Aldara FAQs: Common Questions And Answers About The Genital Wart Treatment

Q: What is Aldara?

A: Aldara is a medication used to treat a number of skin conditions and diseases, including genital warts, certain skin growths and a particular form of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma).

Q: Will Aldara cure my genital warts?

A: No, Aldara is not a cure for genital warts and new warts can appear even while you are using Aldara. It is a topical cream that helps to speed up healing of infected skin cells.

Q: How does Aldara work as a genital wart treatment?

A: Aldara cream stimulates the immune system to target the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that causes genital warts. It helps the body’s immune system fight the infection. 

Q: What is the active ingredient in Aldara?

A: The active ingredient in Aldara is imiquimod, an immune response modifier.

Q: What other genital wart treatments are available?

A: Genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases and are highly contagious. Genital wart treatments generally fall into one of two categories – medication and surgery.

• Medication. Some of the more common, topical genital wart treatments are:

  • Aldara (imiquimod), which works by boosting the immune system’s ability to fight genital warts.
  • Podofilox, which works by breaking down genital wart tissue.
  • Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), a chemical treatment that burns off genital warts.
  • Medications can easily be obtained through Edrugstore.md as an online prescription

• Surgery. In cases where genital warts are large and/or when genital warts do not respond well to medication, the following surgical options may be considered:

  • Cryotherapy is a procedure in which the wart area is frozen with liquid nitrogen, creating a blister. When the skin around the wound heals, the wart becomes part of the dead skin and falls off.
  • Laser treatment involves using a laser beam to burn off the genital warts.
  • Electrocautery uses an electrified probe to destroy or burn off genital wart tissue.
  • Surgical excision is a more traditional procedure in which genital warts are surgically removed from the skin.

Q: How should Aldara be applied as a genital wart treatment?

A: Aldara cream should be used three times a week until the genital wart disappears, for a maximum of 16 weeks. Apply Aldara directly on the genital wart area only. Aldara should be applied in a thin layer and rubbed in until the medication is completely absorbed. Aldara cream should be applied just before normal sleeping hours and should be left on the genital wart area for at least six hours. Wash your hands before and after applying Aldara. Aldara should be washed off with a mild soap solution after 6 to 10 hours.

Make sure that Aldara cream does not touch your lips, eyes or nose. Your healthcare provider should show you how to properly apply Aldara to the genital wart area.

Q: What else should I know about using Aldara as a genital wart treatment?

A: Some patients may experience skin irritation while using Aldara. If this occurs, discontinue the treatment until the irritation goes away. In addition, keep the following in mind while using Aldara as a genital wart treatment:

• Apply enough Aldara cream to cover the genital warts only. Excessive use of Aldara is not recommended.
• Do not use Aldara if you are recovering from any surgery or if you are applying any other medicine to the skin.
• Aldara has not yet been scientifically proven to work on patients whose immune systems are suppressed. Aldara cream should be used cautiously by individuals who suffer from autoimmune diseases.
• Before using Aldara as a genital wart treatment, consult a physician and provide your complete medical history, including any other health conditions you may have. Make sure to indicate any other medications – prescription as well as over-the-counter – you may be taking. Inform your doctor if you’ve suffered from external genital warts in the past. Aldara must not be applied until your skin has healed from any other skin condition.
• Avoid exposure to sunlight as much as possible while using Aldara.
• For men who have genital warts on an uncircumcised penis, the foreskin must be pulled back and thoroughly cleaned before applying Aldara.
• After applying Aldara, do not cover the genital wart area with an airtight bandage. Cotton underwear or a cotton gauze dressing may be used to cover the area.
• If you forget to apply Aldara, put it on as soon as you remember and then keep to the regular schedule. Do not apply extra Aldara if you miss a dose by accident.
• Keep Aldara cream away from children.

Q: Why should I avoid going out in the sun while using Aldara?

A: Aldara makes the skin more photosensitive and therefore more susceptible to sunburn. It is best to avoid both direct and indirect sunlight while using Aldara. Avoid exposure to artificial UV rays as well. Use sunblock and wear protective clothing when you go out. Those suffering from sunburn should discontinue or avoid using Aldara as a genital wart treatment until the sunburn heals.

Q: What are the possible side effects of using Aldara as a genital wart treatment?

A: Aldara can be applied easily and generally causes little discomfort. The most commonly reported side effects of using Aldara cream as a genital wart treatment are skin reactions. These include:

• itching
• redness
• peeling skin
• swelling
• edema (swelling due to excess fluid)
• ulceration
• soreness

On rare occasions, Aldara users can also experience flu-like symptoms or an upset stomach. Contact your doctor if you have any unpleasant Aldara side effects.

Q: Are there any special precautions that women should take if they intend to use Aldara for genital warts?

A: Yes, women who use Aldara to treat genital warts should make sure the cream does not touch the inner vaginal tissue. This may cause burning, severe skin irritation and/or pain while urinating. Also, Aldara may be harmful to an unborn baby and could pass into the milk of lactating mothers. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant and are considering using Aldara, inform your doctor.

For more information about Aldara, other genital wart treatments, and other sexual health matters, visit our Sexual Health Articles database.