokes immune cells--specifically, cytokines--to activate, and they kill cells that are infected with HPV. The drug does not, however, exhibit direct antiviral activity.
Warnings
Aldara can cause side effects, including severe inflammation, with weeping and erosion of the skin, at the application site. Some people also experience flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, nausea and fever. If these reactions happen, you may have to skip a day or two of treatment and then resume, according to the National Library of Medicine. Additionally, the drug is not recommended for internal warts, such as those in the urethra, vagina or rectum.
