User Reviews for Aldara topical

Confirmed diagnosis of Basal Cell cancer on the face. Tried this medication on one side of my face, and within two weeks had the worst cold/flu symptoms I have ever had in my life. I knew this was a side effect of the medication, and immediately stopped it. Called the doctor to report it and was told, "Oh, that's not from the drug..". I responded to the PA who made that comment to READ THE PI for known side effects. Did not finish as I did not want to suffer for six weeks of this. So I can't speak of results. Opted for Photodynamic therapy which is one day, one treatment. Know that you have other options in treating this problem, and check with your doctor.Read More Read Less

After using Aldara on my nose only,for 9 days, I developed a cold sore on my lip. It grew into a huge, painful lesion, cracked, bleeding lips and red, raw patches inside my lip. It was so painful that I was on the verge of tears for a week. 2 weeks later, it's still not better. My doctor and the patient info didn't warn me topical Aldara could become systemic and lead to such a drastic side effect. There should be better patient ed.

After using Aldara I have now developed an autoiimmune disease. In very good health prior.

After using Aldara I have now developed an auto immune disease. In very good health prior.

I now have Sjögren syndrome and am convinced it is from the Aldara.

I was prescribed Aldara for genital warts that after being biopsied were determined to be precancerous lesions on. Y scrotum. This creamâ??s side effects were horrible to my penis, as it caused the foreskin to swell and become severely inflamed and sore, much like a burn. Walking, even sitting or sleep became an issue and I finally could no longer withstand the pain and visited my dermatologist again, who advised I stop the treatment and use a steroid based ointment along with Muciprocin (Bactriban I understood). I am currently on day two of this and have some relief and can sleep again. I am on medical leave until this settles down.Read More Read Less

I used this for treating a BCC and wart on my shoulder. It worked like magic and I had no side effects. My dermatologist told me to prick the sachet with a pin and squeeze out only what I needed. A sachet lasted for the three days, so I wasn't using much. Perhaps this is why I was so lucky. My experience with having BCCs removed surgically (many) is also excellent, no scarring at all if done by a plastic surgeon, so don't be afraid to go that route.

Used 3x a week as prescribed and woke up one day with bright red skin and oozing blisters. Extremely painful to the point where I can barely walk. Make sure that you use the least bit amount of this stuff and don't let it touch surrounding skin unless you want to be unable to walk and in excruciating pain for a week.

BEWARE using on the face near hairline - Prescribed Aldara cream for facial sun damage near the hairline it didn't work but it did cause alopecia - I have been told it might grow back - the hair loss is the size of a 50p piece - my Dermatologist did not warn me of this side effect and nor did the accompanying leaflet with the drug so beware it has been 10 months now and the hair loss has caused more stress than the sun damage - I will be writing to the company very soon.

My doctor prescribed Aldara for my face. I stopped the medication after 3 weeks (it was prescribed for 4 weeks). Shortly after starting the medication I developed bright red spots covering most of my face that look like chicken pox. The medication activated my cold sore virus so my entire upper lip is covered in cold sores. I'm now on a medication to help heal cold sores and am applying a steroid cream to decrease inflammation. I would not recommend this medication to anyone, especially on the face.Read More Read Less

My grandmom used aldara on a BCC,she had terrible side effects,headach,convulsions,and died. Before using aldara she feels good.

