Aldara
  • Generic Imiquimod
  • Aldara

Aldara

Medication features

Aldara is a topical treatment for genital warts. It works by stimulating the body's immune system to fight the virus causing the warts.

  • Cream treatment for Genital Warts
  • Contains imiquimod
  • Sachets

Overview

Buy Aldara Cream Online UK

You can buy Aldara cream for genital warts from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. After completing a short assessment, your order will be passed to our UK registered doctors for review. 

If approved, our pharmacy team will dispense and dispatch your medication to your chosen address. We use Royal Mail as a courier. Options include standard delivery or next day delivery.

What is Aldara cream?

Aldara cream contains the active ingredient Imiquimod. It is used for the treatment of genital warts. It is also used to treat two other conditions called superficial basal cell carcinomas (a type of skin cancer) and actinic keratosis. Imiquimod is called an immunomodulator, meaning it modifies the immune response.

Genital warts

Genital warts is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV infection can be passed on by sexual contact such as vaginal and anal sex, even if there are no visible warts at the time. It can rarely be passed on through oral sex or sharing sex toys with sexual partners. 

The warts can spontaneously disappear but this can take months or even years. If they do disappear they may return spontaneously in the future.

In about 30% of people the warts will disappear within 6 months. The warts will clear up within 2 years for about 75% of people without treatment. If you are unsure if you have genital warts, see our article detailing what to look for.

Certain types of HPV viruses have a risk of causing cancers such as cervical and anal cancers. The HPV vaccine given to school children protects against these cancer risks and can protect against genital warts, although rarely people can still contract genital warts even if they have had the vaccine.

How does it work?

Aldara cream is a type of medicine called an immune response modifier. Aldara works by helping the immune system of the body produce natural substances that help to fight the HPV virus. This is the virus which is responsible for causing genital warts. Genital warts are hard to clear up completely. One study suggests that complete clearance of warts occurred in 50% of patients who used Aldara for 16 weeks.

Dose

Aldara cream should be applied 3 times per week to the fleshy growths(for example: on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) before bedtime. It should remain on the skin for 6 to 10 hours and the area should then be washed with mild soap and water. 

Aldara cream treatment should continue until the warts clear up or for a maximum of 16 weeks per episode of warts.

How to apply

Before and after applying the cream you should wash your hands. Never put a bandage or dressing over the area you have applied the cream to. 

Aldara cream is provided in sachets. A new sachet should be used each time you apply the cream. If there is any unused cream in a sachet it should be disposed of immediately and not used for the next application.

A thin amount of the cream should be applied to the affected area and should be rubbed in until the cream vanishes. It should be left on for 6 to 10 hours, after this time it should be washed off with mild soap and water.

Side effects

There is always a risk of side effects when taking any medicine. Please read the patient information leaflet to be aware of the potential side effects. The most common side effects are skin reactions:

  • Redness in the treatment area
  • Itching or burning in the treatment area
  • Pain or irritation in the treatment area

Most of these reactions will be mild and improve during treatment. If you have any concerns about the side effects or your skin reacts badly to the cream please stop the treatment and seek medical advice from your pharmacist, doctor or nurse.

Aldara Alternatives

There are a number of other genital warts treatments available for genital warts.

Other treatments that can be applied include Warticon cream or Condyline solution, both available on our website. Both products contain an ingredient called podophyllotoxin. Podophyllotoxin is commonly used in the treatment of genital warts.

Another option available to patients is cryotherapy or freezing. This must be performed by a nurse or doctor who freezes the warts, usually once a week for 4 weeks.

It may take weeks or months for treatments to work and unfortunately there is no guarantee that treatments will work for everyone.

Aldara Summary

Dose

Apply THREE times WEEKLY before bed

Mechanism

Improves immune response against HPV

Active Ingredient

Imiquimod 5% cream

Price

from £55.99

Side Effects

Can include redness, itching, slight burning, irritation

Aldara Prices

12 Sachets

£55.99

24 Sachets

£104.99

FAQ

What is Aldara cream used to treat?

