Prescription skin cancer cream Aldara has horrific side effects...

Elaine Hollingsworth put Aldara on her nose thinking that it was the "benign salve" that her dermatologist made it out to be; instead, it was the beginning of her nightmare.

[MJM]

Allison Ogawa wrote:

The doctor put a smear of Aldara today on my nose and under my eye. Please tell me what the horrific sffects were

Read the article. It's pretty scary. Good luck.

[Liz England]

My mother has been prescribed Aldara and it has caused serious problems with irritation to her eves, with itchiness, redness and sight difficulties.

[fallen]

Allison Ogawa wrote:

The doctor put a smear of Aldara today on my nose and under my eye. Please tell me what the horrific sffects were

best wishes

[susan simpson]

Ihave been using aldara for 2 weeks

for DSAP, arms very sore,hope after 6
weeks will see some improvement.

[Judy Robinson]

After 2 weeks (6Applications) of Aldara I stopped treatment. The itching and burning were bad enough; but the smelly ooze and bleeding were just too much. After the first two applications I had aching knees and have since also noticed being stiffer than normal. The treatment area was on my chest. I saw my Dermatologist today and said I'll take freezing any day over this. He did tell me that some other patients had discontinued this also.

[Brenda Grand]

I have been using Aldara cream for 2 1/2 weeks now twice a week for pre cancerous marks on my chest and yes i had read about all the side effects before trying it but what I would like to know is...How long does it take for all of this burning and itching and scabbing to go away???its driving me nuts and I have a perscription for 2 months of usage. I am just waondering what hapens after you stop? How long till all of this clears up?

[brenda Bartenstein]

Hi Brenda, I have just finished 8 weeks. Crazy pain!!! Im now on a rest 3 weeks and have to go for it again. Another 2 months all over face. Look and feel like death. I can't believe it is so strong, I.m trying to stay up beat and vigiliant. Good luck! I truely wish there was more dialoge on this painful process, Bye, Brenda

[Kitty]

I was put on Aldara two weeks ago for PM and have had the itching, ulceration, bleeding, etc. What worries me is ONE report that Aldara applied to open sore goes straight to the bloodstream and affects your immune system. I have only done this twice and now I'm scared to death. Is this just a horror store and an overexcited website, or should I be panicking?
I did a giant computer search from the AMA to the Derm sites and found nothing to back this scary report up. Please send me some reassurance; I don't need to be any more frightened. Thanks to all who reply, I appreciate it.

[June_Watkins_UK]

I was prescribed Aldara 2 weeks ago. I first developed flu after a few days of usage (could have been co-incidence). The site of my basal cell carinoma (on my waistline) has now become very inflamed and developed small yellow sores on top of the inflamed area.
I've just done some research on the web and I am definitely going to stop using this cream. Don't think I should have been prescribed it in the first place, after having seen the data on the Web. I'm prnting some of the stuff and taking it to my consultant in the hope that he will follow it up and not prescribe it in the future.

[Peter]

Kitty, If you already have the ulceration....STOP NOW!...it only gets worse. I only used Aldara for 7 days...and my face and lips are a horrific mess. I recommend you see a specialist who can help you address the damage it has done to your immune system before any further damage is done. For some Aldara may be the answer...however, it is far too dangerous for the rest of us....There needs to be research done on this drug to test the reactivity to an individual before it is prescribed and used with devastating results like I have experienced.

Kitty wrote:

I was put on Aldara two weeks ago for PM and have had the itching, ulceration, bleeding, etc. What worries me is ONE report that Aldara applied to open sore goes straight to the bloodstream and affects your immune system. I have only done this twice and now I'm scared to death. Is this just a horror store and an overexcited website, or should I be panicking?
I did a giant computer search from the AMA to the Derm sites and found nothing to back this scary report up. Please send me some reassurance; I don't need to be any more frightened. Thanks to all who reply, I appreciate it.

[Kmd26]

I used aldara for 10 weeks and it about killed me. I had terrible flu like symptoms and fatigue.The headaches were awful. I had to discontinue. The dermatologist i was seeing did not care that it was causing me these symptoms he said that meant it was working. Well it may have been working but it was really taking me down. Im going to see a new dermatologist.