Over 12 months ago my doctor prescribed aldara to treat 3 small warts on my foreskin. I applied the cream as per the instructions and did not experience any side effects except for very mild redness in the area I was applying it. After maybe 6-8 weeks 2 of the warts shrunk down and disappeared, I was delighted it was finally working. I continued applying the cream to the last (and biggest) wart and waited for the same thing to happen. Nothing happened at all with the last one. After another 2-3 months of applying the cream I went back to the doctor and explained what was happening. I gave up on aldara and asked for something else so he prescribed warticon. The pharmacist warned me to be very careful when applying warticon because the side effects can be very severe. I applied it for almost 6 months and experienced no side effects or burning. It made absolutely no difference to the wart. In fact if anything it was getting bigger. At this stage I was very frustrated and gave up on Warticon. I decided to give Aldara another shot since it had worked on 2 warts for me first time round. I applied Aldara 3 times a week as instructed for 2-3 months and again nothing happened. It was definitely getting bigger and I was ready to go back to my doctor and request to have it frozen off. The night before I was going to phone the doctor was one of the 3 nights for applying the cream. I decided for a change I would clean the wart first with hot water, I used VERY hot water ie. boiling with a little cold water added to it. Well the wart didnt like it at all and it turned quite tender and red. That was one week ago and it has almost disappeared since then! I think the hot water helped soften the wart so that the Aldara cream could soak in. Before the hot water the wart was very hard and crusty. I am so happy that it is finally working, I was so so frustrated after over 12 months of treatment. I hope this helps someone else out there, I know how hard it can be. Use HOT water!!! Read More Read Less

I put this cream on my ears and a spot on my forehead. The itching and burning were unbearable, to the point that I could not sleep. I was up the entire night. I am itching on my forehead, eyelids, and other places I didn't use it. The itching is so bad I think I am going out of my mind. Lidacaine burned, cortizone burned. Nothing has helped so far. Will never take this drug again.

Treated warts on shaft of penis. Once, accidentally got some on scrotum, wiped off - resulted in severe chemical burns on scrotum. Treatment area on shaft never had any reaction, despite direct application. Warts never responded after 2 weeks of treatment. Eventually treated with apple cider vinegar and warts went away. Stung, but much less than scrotum burn from imiquimod, and actually worked. Would not recommend this drug for men w/ warts in areas which could be treated with ACV.

I have been using this medication for years. Depending on the basil cell spot, the cream reacts differently. I have had some spots that grew to the size of a dollar coin, very painful, and the cancer spot has been eradicated. Some spots react with a small red lumpy itchy area the size of a pencil eraser. The only side effect physically is that I get very tired. I feel this cream is very effective, however, each person reacts differently. I hope this review is helpful.

I have extensive actinic keratosis on my face, chest and shoulders. I have been treated 3 times over 6 years. Imiquimod has worked the best, but with painful lesions. I tried Carac, which was milder but did not get rid of the lesions. I have been told I will need repeated treatment in the future. I am voting for imiquimod, use it during the winter so I am covered up. Carac was just not effective and I have such extensive disease that freezing or surgery would be a lot worse. I am unwilling to risk more advanced cancer. Read More Read Less

I was told I had HPV genital warts about a week ago. I rushed straight to the GUM clinic and they gave me Aldara after having cryotherapy. I've had the tiniest bit of itching but nothing I couldn't ignore. I caught mine pretty quick so I had a mild case of GW. I used a Q-tip to apply whilst using a hand mirror to look. My biggest one has already shrunk after the 3rd application! Considering I have type one diabetes this is amazing. Have a few in awkward places but I have seen improvement. I am putting it on every other day for a month and then if needs be going back for a check up. Don't let the horror stories scare you from using this cream and make sure you use it correctly!Read More Read Less

Been on med. for two weeks,no side affects as of yet. 3x week mwf three sm. areas with reaction. Red crack and dry. all on my scalp. Hope this works tried of dealing with skin issues. Two more weeks to go.Then see Derm. two weeks after.

I used Aldara for several months on my face and chest. I ended up with hundreds of painful lesions. It hurt a lot. However, considering the percent that could have progressed to SCC, I persisted and my skin cleared up completely and is very nice and smooth. A year later I am on round 2, but have many less lesions. This showed me the drug worked. I am a freckled redhead, raised in sunny CA. This treatment may be painful, but I will take pain over surgery and disease progression any day. I am a pharmacist.Read More Read Less

I have used this cream for 1 month on a small spot on my upper lip that the Doctor said was pre-cancerous. It made my upper lip very sore and nasty looking! Back to the Doctor in a month for follow up, fingers crossed it has done its job!