Note: This document contains side effect information about imiquimod topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Aldara.
Summary
Common side effects of Aldara include: dermal ulcer, abrasion, application site reaction, burning sensation, desquamation, edema, exfoliation of skin, pruritus, skin erosion, and erythema of skin. Other side effects include: back pain, headache, and pain. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to imiquimod topical: topical cream.
Serious side effects of Aldara
Along with its needed effects, imiquimod topical (the active ingredient contained in Aldara) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking imiquimod topical:
More common
- Blisters on the skin
- body aches or pain
- chills
- cough
- difficulty with breathing
- ear congestion
- itching in the genital or other skin areas
- loss of voice
- open sores or scabs on the skin
- pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
- redness of the skin (severe)
- scaling
- shortness of breath or troubled breathing
- skin rash
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- tightness of the chest or wheezing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
- bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- blurred vision
- chest pain
- cold flu-like symptoms
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- frequent urge to urinate
- hoarseness
- joint stiffness or swelling
- lower back or side pain
- lump in the abdomen or stomach
- nervousness
- persistent non-healing sore
- pink growth on the skin
- pounding in the ears
- reddish patch or irritated area
- severe headache
- shiny bump on the skin
- slow or fast heartbeat
- swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
- white, yellow or waxy scar-like area
Incidence not known
- Blue lips and fingernails
- convulsions
- coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
- dilated neck veins
- extreme fatigue
- fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- headache
- irregular breathing
- nausea or vomiting
- pain in the shoulders, arms, jaw, or neck
- slurred speech
- sudden and severe inability to speak
- suicide
- sweating
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- temporary blindness
- weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body
- weight gain
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking imiquimod topical:
Symptoms of overdose
- Confusion
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
Other side effects of Aldara
Some side effects of imiquimod topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Burning or stinging of the skin (mild)
- flaking of the skin
- mild headache
- pain, soreness, or tenderness of the skin (mild)
- rash
- redness of the skin (mild)
- swelling at place of application
Less common
- Back pain
- lightening of the treated skin
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to imiquimod topical: topical cream.
General
The most frequently reported side effects are local skin reactions (e.g., erythema, edema, weeping/exudate, flaking/scaling/dryness, scabbing/crusting, and erosion/ulceration), headache, application site reactions, influenza-like illness, fatigue, nausea, and fever.[Ref]
Local
Very common (10% or more): Induration (78%), application site reaction (up to 33%), application site application site vesicles (up to 29%), pruritus/itching (up to 26.4%), application site burning (up to 16.1%), application site erythema, application site scabbing, application site exfoliation, application site dryness, application site edema, application site ulcer, application site discharge, application site pain
Common (1% to 10%): Application site irritation, application site swelling, application site rash, application site bleeding, application site papules, application site paresthesia, application site stinging sensation, application site tenderness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Application site dermatitis, application site hyperesthesia, application site inflammation, application site scar, application site skin breakdown, application site warmth[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (up to 15%)
Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nasal congestion, pharyngolaryngeal pain, rhinitis, pharyngitis[Ref]
Immunologic
Rare (less than 0.1%): Autoimmune condition exacerbated[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lethargy, paresthesia, migraine, somnolence[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Edema (up to 71%)
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, pyrexia, herpes simplex, pain, chest pain, influenza-like illness, infection, pustule, viral infection
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Face edema, asthenia, chills, discomfort, inflammation, bacterial infection, fungal infection, tinnitus, rigors, malaise[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, chelitis, vomiting
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth, abdominal pain, rectal disorder, rectal tenesmus[Ref]
Oncologic
Common (1% to 10%): Carcinoma squamous[Ref]
Hematologic
Common (1% to 10%): Lymphadenopathy
Frequency not reported: Hemoglobin decreased, white blood cell count decreased, neutrophil count decreased, platelet count decreased[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Atrial fibrillation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing[Ref]
Dermatologic
Very common (10% or more): Excoriation/flaking/scaling/dryness (up to 87%), erythema (up to 69%), scab/crusting (up to 64%), erosion/ulceration (up to 54%), skin exfoliation, skin edema, skin ulcer, skin hypopigmentation
Common (1% to 10%): Dermatitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, folliculitis, rash erythematous, eczema, rash, sweating increased, urticaria, actinic keratosis
Frequency not reported: Skin infection, alopecia, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, skin hyperpigmentation, cutaneous lupus erythematosus[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia, arthralgia, back pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain in extremity[Ref]
Genitourinary
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Genital candidiasis, vaginitis, vulvitis, dysuria, male genital pain, penile disorder, dyspareunia, erectile dysfunction, uterovaginal prolapse, vaginal pain, vaginitis atrophic, vulval disorder[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, irritability[Ref]
Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctival irritation, eyelid edema[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, blood glucose increased[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Hepatic enzyme increased[Ref]
Endocrine
Postmarketing reports: Thyroiditis[Ref]
