Aldara 5% Cream - 12 Sachets

Aldara cream may be used for three different conditions. Your doctor may prescribe Aldara cream for the treatment of:

• Warts (condylomata acuminata) on the surface of the genitals (sexual organs) and around the anus (back passage).

Superficial basal cell carcinoma

• This is a common slow-growing form of skin cancer with a very small likelihood of spread to other parts of the body. It usually occurs in middle-aged and elderly people, especially those who are fair-skinned and is caused by too much sun exposure. If left untreated, basal cell carcinoma can disfigure, especially on the face – therefore early recognition and treatment are important.

Actinic keratosis

• Actinic keratoses are rough areas of skin found in people who have been exposed to a lot of sunshine over the course of their lifetime. Some are skin coloured, others are greyish, pink, red or brown. They can be flat and scaly, or raised, rough, hard and warty. Aldara should only be used for flat actinic keratoses on the face and scalp in patients with a healthy immune system where your doctor has decided that Aldara is the most appropriate treatment for you.

Aldara cream helps your body’s own immune system to produce natural substances which help fight your basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis or the virus that has caused your warts.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Aldara cream

• If you have previously used Aldara cream or other similar preparations tell your doctor before starting this treatment.

• If you suffer from autoimmune disorders.

• If you have had an organ transplant.

• Do not use Aldara cream until the area to be treatment has healed after previous drug or surgical treatment.

• Avoid contact with the eyes, lips and nostrils. In the event of accidental contact, remove cream by rinsing with water.

• Do not apply the cream internally.

• Do not use more cream than your doctor has advised.

• Do not cover the treated area with bandages or other dressings after you have applied Aldara cream.

• If the treated site becomes too uncomfortable, wash the cream off with mild soap and water. As soon as the problem has stopped you may restart to apply the cream.

• Tell your doctor if have an abnormal blood count.

If you are being treated for genital warts follow these additional precautions:

Men with warts under the foreskin should pull the foreskin back each day and wash underneath it. If not washed daily the foreskin may be more likely to show signs of tightness, swelling and wearing away of the skin and result in difficulty in pulling it back. If these symptoms occur, stop the treatment immediately and call your doctor.

If you have open sores: do not start using Aldara cream until after the sores have healed.

If you have internal warts: do not use Aldara cream in the urethra, the vagina, the cervix, or anywhere inside your anus.

Do not use this medication for more than once course if you have problems with your immune system, either due to illness or because of the medicines you are already taking. If you think this applies talk to your doctor.

If you are HIV positive you should inform your doctor as Aldara cream has not been shown to be as effective in HIV positive patients.

If you decide you have sexual relations while you still have warts, apply Aldara cream after – not before – sexual activity. Aldara cream may weaken condoms and diaphragms, therefore the cream should not be left on during sexual activity. Remember, Aldara cream does not protect against giving HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases to someone else.