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do i need a prescription for imiquimod

by Jayce Schmeler Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Imiquimod works on the immune system to help the body fight viruses that cause warts. It does not destroy the viruses directly. It is not known how imiquimod works for actinic keratosis or skin cancer. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Precautions

Over The Counter in USA Imiquimod. Before applying imiquimod topical, wash your hands and wash the skin area to be treated. Aldara cream is a white to slightly yellow cream, packed in a pump or single-use foil sachet. Have now again a normal findings Buy cheap Imiquimod Over The Counter and I would do it again at any time. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.

Can you buy imiquimod over the counter?

  • Application Site Disorders: burning, hypopigmentation, irritation, itching, pain, rash, sensitivity, soreness, stinging, tenderness
  • Remote Site Reactions: bleeding, burning, itching, pain, tenderness, tinea cruris.
  • Body as a Whole: fatigue, fever, influenza -like symptoms
  • Central and Peripheral Nervous System Disorders: headache

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What are some common reactions to imiquimod?

Topical chemotherapy is applied with a cream such as Efudex (5-fluorouracil), Carac (5-fluorouracil), or Aldara (imiquimod). It is a highly effective treatment for pre-cancerous lesions such as Actinic Keratoses (AK).

Is imiquimod a form of chemo?

What Is Imiquimod and How Does It Work? Imiquimod is a prescription medication used to treat skin conditions such as actinic keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and external genital warts. Imiquimod is available under the following different brand names: Aldara and Zyclara.

What is imiquimod prescribed for?

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Who can prescribe imiquimod?

It comes in a cream that you apply to your skin. Your dermatologist may prescribe imiquimod to treat: Actinic keratosis (AK) Basal cell carcinoma (the earliest form of this skin cancer)

Is Aldara available over the counter?

Aldara is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Actinic Keratosis, Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma, and External Genital Warts. Aldara may be used alone or with other medications.

What is similar to imiquimod cream?

Efudex (fluorouracil) topical and Aldara, Zyclara (imiquimod) topical (for the skin) are used to treat scaly overgrowths of skin (actinic or solar keratoses). Efudex and Aldara, Zyclara may also be used in the treatment of superficial basal cell carcinoma.

Will imiquimod cream get rid of warts?

Of those patients whose warts disappeared while using 5% imiquimod cream, 44% were clear by 8 weeks of therapy and 69% were clear by 12 weeks. Seventy-seven percent of women and 40% of men using 5% imiquimod cream experienced complete wart clearance.

Is imiquimod cream expensive?

The cost for imiquimod topical topical cream 5% is around $61 for a supply of 24 cream, depending on the pharmacy you visit.

What happens if you use too much imiquimod?

Using too much imiquimod topical or using it for too long can increase your risk of severe skin reactions. Do not use two different forms of imiquimod topical on the same treatment area. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine.

Who should not use imiquimod?

Imiquimod belongs to a group of drugs called immune response modifiers. It is believed to work by helping to activate your immune system to fight these abnormal skin growths. This product is not recommended for use on children under 12 years of age unless specifically directed by your doctor.

How long does it take for imiquimod 5 cream to work?

Most patients see improvement within 4 weeks. It may take up to 16 weeks to see a full clearing of the warts. This medicine is not a cure. New warts may develop during or after treatment.

Do you rub in imiquimod?

Rub it in gently. Allow the medicine to stay on the treated skin for 8 hours (for actinic keratosis or basal cell carcinoma) or 6 to 10 hours (for genital warts). Do not take a bath, swim, or get the treated area wet during this time.

What is the strongest treatment for warts?

Prescription-strength wart medications with salicylic acid work by removing layers of a wart a little bit at a time. Studies show that salicylic acid is more effective when combined with freezing. Freezing (cryotherapy). Freezing therapy done at a doctor's office involves applying liquid nitrogen to your wart.

What do dermatologists do to remove warts?

Curettage involves scraping off (curetting) the wart with a sharp knife or small, spoon-shaped tool. These two procedures often are used together. The dermatologist may remove the wart by scraping it off before or after electrosurgery. Excision: The doctor may cut out the wart (excision).

How long does it take imiquimod to work flat warts?

Kim and colleagues treated 15 patients who had flat warts with imiquimod 5% cream applied nightly for 12 weeks. The cream was discontinued when the warts disappeared completely. At 12 weeks, 6 (40%) patients had complete clearance of the lesions, and 5 patients (33%) had an excellent response (76% to 99% clearance).

How can I get Aldara?

You will need a prescription to get Aldara cream to treat genital warts. If you have a prescription from a doctor, you can get Aldara from most pharmacies.

How much is Aldara out of pocket?

The cost for Aldara topical cream 5% is around $99 for a supply of 12 cream, depending on the pharmacy you visit.

What is the generic for Aldara?

