Imiquad Cream 5 %

Imiquad Cream is considered an immune response modifier and contains the active ingredient Imiquimod. It is mainly used to treat a condition known as actinic keratoses that arises because of lot of exposure to sun and can also be used to treat skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma.

Imiquad Cream is used on the skin to mainly treat actinic keratosis on the scalp or face in adults. It is caused by too much exposure to sun. It is also used to treat warts on or around the anus or genitals in those above 12 years of age. Another use of the medicine is to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma in adults when surgery is not recommended and they have a normal immune system.

Imiquad Cream is a type of immune response modifier which works by stimulating the body’s own immune response system and thereby helping the body to fight the Human Papilloma Virus. It is used in the treatment of genital warts but it is not a cure for the virus that causes them.

Do not take the drug if you: Are under the age of 12 unless specified by doctor; Are allergic to the active ingredient Imiquimod  or any other ingredient of the drug; Are pregnant or planning to be pregnant as the medicine may harm an unborn baby; Are breast feeding your baby as it may harm the baby.

Tell your doctor if you: have problems with your immunity system; have other skin problems; have been treated or are treated for actinic keratosis with surgery or other medicines; have other medical conditions.

The dose that will be recommended for you depends upon your age, severity of condition, any other medicines that you are using and the indication for which it is being treated. Usually the recommended dose for the medicine is: Actinic keratosis: Twice per week for 16 weeks. External genital warts (EGW): Thrice a week for a maximum period of 16 weeks. Superficial basal cell carcinoma: 5 times a week for 6 weeks

You must wash your hands and pat dry. Open a new packet just before bed time. Apply a thin layer of Imiquad Cream on the warts and rub it gently till cream vanishes. Leave the cream in the area for the next 6 to 10 hours and then wash the area with mild soap and water.

You should visit a doctor to understand about the length of the treatment as it will depend on the condition that you are being treated for and also the patient’s response to the treatment. Usually the treatment goes on for 16 weeks or till the time the warts are completely gone. However, you must complete the treatment for the entire period for which it is prescribed.

In case of overdose you must get medical attention immediately. If a dose is missed then you must apply the dose as soon as you remember. However when close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the original schedule.

The most common side effects of the drug include: itching, redness, burning, dryness, flaking and scaling, swelling, scabbing and crusting, blisters, sores or ulcers, skin that becomes hard or thickened, changes in skin colour.

Imiquad Cream may cause serious side effects including: ulcers, local skin reactions, severe swelling near the vagina, skin drainage, flu-like symptoms fever, tiredness, nausea, muscle pain, and chills

In case of serious side effects as listed above or any other persistent discomfort you must seek medical attention as soon as you can.