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

[Richard]

Carol,

I take it you didn't read all my posts. I used it thru the 6 weeks as prescribed every time. I had a delayed reaction to this medicine that you like every time. Because it didn't go crazy on me when I used it we never put it together that it was this. I used this stuff 5 different times for 6 weeks every time. What you experienced is that your immune system did not react like every ones on here. That is the point is being made about this drug. The Dermatoligist don't check into what effect this will have on a persons immune system they are just concerned about the BCC or AK. I also want you to know I fired my Derm and those were the words I used because he should have caught the adverse effects I had the second time. So Carol be appreciative that you had fine reaction but understand that how or what you went thru another person may not be as lucky and have a lifetime of altered behavior due to this drug.

[Richard]

Carol,

I take it you didn't read all my posts. I used it thru the 6 weeks as prescribed every time. I had a delayed reaction to this medicine that you like every time. Because it didn't go crazy on me when I used it we never put it together that it was this. I used this stuff 5 different times for 6 weeks every time. What you experienced is that your immune system did not react like every ones on here. That is the point is being made about this drug. The Dermatoligist don't check into what effect this will have on a persons immune system they are just concerned about the BCC or AK. This drug should be under the supervision of a Neuro or Rhuma Doctor. I also want you to know I fired my Derm and those were the words I used because he should have caught the adverse effects I had the second time. So Carol be appreciative that you had fine reaction but understand that how or what you went thru another person may not be as lucky and have a lifetime of altered behavior due to this drug.

[sarah]

well, i am positively terrified after reading this post.

my story: i was diagnosed with hpv warts last weds. this in itself freaked me out to the point that i think i possibly gave myself an outbreak of shingles on my ankle.. only i didnt know i had shingles at the time.

anyway, the dr gave me aldara for the genital warts. i didnt get the prescription filled until the next day and started that friday night by putting (in hind sight stupidly) the whole packet on the area. woke up the next morning feeling fine- then suddenly was overcome with exhaustion and a throbbing headache. went to sleep for a few hours and woke up with joints hurting too, slight nausea too. took some aspirin. felt a bit better the next day. then this monday i had mild head ache and later on felt a wave of nausea during my class (i'm in grad school).
i put the cream on again for a second time this evening, then came across this message board and immediately took a shower to wash off the cream.

ALL THIS TIME i thought it was a flu or maybe the shingles... in reality it was this fucking medicine!!!

i am truly terrified that i have caused permanent damage. i cant believe i put the whole packet on that night, my dr didnt mention anything about using it sparingly, just to use it on the area.

ive been feeling slightly dizzy and burping since i took this stuff. i also feel more irritable and kind of confused/memory loss. someone for the love of all that is holy - PLEASE tell me these side effects go away. i really think i gave myself an over dose on this medicine with just ONE dose.

someone please reply, i am so terrified. i just turned 26 and i'm in grad school. i cannot get sick, i just cant!

[Katie]

Hi Sarah,
Since you used Aldara only once, your side effects should go away. Your body was just getting itself worked up so it could kill off the bad cells. Drink lots of water to try to flush out your system. Also try to avoid caffeine because Aldara increases anxiety in some people.

[Lisa]

Sarah, Don't panic...you used it once, and should be fine. None of us feel like we could get sick either, but unfortunatley that is what has happened to many of us. It tragic and unfair. This was a time in my life I was looking forward to (Im now 49) I have my youngest just turning 16. I have grandkids arriving into this World. Here I am now, suddenly sick after Aldara use. It's a very unpredictable drug. People..please reconsider using this. I have a friends daughter who is a pharmacist who told me this drug is under investigation by the FDA, and she doesn't trust this drug and would not use it...now doesn't that tell you something. "Of note- there are currently 19 meds the FDA is looking at under a microscope due to potential safety issues-- aldara is on this list because of painful urination " this was her exact quote.https://www.accessdata.f da.gov/scripts/medwatch/ she also told me to report it to the FDA, which I already previously did...above is the website. They didn't seem to care though, but please anyone having an adverse reaction please take the time to file a report, and save it for your records. This is the only way something will be done to stop this drug....if enough people stand up and speak out. The only good thing that came out of the use of ALdara is that I have met some wonderful people who have been struck down by this drug. Hello to Sylvia, Mandi, Richard, and Topsy. Hang in there!

