User Reviews for Aldara topical

Aldara is a money spinning scam, it's dangerous, most painful and should long have been forbiten.

I was prescribed this by my dermatologist. She said I may feel nauseaus. I am applying it to my upper chest 5 times per week and have finished 2 weeks. I'm stopping until I see her. It is itchy, burning, blisters formed and are now one big dry sore that is about 3 cm wide.I have had flu like symptoms, my lips swelled up to twice their size and were very sore. I had to take acycyclovir for 4 days to combat that side effect. I wish that the doctor and the pharmacist would have better prepared me. I'm not happy with the treatment side effects and the lack of information from the drug manufacturer. Read More Read Less

Hi I have been using this cream for the last four weeks with two more to go thank goodness I would never have believed that a cream could make you feel so yuk ranging from aches,pains,tiredness,itching,blistering,it does seem to be doing what it says it does by destroying the cells I feel a bit of a fraud really as to any one else it's only a cream but it really does make you feel awful (is it just me) oh well two weeks left fingers crossed

I began use of Aldara approximately 2 months ago for two large bcc, one one each shoulder. Since the patches are so large I have to use 2 doses to cover the areas. During the first week of use, the pain was excruciating, a 9 out of 10. I have since learned that this reaction occurs in 3% of cases. Fortunately, the pain ended after the first week. The areas have also become extremely inflamed with a rash and hives. the peripheral areas are so inflamed that I have difficulty remembering the situs of the bcc (the severely inflamed area of one shoulder is about 12.5 cm by 12.5 cm) and therefore make a best guess on where to apply. The other site is less of a problem. I am also experiencing joint pain in my knees and hip. I am 57 so that may be a coincidence but it is listed as a side effect. I also have an inguinal protrusion and occasional mildly sharp pains which may be the result of the hernia surgery I had a month ago, but again is also listed as a side effect. I will have an answer to this after next weeks follow up surgeon's appointment. I will continue to fight my way through the side effects and continue with the drug as long as my doctor can assure me that the side effects are temporary, since the alternative is surgery and substantial scarring. I keep reminding myself that chemo is not supposed to be fun. I will update this post when I have more information. Read More Read Less

I was given Aldara to use by my GP after being diagnosed with HPV. I had 5 genital warts initially, one large (about the size of a pea) and 4 small. Was told to use 3x weekly, every other day for 1 month. I must say I was horrified to try Aldara after reading horror stories online, but desperate times called for desperate measures. I am at the end of Week 2 and am pleased to say that all 5 warts are almost entirely gone. The largest is the only one that remains and it is barely noticeable. I did experience some minor irritation, redness and swelling of the labia where the cream may have accidentally spread, but nothing severe/unbearable. I applied the cream VERY sparingly which I think is key to avoiding the awful side effects others have reported. I am going to continue applying Aldara where the warts once appeared until my follow-up appointment in 2 weeks. Hopefully this will prevent the warts from resurfacing! Overall I am very happy with the results and would recommend to anyone suffering from GW.Read More Read Less

BCC on my chest large enough that if surgically removed would have required general anethesia. So they talked me into using this stuff. Have had flu like symptoms from the beginning, feel like crap. Also have developed prostate pain and frequent urination, plus ED. I'm at week 4 and the Dr. suggested backing off to MWF at week 3. Would like to finish the last 2 weeks but these side effects are freaking me out.

I was quite surprised by all the bad reviews, symptoms must vary depending on why the individual is using the cream, I personally am using due to a collection of GW's on my anus, embarrassing as it is, I highly recommend anyone to use for this reason, I started my course Friday evening, and apply last thing at night 3 times a week, 4 applications later and they are significantly reduced!, a months course should get rid completely. I did not have to personally meet a doctor to get this prescription only drug, Lloyds pharmacy online doctors dealt with my query professionally and quickly, all I had to do was send a photo, and within two days my cream arrived by courier. Hope this helps, and all the best! Read More Read Less

