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Aldara 5% Cream
From £69.99Aldara is a cream used on the skin to treat specific skin problems.
Expected Delivery: Thursday
Medication features:
- Used for the treatment of genital warts
- Can speed up the healing process of warts
- Prescription-only medication
Fast Delivery Available
UK Registered Pharmacy
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UK Pharmacy Registration Number 9011460
Aldara Cream Prices
- Medicine prices
- Delivery Information
| Aldara Cream | 12 Sachets | 24 Sachets |
|---|---|---|
| 5 % Cream | £69.99 | £129.99 |
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Prices include free private prescription. |
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Delivery charges
Royal Mail 1st Class | £3.95
- Delivered within 1-3 working days.
- Excludes bank holidays.
Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed before 1pm | £6.95
- Delivered within 1 working day before 1pm.
- Excludes Sundays and bank holidays.
- A tracked service with signature required on delivery.
Click here to find out more about our delivery service.
Refunds and returns – Read further information on return and refunds.
Treatment Information
Overview
Buy Aldara Cream Online
You can order Aldara cream online in the UK from our registered pharmacy. Complete the online medical assessment to be reviewed by one of our prescribers. If approved, your medication will be dispensed by our pharmacy team for next day delivery to your address.
About Aldara Cream
Aldara cream is used to treat the warts which appear on the genitals due to an infection from the human papillomavirus (HPV) after sexual contact with a carrier. Warts will usually clear up on their own after a time but they can be uncomfortable, embarrassing and life affecting as the sufferer should not have sex during a flare-up due to the ease of transmission to a partner. As such, topical, medicated creams such Aldara can speed up the healing process and help the patient get back to normal.
Aldara Summary Information
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Type of medicine |
Topical immunomodulator cream |
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Use |
Treats actinic keratosis, superficial basal cell carcinoma, genital warts |
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How it works |
Stimulates the body's immune response to fight abnormal skin cells |
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Active Ingredient |
Imiquimod |
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Directions of use |
Apply topically to affected skin areas as directed |
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Available strengths |
5 % Cream |
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Side effects |
Common side effects include Headaches, skin reactions like redness, swelling, and itching |
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Generic |
Yes |
The information provided in the summary table is for reference only. It is important to consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any genital warts treatment, including Aldara.
How effective is Aldara?
Studies have shown that the topical, medicated cream Aldara is effective and safe at treating genital warts, with 50% of mixed-gender participants in one trial experiencing complete eradication of their warts in one 16 week treatment period (or until the warts were cleared - whichever came first). Another female-only study showed a 60% clearance rate with an average time for complete healing of around 8 weeks.
Due to the nature of HPV, recurrences of genital warts are commonplace as the virus remains in the system for the lifetime of the patient, reactivating and causing warts or other such symptoms, often when immunity is weakened, but not exclusively. It is positive, therefore, to know that such treatments are available, which have been proven to actively heal the lesions and help the sufferer get back to normal more quickly.
How does Aldara work?
The active ingredient found in Aldara cream is imiquimod which is an immune response modifier which is designed to either enhance or suppress the body’s automatic response to something abnormal. In this case, Aldara causes the patient’s natural immune response to be enhanced and encourages its natural defences to respond to the abnormal cells of the wart. The immune system is locally triggered by the application of the cream, causing a release of cytokines which signal the desired response. These can then destroy the abnormal cells which are causing the warts, and as they die, new healthy cells will develop.
Directions
How long can I take Aldara for?
Although the medication tends to work within 8 to 12 weeks, it can be prescribed for up to 16 weeks. If the treatment has not worked after this time, then the doctor should be advised of this, and they will consider other possible routes, including another topical cream or else minor procedures to remove the warts more directly, including excision or freezing.
Once the warts have cleared, it is vital you stop applying the cream, as it can cause pain and damage to the healthy skin.
How should I take Aldara?
Ensure you read the information leaflet supplied before beginning any kind of treatment and follow the advice of your doctor. Aldara cream should only be used on external warts, never internally, and should be applied in a thin, even layer after carefully washing and drying the affected area. It needs to be rubbed directly on to each wart separately until the cream disappears, being careful not to get it on to surrounding healthy skin. Once on, you should avoid showering or bathing.
The application should be done before bed so that the medication is given 6 to 10 hours to work without being disturbed. The following morning it is important the patient washes the cream off with a mild soap and fresh water. The amount in the sachet is enough for 3 square inches, so the entire pack need not be used if you have warts covering a smaller area than this. The NHS recommends you also moisturise the area twice a day to soothe the treated skin using a mild cream such as Cetraben, but you can discuss this with your doctor if you are unsure.
Men using the cream on warts beneath the foreskin should retract the foreskin daily, washing it with mild soap and water to clean the medication off the skin.
If you find that you experience any issues from using this medication, then contact your GP or Click Pharmacy Doctor immediately for advice.
Cautions
Side effects
As with any medication, Aldara can cause side effects though usually they are only mild, and the most common is erythema or reddening of the skin in the area where the medication is applied.
Other potential side effects include swelling, headaches, erosion of the skin in the damaged area, pain during intercourse, bowel symptoms, sickness, thrush, dizziness, flu-like symptoms and migraines.
If you are breastfeeding, you should not use Aldara as it is presently unknown whether the active ingredient could be passed into the mother’s milk. You should discuss this with your midwife, GP or Click Pharmacy doctor before beginning a course of treatment. You should also inform your doctor if any of the following apply to you:
- previous issues with imiquimod
- low immunity
- abnormal blood count
- looking to apply the ointment on an area which has been wounded or has recently had a surgical procedure
- you require internal treatment
Before beginning a new treatment, let your doctor know about any other medications you are currently using (including complementary medicines and vitamins), as well as any allergies you may suffer from, to ensure this drug is safe for you to use and to limit any possible side effects as much as possible.
Always read the patient information leaflet before starting your treatment. Patient information can be found here.
Faq
How long does it take for Aldara cream to start working?
It usually takes around 8 to 10 weeks for warts to begin disappearing.
Can I go in the sun after using Aldara Cream?
You should not use sunbeds and tanning beds if you are using Aldara Cream. You should also avoid going into the sun as much as possible and always use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
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