Our doctors can prescribe the cream to treat genital warts. It is also used to treat superficial basal cell carcinomas (a type of skin cancer) and actinic keratosis.

How long does it take for Aldara cream to work?

One study suggests that complete clearance of warts occurred in 50% of patients who used Aldara for 16 weeks. The manufacturers suggest that in half of women who clear with treatment, it will do so in 8 weeks. Half of men who clear with treatment do so within 12 weeks. This can differ between individuals, some people may find it clears quicker or slower.

What are the side effects of Aldara cream?

The most common side effects are skin reactions:

  • Redness in the treatment area
  • Itching or burning in the treatment area
  • Pain or irritation in the treatment area

Can Aldara cream cause more warts?

New warts may develop while you are using the cream. Aldara cream does not prevent you from spreading genital warts to other people.

Is Aldara cream dangerous?

If too much cream is used or the cream is used for too long it can increase the risk of severe skin reactions. It should not be used near the eyes, lips or nostrils and not used on broken skin.

When should I stop using Aldara cream?

Aldara cream treatment should continue until the warts clear up or for a maximum of 16 weeks per episode of warts.

Can I buy Aldara Online?

Yes, you can buy Aldara online via our online doctor service. You will need to complete an assessment to allow our GP’s to assess your suitability for this treatment.

Does Aldara weaken condoms?

Yes, Aldara cream may weaken condoms. For this reason, it’s advisable to use alternative methods of contraception when using Aldara cream.

By Clinical Pharmacist Hywel McGlinchy

FAQ

FAQ

How long do genital warts last?

The time it takes can be different for everyone. In about 30% of people, the warts will disappear within 6 months. In about 75% of cases, the warts will clear up within 2 years without treatment. Treatment may help clear the warts sooner. 

What does genital warts look like?

The warts are usually soft cauliflower-like growths of different sizes. The NHS website contains images of genital warts that may be helpful.

What could be mistaken for genital warts?

Genital warts can be mistaken for a number of things, such as skin tags, sores or ulcers. This NHS page has information on other things that may be mistaken for genital warts. For information on other sexual health problems visit this NHS page.

What happens if you leave a wart untreated?

An untreated wart will eventually clear but this could take months or years. Sometimes warts can be painful or irritating until they clear.

How do you get rid of a wart on your private parts?

Although warts will clear with time, treatment may speed up the process. The most common treatments are Condyline solution, Warticon cream and Aldara cream. These medicines contain ingredients that help to destroy the wart cells.

Other treatment options available to patients are cryotherapy or freezing. This must be performed by a doctor or nurse who freezes the warts, usually once a week for 4 weeks.

Warts can be difficult to treat and these treatments may not clear the warts up for everybody.

Can I buy treatment online?

Yes, you can buy genital warts treatment online via our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. After filling out an assessment form, it will be medically reviewed for suitability, and a prescription issued if necessary.

Side Effects

Warnings

Interactions

When filling out our online form, make sure to list any medicines you currently take. There are no known interactions between Aldara cream and other medicines. Although this is the case, it should be used with caution in people taking immunosuppressive medicines.

Other conditions

Aldara cream should be used with caution in people who have had organ transplants. It also should not be used on skin that is still healing from surgery or drug treatment. 

If you have sexual intercourse during treatment with Aldara cream you should apply the cream after, not before, sexual activity. It should be washed off before using condoms or diaphragms because it can damage the latex and reduce their function.

Contact with the eyes, lips and nostrils should be avoided. Before and after applying the cream you should wash your hands.

Reviews

Info Leaflet

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

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Aldara

Medication Simple Online Pharmacy
5% xAldara Cream x 12 Sachets £55.99
5% xAldara Cream x 24 Sachets £104.99
5% xGeneric Imiquimod Cream x 12 Sachets £55.99

Condyline

Medication Simple Online Pharmacy
0.5% xCondyline x 1 £24.99

Warticon

Medication Simple Online Pharmacy
Warticon CREAM £27.99
Warticon SOLUTION £27.99
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