This treatment was a doozy for sure. I'm twelve weeks in already and most of the sun damage has been repaired. I know the first few weeks were really rough--red spots, scabbing, itching, etc. But, those symptoms just mean that the medicine is working. I had what I thought were three AK's and the medicine brought up dozens and dozens. I shudder to think of these ticking time bombs on my skin (I'm only 55--but, pasty-white skin and blue eyes and lived in Hawaii 20 years). The good news, if you stick it out, is that as you round into the last few weeks of treatment, you really see less and less redness (almost completely gone) and you end up with baby skin. Truth be told, as bad as the treatment can seem, the payoff with the silky skin at the end makes me wonder why the cosmetic folks don't hail this as a panacea for younger, soft skin. In any event, I'll know the effectiveness for sure over years and not just months. But, I can tell you this--if it helped my body get rid of abnormal cells that showed up as red and scabby, then I'm glad they're gone. I had much more sun damage than even I thought and thank heavens for Aldara. Yes, it's a long treatment. Yes, you look like crap. Yes, it's itchy and can make you fatigued. But, none of that is as bad as cancer. I would definitely recommend and do again, given the degree of hidden damage. Read More Read Less

I have been applying Aldara for 8 weeks now/ a 16 week regiment. My BCC is approx 3 inches round on my upper arm. Medication burns, itches but does appear to be doing what it is supposed to do. However side effects horrible. First 4 weeks severe body pain followed by severe shortness of breath now for over a month, ended up in emerg. I can't take the side effects and am going to doc this week. Hope there are alternatives.

I used Aldara for 4 weeks, the first 3 weeks five days on, two days off, the fourth week one day on one day off (per instructions from my dermo.)as the inflammation and itching and blistering and pain were awful and I felt like I had flu the whole time. The dermo. said that because I had such bad inflammation, the treatment might have worked even tho' I stopped 2 weeks early. I still have a bad painful rash above and all around my lips, even tho' I haven't used the cream for a week and a half - does this ever clear up, I feel so miserable. The BCC is on the cupid's bow of my lip, and the dermo. said that surgery would be painful and leave a scar. I just hope to feel better soon, it's been a horrible experience, especially for someone who has been sun-smart their whole life.Read More Read Less

Have just finished using for three weeks on my chest, had one sunspot and after two days my chest was covered in them. Can't describe how painful the treatment was, finished six days ago and chest is still scabby, weeping and very sore. Dr says it is as it should be and It should be clear in few weeks.. Don't know if I would recommend it.. Also had back ache and aching body while using it.. Just hope all cancer cells have been killed..

I can't really rate the effectiveness correctly yet as I have only been applying the cream for 5 nights -- but so far this has been far more difficult than I had ever imagined. I expected the raw face, but starting at day 3 I felt as tho every last part of my body had been put thru the ringer and every ounce of energy sucked out of me .. on top of that, on day 4 I developed cold sores and fat lips (that the derm called in valacyclovir for) ... I finally was able to get out of bed today but not for long .. I am looking forward to these 2 days off of the cream and hoping that once I start back up that my body will have adjusted and not react so violently to it. Read More Read Less

The site of the bcc (shoulderh turns into a crusty sore, but I had no side effects..maybe a headache for a day or so..but could have been coincidence. Other then that..I'm in week 3...all good sofar

I used Aldara for 4 wks and the side effects are horrible. I have had to take a one week break but started back yesterday. I use it 3 times a wk and the Dr. said it should take about 3 months. The blistering and itching are the minor side effects for me. I am also experiencing headache, backache, sinus problems, severe body aches, chills, sleepiness. For an active person, I can not stress HOW BAD I feel and do not have energy to do anything. And the longer you use it the worse the side effects are. But, it is helping to clear up my cancer and my only other option is surgery. Surgery for me would require a skin graft that possibly may not take due to the location. I am looking at having to take a medical leave from work to finish my treatments. Read More Read Less

