Imiquimod 5% Cream – Product Information
Imiquimod Cream is used for the treatment of actinic keratoses (a type of skin growth), Genital warts, superficial basal cell carcinoma or skin cancer. It is sometimes referred to as Imiquimod Gel or Ointment. Each gram of Imiquimod 5% cream contains 50 mg of the active ingredient imiquimod in an off white oil in water vanishing cream base.
We also stock Flonida Cream (Generic Fluorouracil) which is used to treat various skin conditions such as keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma, psoriasis and genital warts.
Name of Drug
Imiquimod Cream: We supply Imiquad cream manufactured by Gracewell.
Each 0.25g single sachet contains Imiquimod 12.5mg
Manufacturer
Gracewell / Glenmark
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient
The active pharmaceutical ingredient present in Imiquad Cream is Imiquimod.
Uses of Imiquad 5% cream
Imiquad cream contains Imiquimod 5%, which is an immune response modifier. Imiquimod is used to treat actinic keratosis (a condition caused by too much sun exposure) on the face and scalp.
Imiquimod is also used to treat a Biopsy confirmed minor form of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma, when surgery would not be the best treatment.
Imiquimod also treats genital warts that appear on the outside of the body, but this medicine is not a cure for genital warts.
Imiquimod may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Imiquad 5% Cream – Dosage
Use Imiquad Cream exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. Using too much of this medication, or using it for too long can increase your risk of severe skin reactions.
Before applying Imiquimod (Imiquimod Cream):
- wash your hands and wash the skin area to be treated.
- Allow the skin to dry for at least 10 minutes before applying the medicine.
- Always wash your hands after applying the medicine also.
- Do not use Imiquimod on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin. Wait until these conditions have healed before using Imiquimod.
Imiquimod is normally used 2 to 5 times per week for up to 16 weeks. How you use this medication will depend on the condition you are treating.
Imiquimod Cream for Actinic keratosis:
Use Imiquimod 2 times per week (such as Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday). Apply the cream from one Imiquimod packet to the treatment area, and rub in the cream until it disappears. A single treatment area should be no larger than a 2-inch square. Use Imiquimod Cream before going to bed and leave it on for 8 hours. In the morning, wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.
Imiquimod Cream for Skin Cancer (Superficial basal cell carcinoma):
Use Imiquimod 5 times per week (such as Monday through Friday). Apply the cream from one Imiquimod packet to the treatment area and the border of skin around it, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 8 hours. In the morning, wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.
Imiquimod Cream for Genital warts:
Use Imiquimod Cream 3 times per week (such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Apply the cream from one Imiquimod packet to the treatment area, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Do not cover the treated skin areas with any type of plastic bandaging, and avoid nylon underwear. You may wear cotton gauze or underwear over the treated area. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 6 to 10 hours. Then wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.
When treating genital warts under the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis, pull back the foreskin and wash it with mild soap and water before applying Imiquimod. Clean this area daily during treatment. When treating genital warts around the vagina, avoid getting the cream on the more sensitive inner layers of vaginal tissue. This could result in vaginal swelling or irritation and painful urination.
Imiquimod Cream is not a cure for genital warts and it may not keep you from spreading this condition to others through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You may develop new lesions during treatment with Imiquimod. For best results, keep using the medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.
Imiquimod Cream for all other conditions:
To be sure Imiquimod Cream is helping your condition, your skin may need to be checked on a regular basis. This is especially important if you have a more severe skin reaction to the medication. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve or if it gets worse during treatment.
Do not use Imiquimod Cream to treat any skin condition that has not been checked by a doctor. Do not share this medication with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Each packet of Imiquimod Cream is for a single application only. Throw away the packet after one use, even if there is medicine left in it. If you treat more than one skin area at a time, ask your doctor how many packets to use.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Imiquimod 5% Cream essentially plays the role of an immune response modifier. By stimulating the immune response of the skin, Imiquimod aids in reducing the formation of actinic keratosis and prevents the formation of new AKs.
Missed Dose
Skip the missed dose and wait until the next time you are getting ready for bed to use the medicine. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Storage Information
Store Imiquimod Cream at room temperature; away from moisture and heat. Keep each packet of Imiquimod 5% Cream unopened until you are ready to use it.
Warnings and Precautions
Before using Imiquimod Cream please inform your doctor all the medicines that you take including no prescription medications, over the counter medicines and herbal remedies. Imiquimod should not be used by patients who are allergic to Imiquimod any of the inactive ingredients contained in Imiquimod cream.
- What should I avoid while using Imiquimod Cream?
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. Do not place the cream in your rectum, vagina, or uretha. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water.
Do not use Imiquimod on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Imiquimod can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
Imiquimod Ointment is not a cure for genital warts, and it will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis.
- What other drugs will affect Imiquimod Cream?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied Imiquimod. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor
Possible Side Effects
Common to bothersome side effects of this medication may include
- back pain, diarrhea, headache, mild pain, burning, itching, redness, flaking, scaling, dryness, erythema, edema, induration, excoriation, erosion, ulceration, swelling, tenderness at the application site, scabbing/crusting, thick or hardened skin at the application site.Other reported reactions occuring in 1% or more of patients include fatigue, fever, and headache.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:
- hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Wash off the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious skin reaction such as severe itching, burning, oozing, bleeding, or skin changes where the medicine is applied.
Other Less serious side effects may include:
- mild skin irritation, dryness, flaking, scabbing, redness, or hardening of the skin where the medicine was applied;
- changes in the color of treated skin;
- fever, chills, body aches, swollen glands, flu symptoms;
- runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat;
- headache, back ache, muscle pain; or
- diarrhea, upset stomach.
This is not a complete list of all the possible side effects of Imiquimod 5% Cream and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
Buy Imiquimod 5% Cream Online
You can buy Imiquimod 5% Cream online from the Swiss Pharmacy. The sachets are priced at $6.23 per unit for an order of 48 sachets .
