The drug “Aldara” (cream 5%) is considered an immune response modifier. The main active ingredient of this drug is imichimod, which has a stimulating effect on the body and activates the production of interferon. The latter, in turn, is produced by the body to counter various skin diseases and viruses. Today we’ll take a closer look at Aldara cream. Reviews, price, indications, instructions for use will be described in the article.
Release form
The product is produced in the form of a cream for external use. The color of the composition can vary from white to light yellow. The drug is released in multilayer heat-sealable packages of 250 mg. The contents of one package is sufficient for application to the affected area of the skin with an area of 20 cm². Reuse of the opened package is not permitted.
The composition of the drug
In addition to the active component, the composition of the cream contains such auxiliary substances as cetyl alcohol, isostearic acid, stearyl alcohol, white paraffin (purified), polysorbate, sorbitan stearate, benzyl alcohol, xanthan gum, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate.
Pharmacokinetics
After a single application of the cream, less than 0.9% of imichimod is absorbed through the skin of a person. A small amount of the drug that has entered the systemic circulation is excreted without delay from the body through the intestines and kidneys in a ratio of approximately 1: 3. After repeated or single external use of the cream, the concentration of the drug in the blood serum did not reach a level that could be quantified (> 5 ng / ml).
Indications for use
For various skin diseases, Aldara cream is used. The reviews of doctors and patients indicate a high effectiveness of the medication with such phenomena as:
Today, basal cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. Such a disease manifests itself in small ulcerated nodules, slightly rising above the surface of the skin.
Symptoms of actinic keratosis are dense areas covered with scales, they are localized on the skin of the face and head. As a rule, the main reason for the development of keratosis is a person's prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Often such an ailment is called "solar keratosis."
External perianal and genital warts are small growths that look like warts, which are localized near the anus and on the skin of the genital organs.
The drug "Aldara" (cream) is intended for use exclusively by adult patients.
Contraindications
Aldara medication is a remedy. Therefore, it should not be used if you are hypersensitive to the main active substance or any of the additional components of the drug. It is also contraindicated to use Aldara cream, expert reviews confirm this in an intravaginal way and for the treatment of urethral and intranal warts.
When appointing this tool, a specialist must take into account the presence or absence of the following conditions:
Positive response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Pregnancy or conception planning period.
Breast-feeding.
The use of other medications.
The use of this drug during pregnancy is possible only according to strict indications and only if the expected benefit for the woman significantly exceeds the possible risk for the unborn child.
If there is a need for the use of a medication during breastfeeding, lactation must be stopped.
Since there is no data on the effect of Aldara on the child’s body, the use of cream for children under 18 years of age is contraindicated.
Aldara cream: instructions for use
This drug is a highly effective drug that is used to treat several types of pathologies. The attending physician in each case develops an individual regimen for the use of the medication and gives recommendations on how long to use the cream and how to apply it on the affected areas of the skin.
As a rule, the product is applied to the skin before bedtime. To achieve the most positive result, the composition should be on the skin for 6-10 hours.
Treatment of basal cell carcinoma
For therapy, basaliomas adhere to the following treatment regimen: for 5 days, the Aldara agent (cream) is applied to and around the affected areas at a distance of 1 cm. The duration of the treatment course is 6 weeks. Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor may adjust the specified time.
Actinic keratosis therapy
How to use Aldara cream for actinic keratosis? The instructions for the medication contain the following information: the product is applied to the skin 1 time per day, twice a week. Between the days of applying the cream, it is recommended to take a break of 3-4 days. The maximum therapeutic effect is achieved after 16 weeks of using the medication.
Elimination of genital and perianal genital warts
In this case, the drug is used as follows: the cream is applied to the affected area of the skin 1 time per day, three times a week. The duration of one therapeutic course is 16 weeks. It is imperative not to stop treatment. And until the condylomas completely disappear, apply Aldara cream. Testimonials of patients indicate that neoplasms, as a rule, disappear after 8-10 weeks.