I just started using this cream one week ago. I had 4 small patches of raised bumps, went to my doctor and was upset to find out yes it is hpv. I was shocked because I have always been super cautious and have had a very limited number of sexual partners. My doctor informed me that unless you have only had one partner (and your partner only has had one partner, you) you have more than likely been exposed to hpv. My gyno prescribed this cream because it works with your immune system to hopefully prevent more break outs. Within the first two treatments, 2 out of the 4 patches were gone. I was directed by my doctor to use the cream 3x weekly. What I saw after using the cream on the patches was that they would look very dry and whitish and this skin would come off and it leaves a red patch of skin. I called my doctor because I was so surprised that the areas were gone so quickly and asked her if I needed to keep putting it on that tender skin and she said to keep using it but 2x a week for 4 weeks. As far as discomfort goes, mine has been minimal. I noticed that the day after I apply the cream the skin is more tender but I have had no real pain, and honestly I'm not sure I would care if there was. Anything to make it go away is fine with me. I apply the cream at night before I go to bed (shower before), with a q-tip, only on the areas. I wake up and shower to rinse it off. I have put some antibiotic ointment w/pain reliever and hydrocortisone cream on the areas sometimes if I felt discomfit and that does the trick. After 3 treatments all of the patches are gone and overall I am feeling much better about the situation. I will continue to use the cream for 3 more weeks and check back with my doctor, in hopes to prevent future breakouts. I would say don't beat yourself up, it is extremely common and my doctor also told me that you can have one break out and never see another again but that is not for certain. The cream is expensive, my insurance payed $293, I payed $10. Read More Read Less

I have only been using this medication for 3 weeks, but since week 1, I have been suffering from flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, rapid heart beat, chronic fatigue, sinus problems, body aches, weakness, hot flashes, cold sweats and nausea. I informed my dermatologist I suffered from fybromialgia (?) and really didn't want to use anything that would increase the pain I already feel and she assured me it wouldn't be a problem. She was wrong. After reading the reviews of other users of this cream, I am definitely going to give her a call. Read More Read Less

Have been using this medication for the past 2wks now, it's not very useful. It wipes/washes off each time you use the bathroom, therefore making it very ineffective. Have experienced tiredness on this med and not feeling like myself. Have experienced ulcers on treatment areas, and it seems like the area actually got worse than better. Like I said , it's been only 2wks, so going to give it some more time to see how effective this is. They really should've made this med a thicker cream rather than being so light.Read More Read Less

It's difficult looking like I do and did (this is my second round with Aldara cream)the last time I used it on my forehead but the results were very good and without the headaches and other side effects that are mentioned in the brochure. I had the usual red blotches with some eruptions like a teenager with bad acne but all in all I am very pleased with the results and would recommend the treatment to all that can tolerate the side effects. Would not apply Aldera for more than FOUR (4) weeks and only apply on M-W-F then skip the weekend and start again on Monday.Read More Read Less

I was prescribed Aldara when diagnosed with HPV. The wart was on the side of my mouth and about the size of a pencil eraser. After 12 weeks of treatment and $600.00 for the medication it hadn't gotten any smaller. The medication itself caused the otherwise normal skin around the wart to break open and bleed. The other side effects were as terrible: nausea, diarrhea, general flu-like symptoms the morning after an application. After the 12th week of treatments I had enough of the emotional and physical pain, so I purchased an over-the-counter kit that freezes the wart off and used it according to the instructions. Inside of 36 hours, the wart turned black and fell off in the shower revealing new, pink skin underneath. I believe that Aldara was misprescribed for this condition, and my general experience with it made an already painful condition so much worse. I wish I would've tried the freezing kit before wasting my time, energy and money on this medication. Read More Read Less

I have a BCC on my lip at the cupid's bow. I didn't get very clear instructions on where to apply the aldara but since the biopsy was on the lip, I applied it there and above the lip (even though the directions say not to apply it on the lip...but that's what the doctor told me to do...). It's been a nightmare- swollen, crusty, bloody, painful lips. I would post photos if I could...The plastic surgeon said to hang in there and that it was working. Plus I feel sick and tired all the time too. The worst part is living by myself with no one to look after me and having to go out in public. It's soul sucking and embarrassing and I'm so ashamed. I am mortified. Read More Read Less