"Aldara" (cream): price, reviews, instructions, analogues

The drug "Aldara" (cream 5%) is considered a modifier of immune response. The main active substance of this drug is imiquimod, 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 will consider more in detail the cream of Aldara. Reviews, price, evidence, instructions for use will be described in the article.

Form of issue

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 preparation is produced in multilayer heat-seal bags of 250 mg each. The contents of one packet are sufficient to apply to the affected area of the skin an area of 20 cm². Reusing an open package is not allowed.

Structure of the preparation

In addition to the active ingredient, the cream contains auxiliary substances such as cetyl alcohol, isostearic acid, stearyl alcohol, white wax (purified), polysorbate, sorbitan stearate, benzyl alcohol, xanthan gum, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate, purified water.

Pharmacokinetics

After a single application of the cream, less than 0.9% of imiquimodum is absorbed through the human skin. A small amount of the medicine penetrated into the systemic blood stream is excreted without delay from the body through the intestine and kidneys in a ratio of approximately 1: 3. After multiple or one-time external use of the cream, the serum concentration of the drug did not reach a level that could be quantified (> 5 ng / ml).

Indications for use

For various skin diseases, Aldara cream is used. Reviews of doctors and patients indicate the high effectiveness of the drug in such phenomena as:

• Basal cell;

• Actinic keratosis;

• External perianal and genital warts.

To date, the most common form of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma. There is such a disease with small ulcerated nodules, slightly rising above the surface of the skin.

Symptoms of actinic keratosis are dense patches, 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 prolonged stay of a person under direct sunlight. Often such an ailment is called "sunny keratosis."

External perianal and genital warts are small growths, having the appearance of warts localized near the anus and on the skin of the genital organs.

The drug "Aldara" (cream) is intended for use only by adult patients.

Contraindications for use

Aldar's medication is a remedy. Therefore, do not use it for individual intolerance of the main active substance or any of the additional components of the drug. It is also contraindicated to apply the cream of "Aldara", expert reviews confirm this by intravaginal method and for the therapy of urethral and intranital warts.

When assigning this tool, a specialist must take into account the presence or absence of the following conditions:

• Positive response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

• Pregnancy or period of conception planning.

• Breast-feeding.

• Use of other medicines.

The use of this drug during pregnancy is possible only on strict indications and only if the expected benefit for a woman significantly exceeds the possible risk for the unborn child.

If there is a need to use the medication during breastfeeding, lactation should be stopped.

Since there is no data on the effect of the Aldar's remedy on the children's body, the use of a cream for children under 18 is contraindicated.

Cream "Aldara": instructions for use

This drug is highly effective, which is used for the therapy of several types of pathologies. The attending physician in each case develops an individual scheme for the use of the medication and gives advice on how long to use the cream and how to apply it to the affected areas of the skin.

Typically, 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, basal cell carcinomas adhere to the following treatment regimen: during 5 days, the Aldara remedy (cream) is applied to the affected areas and around them at a distance of 1 cm. The duration of the treatment course is 6 weeks. Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor can adjust the specified time.

Therapy of actinic keratosis

How to use Aldara Cream for actinic keratosis? The instruction for the medicine contains the following information: the agent is applied to the skin 1 time per day, twice a week. Between the days of applying cream it is recommended to take a break 3-4 days. The maximum therapeutic effect is achieved after 16 weeks of using the medication.

Elimination of genital and perianal condylomas

In this case, the drug is used as follows: the cream is applied to the affected skin area once a day, three times a week. The duration of one therapeutic course is 16 weeks. It is extremely important not to stop treatment. And until the condylomas completely disappear, apply the cream of "Aldara". The patients' testimonies 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 with a mild soap, and carefully dry them. Gently squeeze a small amount of medicinal composition on the finger. In a thin layer, spread the cream over the area of the lesion and rub gently until completely absorbed.

During the treatment of the cream (about 6-10 hours), you should refrain from taking a bath, shower, exclude any contact with water. After the specified time, place the application of the cream should be washed with water using a mild soap.

According to the instruction, dressing materials can not be used at the site of application of the medicament . In case of acute necessity, the use of cotton gauze bandage is acceptable.

During the treatment with the drug "Aldara" (cream), it is recommended to exclude sexual contacts, or immediately before intimacy, the product should be washed off. It should be borne in mind that this medication is able to reduce the durability of a condom and diaphragm, therefore, it is not necessary to use such contraceptives during the treatment period. It is necessary to consult with your doctor about choosing an alternative method of contraception.

Do not use this drug until the healing of the skin after other types of surgical or drug treatment.

Do not use this remedy on skin areas with open wounds or ulcers until they are completely healed.

During the treatment with the cream "Aldara" it is recommended to exclude or minimize the influence of sunlight, since the probability of obtaining a sunburn is high.

Imichimod does not have a direct cytotoxic and antiviral effect, so after the treatment, new condylomas of the perianal and genital regions may arise.

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, skin itch, folliculitis, eczema, urticaria, erythematous rash; Rarely - expression, induration, blistering, hyperpigmentation, local hypopigmentation.

• Peripheral and central nervous system: often - dizziness, headaches; Infrequently - depression, irritability, insomnia, paresthesia, ringing in the ears, drowsiness.

• Digestive system: often - nausea; Rarely - pain in the abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, rectal damage, pain in the anus.

• Sexual system: rarely - bacterial and fungal infection, vulvitis, vaginitis, herpes simplex, painful sensations during intercourse, pain in the vagina, penis.

• The hemopoietic system: in very rare cases - a decrease in the level of hemoglobin, absolute neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia.

• Respiratory system: rarely - rhinitis, pharyngitis.

• Musculoskeletal system: rarely - arthralgia, pain in the lumbar region.

• General malaise: often - myalgia, infection, fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms; Rarely - lymphadenopathy, increased sweating.

If there are local undesirable effects, the cream should be washed off with soap. Treatment with this drug can be resumed after the skin reaction has been stopped.

Many of the above signs are of moderate nature and after the end of treatment disappear. However, it is still necessary to report the occurrence of side effects to the treating physician.

Preparations of similar action

Does the medication "Aldara" (cream) have analogues? This remedy can replace such drugs as:

1. Similar in composition and indications for use: "Keravort."

2. Different in composition, similar in indications to application: "Atsivir", "Agerp", "Atsik", "Acyclovir Belupo", "Acyclovir-Farmak", "Acyclovir-Vishfa", "Acyclovir-Pharmex", "Virolex", " Acyclovist, Zovirax, Gerpevir, Epigen-Intim, Priora, Vratizolin, Gerpferon.

Medication "Aldara" (cream): price

The cost of this medication depends on various factors: the pharmacy's pricing policy, transportation costs, etc. The drug "Aldara" (cream) can be bought in almost every pharmacy in Moscow. However, today in the pharmaceutical market, you can find quite a lot of counterfeit products. You should be alerted by the low cost of the Aldara remedy (cream). The price of the medicine is in the range of 4200-4500 rubles per 250 mg package.

Remember: self-medication can be dangerous to your health. Only after consultation with a specialist can apply the drug "Aldara" (cream). Analogues of the medication are also used strictly according to the doctor's indications. We hope that the information in this article will be useful to you. Be healthy!