Pricing
Prices are indicative MRP and may vary by pharmacy. Trend compares against the last recorded price.
All price changes →Indications & Uses
Iminod cream is used on the skin to treat external genital and perianal warts in adults. It is also used for small superficial basal cell carcinomas in adults, as well as clinically typical, nonhyperkeratotic, nonhypertrophic actinic keratoses on the face or scalp in immunocompetent adults, in cases where the size or number of lesions limits the effectiveness or acceptability of cryotherapy and other topical treatments are either contraindicated or less suitable.
Pharmacology
Imiquimod is a toll-like receptor-7 agonist that strengthens both the innate and acquired immune response. It triggers the production of numerous compounds, including interferon-alpha (IFN-α), interleukin-1, -6, -8, -10, and -12, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), stimulates natural killer cells, and encourages B-cells to multiply. It also activates Langerhans cells and prompts them to migrate to the regional lymph nodes. Imiquimod stimulates TH-1 cells to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-g), which in turn can activate cytotoxic T lymphocytes. These cells provide long-term immune memory, offering future protection against the virus or tumor encountered before.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
External genital warts in adults
Imiquimod cream is applied 3 times per week, for example Monday, Wednesday and Friday, or Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Put it on before normal sleeping hours and leave it on the skin for 6 to 10 hours. Treatment continues until the visible genital or perianal warts have cleared, or for a maximum of 16 weeks per episode of warts.
Apply a thin layer to the clean wart area and rub it in until the cream vanishes. Apply only to the affected areas and avoid any application on internal surfaces. Don't shower or bathe during the 6 to 10 hour period. After that, the cream must be washed off with mild soap and water. Too much cream, or leaving it on the skin for too long, may cause a severe application site reaction. One single use sachet covers a wart area of 20 cm2 (approx. 3 inches2). Once a sachet is opened it should not be re-used. Wash hands carefully before and after applying the cream. Uncircumcised males treating warts under the foreskin should retract the foreskin and wash the area daily.
Superficial basal cell carcinoma in adults
Apply Imiquimod cream for 6 weeks, 5 times per week (for example Monday to Friday), before normal sleeping hours, and leave it on the skin for approximately 8 hours. Before applying, wash the treatment area with mild soap and water and dry it thoroughly. Use enough cream to cover the treatment area, including one centimetre of skin around the tumour, and rub it in until it vanishes. Avoid showering and bathing during the 8 hours. After that, the cream must be washed off with mild soap and water. Opened sachets should not be re-used. Wash hands carefully before and after application.
The response of the treated tumour should be assessed 12 weeks after treatment ends. If the response is incomplete, a different therapy should be used. If the local skin reaction causes too much discomfort, or if infection is seen at the treatment site, a rest period of several days may be taken. In the case of infection, other appropriate measures should also be taken.
Actinic keratosis in adults
Treatment should be started and monitored by a physician. Imiquimod cream is applied 3 times per week (for example Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for four weeks, before normal sleeping hours, and left on the skin for approximately 8 hours. Apply enough cream to cover the treatment area. After a 4-week treatment-free period, clearance of the actinic keratosis should be assessed. If any lesions remain, treatment is repeated for another four weeks. Dosing should be interrupted if intense local inflammatory reactions occur or if infection is seen at the treatment site, and in the case of infection other appropriate measures should be taken. Missed doses or rest periods should not stretch any treatment period beyond 4 weeks.
If the area is not completely clear at a follow-up examination about 8 weeks after the last 4-week course, one more 4-week course of Imiquimod may be considered. If the lesions respond poorly to Imiquimod, a different therapy is recommended. Lesions that clear after one or two courses and then come back can be treated again with one or two further courses of Imiquimod cream, after a pause of at least 12 weeks.
Before applying, wash the treatment area with mild soap and water and dry it thoroughly. Cover the treatment area with enough cream, including one centimetre of skin around the tumour, and rub it in until it vanishes. Apply before normal sleeping hours and leave on for approximately 8 hours, avoiding showering and bathing in that time. Then wash the cream off with mild soap and water. Opened sachets should not be re-used. Wash hands carefully before and after application.
Information applicable to all indications
If a dose is missed, apply the cream as soon as you remember, then carry on with the regular schedule. The cream should not be applied more than once a day.
