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What Is Imiquimod?

Imiquimod is a prescription medication with several different uses. It is a topical medicine that is used to treat actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis is a skin condition that is precancerous. It is also used to treat superficial basal cell carcinoma, which is a cancerous condition (skin cancer). It treats a wide assortment of skin-related diseases. It is an immune response modifier that has a variety of applications.

  1. Mild Side Effects

    • The majority of medications out there have some side effects. Though many people who use Imiquimod do not experience any side effects, there have been reported instances of backache, tenderness where the cream was applied, mild ache, headache, burning sensation, itchiness, little sores or some drainage where the cream was applied, swelling, scabbing, flaking and redness. In general, these side effects are mild.

    Severe Side Effects

    • There are some severe side effects associated with using Imiquimod as well. In cases of serious side effects, medical attention should be sought immediately. Severe Imiquimod side effects include sore throat, chills, fever, heart palpitations, muscle ache, chest ache, signs of allergic reaction (such as rash, chest tightness, having a hard time breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue and face, and itchiness), nausea, weakness, bleeding or blisters where the cream was applied, having difficulty urinating, vaginal swelling or pain and swelling of the lymph glands.

    Components

    • Every gram of Imiquimod consists of 10 mg of the medication in a vanishing cream foundation. The cream base is composed of cetyl alcohol, isostearic acid, petrolatum (white), polysorbate 60, xantham gum, water (purified), methylparaben, glycerin, sorbitan monostearate, stearyl alcohol, propylparaben and benzyl alcohol. The vanishing cream is an off-white color.

    Function

    • The way Imiquimod functions is that it focuses on the stimulation of the nerve system. It stimulates the nerve system, resulting in the nerve system releasing chemicals called cytokines. Cytokines are crucial for protecting the body against viruses and killing cancerous cells.

    Viral Infections

    • Imiquimod is also commonly used for dealing with viral infections, especially condyloma warts. It also has an application for getting rid of common warts (this only works if the common wart has already been thinned down somewhat) and plane warts. Imiquimod also can help eliminate vitiligo, keloid scars and granuloma annulare.

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