Aldara Cream
Actinic Keratosis, External Genital Warts
5% 250mg
Imiquimod cream for actinic keratosis and genital warts. It works by triggering the body's own immune response against the affected cells.
From$12.00/ sachetView
Imiquimod
Aldara Cream is the only imiquimod product listed here, a 5% cream in single-use sachets used to treat Actinic Keratosis and External Genital Warts.
Key points
- Imiquimod treats certain types of actinic keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and warts on the skin of the genital and anal areas.
- The cream does not permanently remove warts, and new ones may appear during treatment; it is not known whether it prevents spread to other people.
- Imiquimod may make skin sensitive to sunlight, and it can cause treated areas to become lighter in colour, changes that may not reverse after treatment ends.
How does Imiquimod work?
Imiquimod belongs to a class of medicines called immune response modifiers. Instead of attacking the affected cells, it triggers your own immune system to recognise and destroy them. The cream activates a receptor on immune cells (Toll-like receptor 7), which sets off a cascade of signalling proteins, including interferons and interleukins, that recruit the body’s defences to the site of application.
This mechanism gives imiquimod both anti-viral and anti-tumour activity. For warts, it prompts the immune system to clear the virus causing the growth. For actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma, it prompts the body to destroy the abnormal skin cells. Because the medicine works locally on the skin, very little is absorbed into the bloodstream. It sits within the broader Skin Care range as a targeted topical treatment.