Side Effects
Reported side effects include pustules, genital candidiasis, vaginitis, bacterial infection, fungal infection, upper respiratory tract infection, vulvitis, rhinitis, influenza, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, insomnia, depression, irritability, headache, tingling or numbness, dizziness, migraine, drowsiness, conjunctival irritation, eyelid swelling, tinnitus, flushing, sore throat, nasal congestion, throat pain, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, rectal disorder, rectal tenesmus, dry mouth, itching, folliculitis, red rash, eczema, rash, increased sweating, urticaria, redness, facial swelling, skin ulcer, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, pain in the limbs, painful urination, genital pain in males, penile disorder, painful intercourse, erectile dysfunction, uterovaginal prolapse, vaginal pain, vaginal atrophy, and vulval disorder. General and application-site reactions have also been reported, such as itching, pain, burning, irritation, redness, reaction, bleeding, papules, rash, inflammation, weakness, malaise, chills, lethargy, discomfort, fatigue, discharge, swelling, scarring, ulcer, blistering, warmth, and fever. Reports have been received of localised loss or darkening of skin colour following use of Iminod cream. Clinical studies investigating the use of Iminod for treating actinic keratosis found hair loss at the treatment site or surrounding area in 0.4% of patients. Reductions in haemoglobin, white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count and platelets have been observed in clinical trials.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Do not use if you are allergic to imiquimod or any of its other ingredients.
Contraindications
Imiquimod cream should not be used by anyone who is hypersensitive to imiquimod or to any of the other ingredients in the cream.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Use in Pregnancy: Category B1. No human studies are available on the use of Imiquimod cream during pregnancy, so it should only be used if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the unborn baby. Similarly, no human studies are available on its use during breastfeeding, so it should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the newborn baby.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Use in Special Populations
Imiquimod cream is not recommended for children below the age of 12 years. In elderly patients, the cream is recommended for use. As for driving and using machinery, it is unlikely to have any effect on your ability to do either.
Overdose
Imiquimod cream is applied to the skin, and very little of it is absorbed through the skin, so an overdose affecting the whole body is unlikely. If too much cream is used again and again, though, severe skin reactions at the site can result. If someone swallows it by accident, a single dose of 200 mg Imiquimod (about the content of 16 sachets) could cause nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle pain and fever. The most serious problem reported after repeated oral doses of 200 mg or more was low blood pressure (hypotension), which settled after fluids were given by mouth or into a vein.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Imiquimod in a cool, dry place away from light, at 4°-25°C.
Common questions about Imiclara 5%
What is Imiclara 5% Cream?
Imiclara 5% Cream is a medicine that contains Imiquimod. It is made by Unimed Unihealth Pharmaceuticals Ltd. It belongs to the Immunosuppressant group of medicines.
What is Imiclara used for?
Iminod cream is used on the skin to treat external genital and perianal warts in adults. It is also used for small superficial basal cell carcinomas in adults, as well as clinically typical, nonhyperkeratotic, nonhypertrophic actinic keratoses on the face or scalp in immunocompetent adults, in cases where the size or number of lesions limits the effectiveness or acceptability of cryotherapy and other topical treatments are either contraindicated or less suitable.
What are the side effects of Imiclara?
Reported side effects include pustules, genital candidiasis, vaginitis, bacterial infection, fungal infection, upper respiratory tract infection, vulvitis, rhinitis, influenza, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, insomnia, depression, irritability, headache, tingling or numbness, dizziness, migraine, drowsiness, conjunctival irritation, eyelid swelling, tinnitus, flushing, sore throat, nasal congestion, throat pain, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, rectal disorder, rectal tenesmus, dry mouth, itching, folliculitis, red rash, eczema, rash, increased sweating, urticaria, redness, facial swelling, skin ulcer, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, pain in the limbs, painful urination, genital pain in males, penile disorder, painful intercourse, erectile dysfunction, uterovaginal prolapse, vaginal pain, vaginal atrophy, and vulval disorder. General and application-site reactions have also been reported, such as itching, pain, burning, irritation, redness, reaction, bleeding, papules, rash, inflammation, weakness, malaise, chills, lethargy, discomfort, fatigue, discharge, swelling, scarring, ulcer, blistering, warmth, and fever.
Can I take Imiclara during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Use in Pregnancy: Category B1. No human studies are available on the use of Imiquimod cream during pregnancy, so it should only be used if the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the unborn baby. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Imiclara?
Imiquimod cream is applied to the skin, and very little of it is absorbed through the skin, so an overdose affecting the whole body is unlikely. If too much cream is used again and again, though, severe skin reactions at the site can result. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Imiclara?
Keep Imiquimod in a cool, dry place away from light, at 4°-25°C.
Do I need a prescription for Imiclara?
Imiclara is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.