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What Plant Is Aldara Derived From?

Manufactured by 3M Pharmaceuticals, Aldara is currently FDA-approved for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis (scaly skin lesions), external genital warts and a type of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma. Its diverse ingredients vary in their origins.

  1. Drug Class

    • Aldara (generic name imiquinod) is an immunomodulator, that is, a drug that modifies the immune system's response to certain disease agents. Aldara has antiviral and anti-tumor activity, according to Tocris Bioscience.

    Active Ingredient

    • The active ingredient in Aldara is imiquimod. According to Rx List, the chemical structure of imiquimod is 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine.

    Chemical Synthesis

    • The National Cancer Institute defines Aldara (imiquimod) as a synthetic agent. This means that imiquimod itself is not derived from plants, but rather from laboratory synthesis.

    Inactive Ingredients

    • According to Rx List, Aldara contains imiquimod in a cream base consisting of: isostearic acid, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, white petrolatum, polysorbate 60, sorbitan monostearate, glycerin, xanthan gum, purified water, benzyl alcohol, methylparaben and propylparaben.

    Inactive Ingredients with Possible Natural Origin

    • According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the alcohols listed as inactive ingredients in Aldara can be recovered from volatile oils of plants (e.g., jasmine), or animal and vegetable fats. Also, xanthan gum results from sugar fermentation, while soapmaking from animal and vegetable fats yields glycerin as a by-product.

    Warnings

    • Rx List warns that Aldara Cream commonly produces adverse effects, and is not for use in the eye, mouth or vagina.

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