[robin]

I was recently prescribed alavara for precancerous cells on my leg/shin area. Having used Efudex cream before, i am no stranger to the irritation ON SIGHT of these types of creams.
However, I have started to have allergic reactions where my lips are peeling and skin on face is red and feels itchy and tight and for the life of me, i can't figure out why.....nothing has changed in my house but the alavara cream. symptoms appreared approximately 1 1/2 weeks - 2 weeks into use (prescription is for application three times per week for one month).
Has anyone else experienced this type of irritation and itching away from the sight that the medication is actually applied to?
Please let me know and i appreciate any and all feedback. I feel like i'm losing my mind and want to peel my own skin off myself (not the infected area mind you....).
thanks.

[sylvia]

Robin, please read my previous posts.My problems started with very sensitive skin, and my skin peeled from the beginning. I was given Aldara intravaginally (off label) for 6 weeks. Its been 9 months since I stopped the treatments and I am still very sick. I am not saying the same is going to happen to you, but I urge you to see your doctor. Good luck.

[Sheila]

I was prescribed Aldara 5% after a BCC diagnosis a couple of weeks ago. A client of mine,and trusted friend, told me that she and both of her daughters used it with wonderful results. They had previously had surgeries done to remove basil cell carcinomas but did not want the scarring that resulted. One of the girls is a model. After reading these comments, I must admit, i'm a little leery to use this obviously potent cream, even though my bcc is behind my ear. Thank you for any comments and help. I might add that a well known dermatologist prescribed it for my client. Thanks, sheila in Mississippi

[Katie]

Robin,
Since you are experiencing itching and burning in your face, which is not where you are applying Aldara, I would say you are having an allergic reaction to Aldara. I recommend calling your dr and stop using Aldara immediately.

[Katie]

Sheila,
Since your spot is behind your ear, I would be worried about Aldara being used so close to your brain. A scar behind the ear would be no big deal, so I recommend Mohs surgery instead of using Aldara.

[Lisa]

Sheila, Get the surgery...why risk it. I used it on my scalp, and have all sort of Neuro symptoms. I think Katie is right..it's too close in proximity to the brain. Doctors say it's safe...I don't believe it. I've been living a nightmare for 1 year now post aldara.

[Sharon]

I was prescribed aldara to be uded 3 times a week for sun damage on my upper lip.After 1st dose,I had a fever,terrible headache,extreme fatigue,nausea,blue fingernails.I called and tried to talk to the dermatologist but could only get through to nurse.Was told that the doctor has been prescribing aldara to at least 30 patients a day for 17 years with none of these side effects and I should see primary care physician for flu.I don't have the flu,he just doesn't want to acknowledge that symptoms are caused by the aldara.FEEL AWFUL.

[Sylvia]

Sharon wrote:

I was prescribed aldara to be uded 3 times a week for sun damage on my upper lip.After 1st dose,I had a fever,terrible headache,extreme fatigue,nausea,blue fingernails.I called and tried to talk to the dermatologist but could only get through to nurse.Was told that the doctor has been prescribing aldara to at least 30 patients a day for 17 years with none of these side effects and I should see primary care physician for flu.I don't have the flu,he just doesn't want to acknowledge that symptoms are caused by the aldara.FEEL AWFUL.

Sharon, please dont believe your dr's nurse. I did the same thing, I had the same symptoms and called to report them. I was told the same thing, go to dr for flu, it was not aldara. I DID go to dr for flu, and did not have it, I had ALDARA side effects. That was 9 months ago, and I am still very sick. My headaches turned to seizures, my nausea never stopped, I can no longer absorb vitamins from food, I am on B12 shots for the rest of my life, I have severe neuropathy in my legs, feet, skin, that started with aldara treatments, that NEVER went away. My medicine prescribed to help me recover from, and co-exist with the aldara damage costs over $1000 a month. Please dont do like me, and just believe what the nurse said and continue treatments. If I had gotten a second opinion sooner, maybe I wouldnt be so sick now. You did the right thing by calling your doctor, you know how you feel better than they do, follow your instincts and check it out. Good luck.

