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Aldara information
Excess cream or prolonged contact with the skin may result in a severe reaction at the application site.
The use of an occlusive dressing is not recommended with Aldara.
Local skin reactions such as erythema (redness), erosion, excoriation (wearing off the skin), flaking and oedema are common. Other local reactions such as induration (hardening), ulceration, scabbing, and vesicles have also been reported. Should an intolerable skin reaction occur, the cream should be removed by washing the area with mild soap and water. Treatment with Aldara cream can be resumed after the skin reaction has improved.
- Before going to bed, wash your hands and the treatment area with mild soap and water. Dry thoroughly.
- Open a new sachet and squeeze some cream onto your fingertip.
- Apply a thin layer of Aldara cream onto clean, dry wart area and rub gently into the skin until cream vanishes.
- After application of the cream, throw away the opened sachet and wash hands with soap and water.
- Leave Aldara cream on the warts for 6 to 10 hours. Do not shower or bathe during this time.
- After 6 to 10 hours wash the area where Aldara cream was applied with mild soap and water.
Like all medications, Aldara has side effects that affect some people that take this medication. Some very common side effects of Aldara include redness (61% patients), wearing away of the skin (30% patients), flakiness and swelling. Hardening under the skin, small open sores, a crust that forms during healing, and small bubbles under the skin may also occur. You might also feel itching (32% patients), a burning sensation (26% patients) or pain in areas where you have applied Aldara cream (8% patients). Most of these skin reactions are mild and the skin will return to normal within about 2 weeks after stopping treatment.
MedExpress provides two topical treatments (treatments that are applied to the skin) - Aldara and Warticon. Click here to read about Warticon.
• A sexual health clinic sometimes offers surgery to remove the warts or a treatment to freeze the warts.
Always read the patient information leaflet before commencing treatment.
Aldara 5% Cream contains the active ingredient imiquimod. Imiquimod is used to treat external genital and peri-anal warts in adults. Imiquimod is an immune response modifier. This means that it stimulates a person’s immune system to release cytokines and works to attack the virus that causes genital warts- human papillomavirus. Imiquimod works towards clearing genital warts.
A thin layer of Aldara cream should be applied 3 times a week (for example Monday, Wednesday and Friday; or Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) at bedtime and should remain on the skin for 6 to 10 hours. After this period, Aldara cream should be washed off with mild soap and water
Treatment should continue until the clearance of visible genital or perianal warts, or for a maximum of 16 weeks per episode of warts. If your genital warts are still present after this, please visit your GP or sexual health clinic for other treatment options.
- Read the patient information leaflet provided with your treatment
- Avoid getting the cream on normal or broken skin and open wounds
- Hands should be washed thoroughly before and after applying the cream
- Avoid unprotected sexual contact soon after application because of a possible irritant effect on the partner
- Latex condoms and diaphragms may be weakened if in contact with Aldara
- Response to treatment and adverse effects may be delayed by some weeks
- Inflammation may occur within a few applications of Aldara
- Permanent hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation may occur
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Dr. Bryony Henderson
Dr. Bryony Henderson is Medical Director for MedExpress UK, bringing extensive experience in clinical operations, governance and digital health. She has previously held roles dedicated to delivering safe, scalable care across well-known brands. She is a recognised clinical voice contributing to award-winning campaigns, publishing on health inequalities, and appearing across national media. Here, Bryony leads clinical governance and quality, supporting the delivery of safe, innovative and accessible healthcare.
Adedayo Titiloye
Adedayo Titiloye is Superintendent Pharmacist responsible for the safe and compliant delivery of pharmacy services across MedExpress. He brings experience across community pharmacy and regional operations, including leadership roles within one of the UK’s largest independent pharmacy groups. Here, Ade focuses on building high-performing teams, improving processes and ensuring pharmacy services deliver safe, effective care at scale.
Dr. Carla Rodrigues
Dr. Carla Rodrigues is Head of Medical Operations at MedExpress, having previously held leadership roles in primary care networks and across well-known healthcare organisations, and has led scientific society groups in the field of sexual medicine. She has also completed training with MIT, Harvard and INSEAD. At HeliosX, Carla leads medical operations in the UK, overseeing the delivery of safe care pathways and upholding high standards in prescribing and clinical governance.
Dr. Kavir Matharu
Dr. Kavir Matharu is a GP Lead at MedExpress, with 10 years’ experience across a range of healthcare settings. She is a practising GP with a background in complex healthcare consulting, having worked on high-level strategic and operational challenges within the health system. She was also selected for a leadership fellowship with the National Medical Director at NHS England. Kavir has a strong interest in healthcare leadership and system improvement, with a focus on high-quality, sustainable care.
Dr. Daryl Perera
Dr. Daryl Perera is a GP Lead at MedExpress, with experience across NHS primary care, urgent care and private practice. He has extensive experience in digital healthcare and clinical leadership, and oversees clinical governance and patient safety across our digital health services. His work spans urgent care and preventative medicine, with particular interests in men’s health, obesity management, and sport and exercise medicine. Daryl has worked across a range of NHS and private healthcare organisations and previously held a GP Director role.
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BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD
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Liyya Patel
Liyya Patel is Deputy Chief Pharmacist at MedExpress UK, with over 10 years’ experience supporting the organisation’s growth and development. She is responsible for ensuring pharmacy services are safe, compliant and meet all regulatory standards, playing a key role in maintaining high-quality clinical care. Liyya previously worked in high-volume community pharmacy settings in Central London and is a qualified pharmacist and independent prescriber.
Dr. Olivia de Rougemont
Dr. Olivia de Rougemont is a GP Lead at MedExpress with over 12 years’ experience across the NHS and private sectors. She has extensive experience in digital and in-person care, with a particular interest in women’s health, preventative medicine, and delivering patient-centred support that feels clear and accessible. Olivia also leads and mentors GPs, and brings a global perspective shaped by her experience working across different healthcare systems.