[Richard]

I've used Aldara off and on for BCC on my face and scalp since 2003. Previously I had two surgeries - one was Moh's surgery, but the BCCs continued, even in the original places. The skin reactions have always been severe and horrific, but I've noticed that each time I've applied it, there are large areas previously treated that have no reaction anymore to the cream, meaning the cancer is finally gone. I have too many BCCs to have surgery for them all - I would be horribly disfigured. Using Aldara, my skin retuns to normal after healing, and looks great, with no scarring, although it IS difficult to convince myself each time I've had these severe skin reactions that I will not have scarring. I had large scars from previous surgeries, but they were nearly completely diminished when I received microdermabrasion treatments. The same as others have stated, I become a hermit during the fourth through sixth week of treatment, but for me Aldara is worth the results. While Aldara is far too expensive, it's still cheaper than surgery, and for me, the results are much better than surgery.

[Lisa]

My dermatologist prescribed Aldara for the AK on my nose (the spot comes and goes; worse at times than others; bleeds sometimes). He suggested I use it on half my face since I may have other spots forming. I've used this only twice. But, now I'm reading reports that sound pretty scary. Is it a coincidence that I've gotten a migraine each time I've used it?

[Stuart]

I can only praise the cream as ithas removed the BCC on my leg, I now only have a shadow where the lesion was, however my dermatologist has recommended the treatment for a further 8 weeks just in case there is any activity.....

[Anne]

Richard wrote:

I've used Aldara off and on for BCC on my face and scalp since 2003. Previously I had two surgeries - one was Moh's surgery, but the BCCs continued, even in the original places. The skin reactions have always been severe and horrific, but I've noticed that each time I've applied it, there are large areas previously treated that have no reaction anymore to the cream, meaning the cancer is finally gone. I have too many BCCs to have surgery for them all - I would be horribly disfigured. Using Aldara, my skin retuns to normal after healing, and looks great, with no scarring, although it IS difficult to convince myself each time I've had these severe skin reactions that I will not have scarring. I had large scars from previous surgeries, but they were nearly completely diminished when I received microdermabrasion treatments. The same as others have stated, I become a hermit during the fourth through sixth week of treatment, but for me Aldara is worth the results. While Aldara is far too expensive, it's still cheaper than surgery, and for me, the results are much better than surgery.

Thanks Richard for your sharing. I too have multiple BCC on my nose/ cheek and am on week 7 of Aldara. Scabbing looks terrible but I have faith that it will get better. I don't think I can handle another surgery. I am only 34 years old. Does the arease slowly go away even if currently using Aldara or do you find they only go away when you stop?

[Audrey]

I have used Aldara for several facial BCC's and apart from ugly scabbing it removed the spot and my skin cleared up beautifully with a bit of Aloe Vera application. I have nothing but praise for the stuff. How disheartening to hear that it hasn't been beneficial for others.

[Jean]

I used aldara crem on a bcc on the back of my neck 15 months ago and it was sore but has all gone and looks completely normal. My Doctor is amazed. I used it mon, wed,and fri night for 6 weeks. I am now about to use it on an AK on my face so will post how I get on with that.

[Karen Huntington NY]

My dermatologist prescribed aldara for face. He said I should use it on my entire face, as I have sun damage and at one point several years ago had precancer under my eye. After using it twice, I now have a sore throat and am extremely tired. However, my throat is full of puss and I am not sure that is the type of sore throat they are referring to when listing side effects. Maybe it is just a coincidence. Can anyone clarify this for me?

[Richard]

Would you please help me with my case. I have a nasal papilloma and a doctor precribed me aldara. I'm investigating before using this cream and I appreciate any help.

Thanks

[Edward]

I was recently prescribed Aldara for genital warts. I'm male and received a wart acid treatment about two weeks before my first Aldara application. Since my first application I have been suffering from sever flu like symptoms (sever headaches, fatigue, and diarrhea) do to a possible overdose even though I applied very little to three small warts. From what I've read so far, I believe my server flu like symptoms are do to the possible absorption of Aldara into blood stream near weakened skin as a result from the acid treatment. All of this during my first week of treatment. In addition, my doctor did not recommend when I should start applying Aldara or informed me of the possible sever symptoms (just itching, redness, and slight burning). Please reconsider applying Aldara near any broken or compromised skin! I wish I read this before:

Luckily, some dermatologists recognize the risk posed by Aldara, especially when it is applied to an open lesion, which then allows the drug to easily access the bloodstream. "In my opinion, based on my observations and research, Aldara should be classified as criminally dangerous material if used on any open or potentially open skin area," says prominent cancer specialist Dr. Michael Tait.

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