[Sylvia]

umm, i can't figure out why a different state shows up when I post. I am from Missouri, not NE or IA

[Bob]

After using five of the twelve applications of Aldara on my face for skin cancer, my face was so cover with dark brown scales that it was scary. After the ninth application I had an allergic reaction to the medication and was in the emergency room for six hours with IV's and other medications. My doctor told me that it was a simple case of having sensitive skin. I think it was a simple case of the wrong medication for my condition. It took me three weeks to recover from my weakened condition.

[mandi]

HI, good to see everyone is still hard at work with helping people to understand the problems from using Aldara cream. Great. and thanks for keeping in there. I have been feeling really sick from the Protocol to try and treat the side effects I am left with from using Aldara 8-9 years ago now. I didn't complete the treatment. I used it twice and was so ill I was in hospital for 6 weeks fighting for my life with Autoimmune Pancreatitis..unknown origin.( at that time. My Derm visited me in hospital about 4 years ago and told me that he suspected Aldara had created all my health problems...lucky I have good and honest Docs helping me)) Then in bed for 8 months unable to move due to pain in my muscles and joints..headaches, flu symptoms 24/7, and every part of my body in crisis...unable to eat due to chronic and acute pancreatits. I was advised to cease using aldara until the severe flu like symptoms subsided....still waiting after 8-9 years.
For anyone who is interested the treatment protocol i am on is really tough. Spending most of my day on the lounge and 2 hours each pm in bed... I am really struggling and my kidneys are battling as well. we have dropped the meds down to such a small quantity, but I am still feeeling tragic. I trust my Doc and am going to keep going. If this was not having an effect then We know it wouldn't be working..so the effect is correct...just really difficult to live with 24 hrs a day. Almost back onto a liquid diet due to GIT symptoms. If anyone wants detail you can email me. We have just put our house on the market so things are crazy. trying to see if we can pay back some debt...it is expensive being sick for this long. Good to hear that everyone is still in the game...it must be only wonderful people with good hearts and souls that get Aldara poisoning!!It would be much easier for all of us that are fighting every day to just sit at home in misery and isolation...it is a great effort to keep posting here and helping people who are well..trying to prevent more damaged bodies. You are superstars in my opinion. Really great people. Hope your days are ok. lots of love ,mandi...keep in touch if you can. It gets me thru the day knowing that at the end of this treatment protocol, i will have an answer for all of us...whether this can help us to heal or not.Not giving up until I know for sure...I am keeping a daily journel of symptoms and treatments so we will know what happened to me along the way...I am hoping it will act as a guide for anyone who wants to follow...if it works for me that is. I am not giving up and so good to see there are many brave people here.

[mandi]

I wish no one else was affected by this damned medication, but having said that I am so grateful to have the support from everyone here...it confirms to all of us who are so disabled from this drug, that it has been caused by Aldara...we all seem to suffer so many similar symptoms...love the Tinnitus! I have had it for so long that it starts to feel like normal. One of my CFS friends tells me that her tinnitus is like cicadas in her ears when she is having a symptom flare...I have a similar effect with the Tinnitus...much worse when the symptoms are crazier...anyone else notice this?Take care.

[jimmy]

just want to continue reporting the progress.

After 5 weeks (3x a week) my skin in certain areas got red, and very itchy. The Moluscum seems to be under controlled. Most big ones disappeared, and small ones do not grow bigger. I now only apply it on non-red area and small bumps to prevent the Moluscum from apprearing again. I feel lucky. Tomorow I am going to see my doctor if I could stop using it. He recommends using it for 12 weeks which I think is too long!

[Jughead]

Hi there everyone,

I've been using Aldara for 3 weeks now, and apart from a little redness, I haven't had any side effects whatsoever. My dad has also used it off and on for a few years and he's been fine also. Just thought you might like to know not everyone gets the issues many people are describing here.

[Bryon]

Four nights I applied Aldara to a quarter sized spot on my face. After the first night the skin was red and sore. After the second night the skin was oozing and red and sore. After the third night the skin was begining to ulcer. After the fourth night the skin was hamburger, so I discontinued application of Aldara. However, after the next two days with no Aldara the sore looked like a shotgun wound and was bleeding. I will not apply any more Aldara until the skin heals because I don't want this drug going into my blood-stream in large quantities.