Imiquimod is a prescription medication used to treat skin conditions such as actinic keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and external genital warts. Imiquimod is available under the following different brand names: Aldara and Zyclara.

What is the cost of Aldara?

(Generic Aldara) The average Imiquimod pricing is $102.17 for 0.50, 24 Cream Cream.

How long does a saline sulfate stay on the skin?

Allow the medicine to stay on the treated skin for 8 hours (for actinic keratosis or basal cell carcinoma) or 6 to 10 hours (for genital warts). Do not take a bath, swim, or get the treated area wet during this time.

How long does it take for a wart to go away with Zyclara?

Adults and children 12 years of age and older—If you use Zyclara®, apply a thin film to the wart once a day at bedtime for up to 8 weeks or until the wart is gone. If you use Aldara®, apply a thin film to the wart once a day at bedtime 3 times per week. Your doctor will tell you which days are best during the week. Use the medicine until the wart is gone, but for no longer than 16 weeks.

How long can you go without Aldara?

If you use Aldara®, apply a thin film to the affected area of skin once a day at bedtime 2 times per week for 16 weeks. Your doctor will tell you which days are best during the week. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

How to store medicine?

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

How to prime a Zyclara pump?

If you are using the Zyclara® cream pump for the first time, prime it by pressing the top of the pump until the cream appears.

How old do you have to be to take a syringe?

Children younger than 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Can you take a sulfate med for burns?

This medicine should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating. Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions, such as severe burns.

How do I use imiquimod?

You apply the cream to the AKs, skin cancer, or warts. Most patients apply imiquimod before bedtime. You must leave imiquimod on your skin for several hours and then wash it off.

How does imiquimod work?

Imiquimod stimulates the patient’s immune system. This helps the patient’s body to destroy the genital warts, AKs, or cancer cells.

What are possible side effects?

It is normal to have a skin reaction. This tells you that the medicine is working. You may experience redness, swelling, and itching. If the intensity becomes too much, you should contact your dermatologist. Your dermatologist can adjust the dose or frequency to make you more comfortable.

What to wear when taking a med?

To do this, you should seek shade when outdoors; wear long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses; and use a sunscreen. Be sure to use sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF30+, and water-resistant. Avoid sexual activity while the medicine is on your skin.

Can tanning beds cause AKs?

Tanning beds, sunlamps, and the sun damage our skin. When the damage is severe, new AKs and skin cancers can form. Protecting your skin from the sun and not using tanning beds or sunlamps helps to reduce the chance of new getting AKs and skin cancers.

Does imiquimod cause redness?

You may have redness, swelling, burning, itching, and tenderness. As the skin starts to heal, you will see scabs and flaking. These reactions indicate that the medicine is working. When a patient does not have a reaction, imiquimod tends to be ineffective.

Can Imiquimod kill genital warts?

Some patients, however, continue to get new AKs, skin cancers, or genital warts. Imiquimod can destroy a tumor or wart — but not its cause.

How long does it take for imiquimod cream to clear warts?

Imiquimod Cream treatment should continue until there is total clearance of the genital/perianal warts or for up to 8 weeks.

How much imiquimod cream does hypotension have?

Hypotension was reported in a clinical trial following multiple oral imiquimod doses of >200 mg (equivalent to ingestion of the imiquimod content of more than 21 packets of Imiquimod Cream, 3.75%). The hypotension resolved following oral or intravenous fluid administration.

What is the USP for AK?

Imiquimod Cream USP, 3.75% is indicated for the topical treatment of clinically typical visible or palpable, actinic keratoses (AK), of the full face or balding scalp in immunocompetent adults.

How long does it take for lymphadenopathy to resolve?

This reaction resolved in all subjects by 4 weeks after completion of treatment.

How to treat AK?

In two double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical studies, 479 subjects with AK were treatmed with either Imiquimod Cream, 3.75%, Imiquimod Cream, 2.5%, or vehicle cream. Studies enrolled subjects 18 years of age or older with 5 to 20 typical visible or palpable AK lesions of the face or scalp. Study cream was applied to either the entire face (excl uding ears) or balding scalp once daily for two 2-week treatment cycles separated by a 2-week no-treatment period. Subjects then continued in the study for an 8-week follow-up period during which they returned for clinical observations and safety monitoring. Study subjects ranged from 36 to 90 years of age and 54% had Fitzpatrick skin type I or II. All Imiquimod Cream-treated subjects were Caucasians.

What are the side effects of imiquimod cream?

Patients may experience local skin reactions during treatment with Imiquimod Cream. Potential local skin reactions include erythema, edema, erosions/ulcerations, wee ping/exudate, flaking/scaling/dryness, and scabbing/crusting. These reactions can range from mild to severe in intensity and may extend beyond the application site onto the surrounding skin. Patients may also experience application site reactions such as itching, irritation or pain [see Adverse Reactions (6)].