Application features
Before using the cream, you should wash your hands and affected areas of the skin well with a mild soap, dry them thoroughly. Gently squeeze a small amount of the medicinal composition onto your finger. Spread the cream over the affected area with a thin layer and gently rub until completely absorbed.
During exposure to the cream (about 6-10 hours), you should refuse to take a bath, shower, exclude any contact with water. After the specified time, the place of application of the cream must be washed with water using a mild soap.
According to the instructions, dressings should not be used at the place of application of the medication . In case of acute need, a cotton gauze bandage is acceptable.
During the treatment with the drug “Aldara” (cream), it is recommended to exclude sexual contact, or immediately before intimacy, the product must be washed off. It should be borne in mind that this medication is able to reduce the wear resistance of the condom and diaphragm, therefore, such contraceptives should not be used during treatment. It is necessary to consult a doctor regarding the choice of an alternative method of contraception.
This drug should not be used before healing of the skin after other types of surgical or medical treatment.
You can not use the product in question on areas of the skin with open wounds or ulcers until they are completely healed.
During the treatment with Aldara cream, it is recommended to exclude or minimize the influence of sunlight, since there is a high probability of sunburn.
Imihimod does not have a direct cytotoxic and antiviral effect, therefore, after conduction of treatment, new condylomas of the perianal and genital areas may occur.
Side effect
Almost all medications have undesirable effects, and the drug Aldara is no exception. The side effect of the drug in question is manifested by the following symptoms:
Skin reactions: very often - pain and itching at the place of use of the cream; often - erythema, infection, erosion, edema, peeling; infrequently - dermatitis, pruritus, folliculitis, eczema, urticaria, erythematous rash; rarely - manifestation, induction, vesicle formation, hyperpigmentation, local hypopigmentation.
Peripheral and central nervous system: often - dizziness, headaches; infrequently - depression, irritability, insomnia, paresthesia, tinnitus, drowsiness.
Digestive system: often - nausea; rarely - pain in the abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, damage to the rectum, pain in the anus.
Reproductive system: rarely - bacterial and fungal infection, vulvitis, vaginitis, herpes simplex, pain during intercourse, pain in the vagina, penis.
Hematopoietic system: in very rare cases - a decrease in hemoglobin, absolute neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia.
Respiratory system: rarely - rhinitis, pharyngitis.
Musculoskeletal system: rarely - arthralgia, pain in the lumbar region.
Common ailments: often - myalgia, infection, fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms; rarely - lymphadenopathy, increased sweating.
If local unwanted effects occur, the cream should be washed off with soap and water. Treatment with this drug can be resumed after the skin reaction has been stopped.
Many of the above symptoms are mild and disappear after treatment. However, the doctor should still report side effects.
Preparations of a similar action
Does the drug “Aldara” (cream) have analogues? This drug can replace drugs such as:
Similar in composition and indications for use: “Keravort”.
Different in composition, similar in indications to use: “Atsivir”, “Agerp”, “Atsik”, “Atsiklovir Belupo”, “Atsiklovir-Farmak”, “Atsiklovir-Vishfa”, “Atsiklovir-Farmeks”, “Virolex”, “ Acyclostad ”,“ Zovirax ”,“ Herpevir ”,“ Epigen-Intim ”,“ Priora ”,“ Vratizolin ”,“ Herpferon ”.
Aldara medication (cream): price
The cost of this medicine depends on various factors: the price policy of the pharmacy, transportation costs, etc. The drug Aldara (cream) can be bought in Moscow in almost every pharmacy. However, today in the pharmaceutical market you can find a fairly large number of counterfeit products. You should be alerted by the low cost of Aldara (cream). The price of the drug is in the range of 4200-4500 rubles for a package of 250 mg.
Remember: self-medication can be dangerous to your health. Only after consultation with a specialist can the drug Aldara (cream) be used. Analogues of the drug are also used strictly according to the doctor’s testimony. We hope the information in this article is helpful to you. Be healthy!