anus. become pregnant. Aldara™ Cream 5% HIV …

1 aldara Cream 5% ImiquimodConsumer Medicine Information What is in this LeafletThis leaflet answers some commonquestions about aldara . It does notcontain all the available does not take the place of talking toyour doctor or pharmacist. If youneed any more information aboutAldara, please ask your doctor medicines have risks andbenefits. Your doctor has weighedthe risk of you using aldara againstthe benefits it can have for you. Ifyou have any concerns about usingthis medicine, ask your doctor this leaflet with the medicineas you may want to read it MedicineThe name of your medicine isAldara. aldara Cream contains theactive ingredient is an immune responsemodifier. It activates immune cells inthe body. The immune cells thenproceed to kill and remove the virus-infected or cancer cells.

2 Although theexact way that aldara works isunknown, it is believed to be due toits effects on the immune aldara is usedforAldara is used to treat solar keratosis(SK) on the face and scalp,superficial basal cell carcinoma(sBCC), and genital/perianal warts. Solar keratoses are thickened,scaly patches of skin caused bytoo much sun exposure. Solarkeratosis is also known as actinickeratosis. Basal cell carcinoma is a type ofskin cancer. External genital/perianal warts(condyloma acuminata) are wartsthat appear on the surface of thepenis or vulva (external femalesexual organ) and around is not recommended for use inpatients under the age of 18 years asthere have been no studies of itseffects in this age doctor may prescribe Aldarafor another purpose.

3 If you are notsure why you are using this medicineask your using AldaraWhen you must not useAldaraDo not use aldara : if you are allergic to imiquimodor to any of the ingredientslisted under "ProductDescription" on skin where there are opensores or wounds. Do not startusing aldara until after thearea has healed. on warts inside the vagina orinside the anus or inside theurethra (where you pass urine).The use of aldara Cream onthese areas has not beenstudied. on areas that are sunburnt if the packaging is torn, orshows signs of tampering. after the "use by" date shownon the box or sachet or after 4weeks from first opening theAldara you start to useAldaraTell your doctor if: you are pregnant or intend tobecome pregnant. you are breastfeeding or intendto breastfeed.

4 You are or you think you areHIV positive. you are taking any othermedicines you have previously usedAldara Cream or other similarpreparations to treat yourcondition. you have problems with yourimmune system you have an abnormal bloodcount you currently have, or in thepast have had, any othermedical AldaraDosageAldara is used to treat several skinconditions. Your doctor will tell youwhere to apply aldara Cream , howoften and for how long to apply it foryour condition. aldara should beapplied just before bedtime and leftALDARA Cream 5%1on the skin for 6-10 hours. Sufficientcream should be applied to cover thetreatment area. Talk to your doctor ifyour condition re-appears KeratosisIf your doctor has prescribed Aldarafor the treatment of SK, the usualdosage is once a day, at bedtime,three times a week.

5 For three times aweek application, aldara can beapplied, for example, on Monday,Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday. Your doctor may tell you tocontinue applying aldara creamfor 4 weeks, followed by a periodof 4 weeks without any doctor will then check yourskin condition. If any SK lesionsremain, the treatment should berepeated for another four weeks. Alternatively, your doctor maywant you to continue applyingAldara Cream for up to 16 weeks,Each treatment should continuefor no more than 16 weeks at Basal Cell CarcinomaIf your doctor has prescribed Aldarafor the treatment of sBCC, it shouldbe applied to the affected area once aday at bedtime for five consecutivedays per week (Monday to Friday),or as recommended by your should continue for 6weeks unless your doctor tells Genital or Perianal WartsIf your doctor has prescribed Aldarafor the treatment of external genitalor perianal warts, it is to be appliedonce a day, at bedtime, three times aweek or as recommended by three times a week application, aldara can be applied on Monday,Wednesday and Friday; or Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday.