How old are the subjects of Imiquimod?

Of the 320 subjects treated with Imiquimod Cream in the AK clinical studies, 150 subjects (47%) were 65 years and older. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects.

How should I use imiquimod topical?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What other drugs will affect imiquimod topical?

But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-count er medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

How long does it take to take imiquimod?

Even if you have skipped some of your doses, do not add time to the total number of weeks you use imiquimod topical (2 weeks for actinic keratitis, 8 weeks for genital warts). Your doctor will need to check your skin on a regular basis.

What is imiquimod used for?

What is imiquimod topical? Imiquimod topical (for the skin) is used to treat actinic keratosis (a condition caused by too much sun exposure) on the face and scalp. Imiquimod topical also treats genital warts on the outside of the body, in adults and children at least 12 years old. imiquimod topical is not a cure for genital warts.

What to do if imiquimod does not improve?

Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with imiquimod does not improve, or if it gets worse.

What is the purpose of imiquimod?

Imiquimod topical is also used to treat a minor form of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma, when surgery would not be an appropriate treatment. Imiquimod topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the best cream for genital warts?

Imiquimod is a topical cream that is used to treat external genital warts in people over the age of 12. Imiquimod can be used to fight the warts, but it doesn’t cure the underlying virus that causes the warts. You apply Imiquimod cream at night and it helps to encourage the immune cells to attack the warts.

How does imiquimod work?

Imiquimod works by helping the immune system to identify abnormal cells. Therefore, Imiquimod can be used for genital warts, actinic keratosis and basal cell carcinoma (an early form of skin cancer).

How to apply imiquimod cream?

Allow to dry. To treat genital warts, see the following instructions: 3.75% cream: Apply cream daily before you go to bed. Wash your hands after applying the cream.

How many brands of imiquimod are there?

There are three main brands of Imiquimod cream and generic Imiquimod is also available. These different brands contain different strengths of Imiquimod and are combined with different ingredients.:

How long can you leave imiquimod on your skin?

Always wash your hands after each application. Leave the cream on the skin for 6-10 hours. Then remove the cream with soap and water. Use for a maximum of 16 weeks. If your symptoms remain, consult your doctor. Note: Do not use Imiquimod on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin.

What is the purpose of imiquimod?

Imiquimod is a topical cream that directs your immune cells to attack abnormal growths like warts. Imiquimod can also be used to treat other types of warts and herpes resistant to antiviral drugs.

How long can you leave zyclara on?

Zyclara is applied daily for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks without treatment. Use the medicine at night and leave it on for 8 hours. Wash off the medicine in the morning with water and a mild soap.

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1.Imiquimod Topical: MedlinePlus Drug Information

Url:https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698010.html

31 hours ago Imiquimod cream is used to treat certain types of actinic keratoses (flat, scaly growths on the skin caused by too much sun exposure) on the face or scalp. Imiquimod cream is also used to treat …

2.Imiquimod (Topical Route) Proper Use - Mayo Clinic

Url:https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/imiquimod-topical-route/proper-use/drg-20067474

8 hours ago Most patients apply imiquimod before bedtime. You must leave imiquimod on your skin for several hours and then wash it off. Be sure to follow the directions carefully. Using more than …

3.Imiquimod (Topical Route) Proper Use - Mayo Clinic

Url:https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/imiquimod-topical-route/proper-use/DRG-20067474?p=1

28 hours ago Imiquimod prescription medication belongs to a class of medications known as topical immune response modifiers. Clinically, imiquimod cream is primarily used in treating certain cases of …

4.Imiquimod: Skin cancer treatment FAQs - American …

Url:https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/imiquimod-skin-cancer-treatment-faqs

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5.Imiquimod Cream: Package Insert / Prescribing …

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30 hours ago  · Aldara is usually applied 3 times per week for 16 weeks. Zyclara is usually applied once daily for up to 8 weeks. Superficial basal cell carcinoma: Aldara is usually applied 5 times …

6.Imiquimod topical Uses, Side Effects & Warnings

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4 hours ago Imiquimod is not a cure for condyloma (genital warts). It is not known whether Imiquimod is safe for use in pregnancy (Pregnancy category C). If you are treating the genital or rectal area with …

7.Buy Imiquimod Cream 5% (Generic Aldara) | Medzino

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9 hours ago There are a wide variety of treatments, all of which are designed to eliminate the lesions and kill the virus- these include freezing. laser treatments, and topical therapy with either prescription …

8.imiquimod no prescription - MedHelp

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31 hours ago  · Topical Cream. 2.5% (Zyclara) 3.75% (Zyclara) 5% (Aldara) Adult: Actinic Keratosis. Indicated for topical treatment of clinically typical, nonhyperkeratotic, nonhypertrophic actinic …

9.Imiquimod Cream: Wart Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, …

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