6 Treatmentshould continue until the warts arecompletely gone. aldara should notbe used for more than 16 weeks at atime. It usually takes 8-10 weeks foryour warts to disappear but wartsmay clear as early as 4 weeks. If yourwarts reappear, talk to your your skin reacts badly to aldara ,your doctor may recommend that youstop treatment for a few days. It isnot necessary to make up the dosesthat you missed or to prolong thetreatment to use Aldara1. Before applying aldara , washyour hands and treatment areawith mild soap and water andallow it to dry thoroughly. If youare using aldara pump removethe protective cap and primeseveral times until Cream appearsat the nozzle. Alternatively, opena sachet of aldara and squeezesome Cream onto your Apply a thin layer of Aldaracream onto the treatment area andrub it gently into the skin until thecream vanishes.

7 For sBCC lesionsenough Cream should be appliedto cover the lesion and about 1cmof surrounding skin. If using the pump, four actuationsof the pump is equivalent to thecontent of one 250 mg sachet ofAldara One sachet contains enoughcream to cover a treatment area of20 square centimetres(approximately 3 square inches).3. If using the pump, replace theprotective cap back on the pumpafter application of the store where childrencannot reach it. Wash your handswith mild soap and water. If usingthe sachet after application of thecream, carefully dispose of theunused aldara Cream in thesachet where children cannotreach it. Once opened, the contents of thepump are to be used within Leave aldara Cream on theaffected area for 6 to 10 not shower or bathe duringthis After 6-10 hours, the area whereAldara Cream was applied shouldbe washed with mild soap you are using aldara Do not use more than therecommended amount of Aldaracream.

8 A thin layer thatcompletely covers the treatmentarea and surrounding skin isenough. Do not cover the treatment areawith bandages or other dressingsafter you have applied Aldaracream. Cotton gauze dressings areokay to use, if needed. Stop using aldara Cream if youbecome pregnant, and do not useit if you are you are using aldara totreat SK: aldara Cream should not beapplied in or near the eyes, lips ornostrils. Do not use sunlamps or tanningbeds, and avoid going into the sunas much as possible duringtreatment with aldara protective clothing if yougo outside during daylight. New SK lesions may developduring treatment with Aldaracream. These lesions may resolveduring the treatment period. Eventhough the initial SK lesions mayclear with treatment, new lesionsmay develop in the future andrequire further treatment.

9 Aldaracream is not a cure, since SK isconsidered to be a chronic skincondition. There is not enough data tosupport the use of aldara to treatSK on the hands and arms. aldara Cream should not beapplied to an area greater than 25square Cream 5%2If you are using aldara totreat sBCC: aldara Cream should not beapplied in or near the hairline,eyes, ears, nose or lips. Do not use sunlamps or tanningbeds, and avoid going into the sunas much as possible duringtreatment with aldara Cream . Wear protective clothing if yougo outside during daylight. Visit your doctor regularly if youare treating more than one sBCClesion at the same you are using aldara totreat genital warts: Avoid sexual (genital, anal ororal) contact. If you decide tohave sexual relations, applyAldara Cream after, not before,sexual activity.

10 If you havealready applied the Cream , itshould be washed off beforesexual activity. aldara Cream may weakencondoms and diaphragms;therefore, the Cream should bewashed off before using acondom or diaphragm duringsexual activity. Alternate forms ofcontraception should beconsidered. The effect of aldara Cream on thetransmission of genital warts isnot known. Uncircumcised men with wartsunder the foreskin should pull theforeskin back each day and washunderneath it. If daily washingunder the foreskin is not carriedout, tightness of the foreskin mayoccur. Early signs of tightnessinclude swelling and wearingaway of the skin, or difficulty inpulling back the foreskin. If thesesymptoms occur, stop thetreatment immediately and callyour doctor. Female patients should takespecial care if applying Aldaracream at the opening of thevagina because local skinreactions on the delicate moistsurfaces can result in pain orswelling, and may causedifficulty in passing urine.