The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: I just finished the second phase of two weeks on Zyclara. It is doing its job for sure. Alot of open sores at the surface. Doctor put me on antibiotics as I have some infection going on. Also, using a antibiotic topical cream to help. It is painful but worth the time going through this as I have heard good results. I have had the Mohls surgery and also Efudex. Hope this clears it up for good.
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: I am on week 5. I first used it on my arms with no result. So I decided to do my forehead. A few spots came out. Now I'm doing my chest area...major sun damage! I'm not going to lie, it itches and burns. If all these spots are pre-cancer cells, then its definitely worth a few weeks of pain and discomfort! I just told my co-workers what I was doing so I didn't feel the need to "cover-up". Actually feels better not to have clothes rub on it. I take Advil for the pain. If only I could go back in time and tell myself to get out of the tanning beds, its not worth it!
Review by AblesChapin (taken for less than 1 month):
User Rating:
7.0
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: Have used this for one week but began to have serious side-effects including hives all over my back, severe diarrhea, terrible cold/flu, headache, joint soreness. I do have an autoimmune disorder (endometriosis and Raynaund's) and the medication has warnings for people with autoimmune disorders so that may be why I am having such an adverse reaction. Will see doctor tomorrow to learn if I should switch to Efudex maybe but will probably look into the genetic testing for DPD before I start that one.
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: After I viewed some web face pics of others, I felt better about my treatment because this medicine will tear your face up. It was a lot of trouble explaining to most I came in contact with the treatment plan, and the looks on their faces were priceless. But, after a couple of months I know of 3 more people who also chose the treatment after seeing the results. One of them is a doctor and this is his statement to me, "you didn't tell me about the horrible flu symptoms, " for which I replied, "you didn't ask."
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: I took Zyclara for the first time a year ago at the age of 34 after my doctor froze off 3 actinic keratosis. Actinic keratosis on my nose is back, also I still have red spots where lesions were during the initial treatment. Doctor says I need another round to finish off the damage and as a last best hope to avoid having to surgically remove the spot on my nose. I have fair skin and tons of sun damage (including 2nd degree burns over 20% of my body). My doctor initially recommended that I take 2 months off for the treatment, this time I will take her advice! I found the treatment too intense to work through due to pain and fatigue. Moisturizing the area with petroleum jelly and a topical anesthetic and antimicrobial (neosporin or polysporin) helped a lot!
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: Took for 9 days and developed terrible flu like symptoms -- doctor said to stop. Still having symptoms several days later. The medicine did bring out keratosis spots but not worth the side effects.
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: My bald head, forehead, and face have the actinic keratosis spots to be treated. I tried one laser peel and it did well for about 6 months. It was painful and the recovery was as well. I tried Efudex cream several times and had some success. I am on the Zyclara now for 7 days with just some itching, redness and minor swelling. I made the mistake of being in the sun for 5 hours on the sixth day and had to skip the treatment one night due to some pain. Some sores have began to appear like old zits. It wont be pretty for several weeks but it should be worth it to avoid cancer.
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: I will give this medicine a higher rating perhaps when I finish the treatment. At this point (day 5 in the first round), I have muscle pain, lethargy and a dull headache. I feel like I have a mild virus. I have eruptions - red, itchy bumps - but that doesn't bother me as it means the medicines is working and that's exactly what I want. It will be worth it to be rid of precancerous cells on my forehead and hands. But there are some side effects and they seem to vary person to person. For me they are manageable.
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Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: I am on the last three days of the 2nd two week application step. I'm using on my forehead and cheeks and what a mess. I'm covered in red itchy weeping spots and blotches. I have nausea but that's the price you pay for baking in the sun as a kid. I'm 62. This medicine seems to work and if you don't mind looking like your face caught fire for a few weeks to maybe save your life then go for it.
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Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: Yesterday was Day 14 of my Zyclara treatment. Using it on my forehead where there was a previous basal cell, and on my chest where I currently have a basal cell. I decided to do the whole top of my chest. Wow, I have many actinic keratosis. It's really scary. No real bad side effects other than the swelling and rawness on my chest. Forehead, found 1 AK, appears to be working. I have been experiencing some lower back pain, as I did when I used the Carac Cream. Wondering if this is a side effect or not? I hope this works! Will be doing Carac again in the winter on my cheeks.
Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: I've been using Zyclara for 7 days. I have loss of appetite, I've lost 5 lbs already. I feel a little nausea, fatigue, and pain and itching. All of which make me feel like hibernating, but I can't, I have to work! People are beginning to question the skin eruptions and weight loss. I hope this will be worth it. I've tried all other forms of removing basal and squamous from my body including Mohse surgery, but they always reappear over the scar tissue. I have not tried radiation. I hope that Zyclara is going to be the answer for me.
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Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: I am on my 7th day of treatment and have not experienced any of the side effects, except for the skin irritation where the AK's are prevalent.
17 users found this comment helpful.
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Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: After my initial 9 days of Zyclara treatment I have had to stop using it. The side effects are intense to the point of debilitating.
23 users found this comment helpful.
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Zyclara (imiquimod) for Actinic Keratosis: I have used Zyclara for 10 days I have all of the side effects except for the lymphadenopathy. The side effects began on the 8th day of usage. I am taking myself off the drug for at least two days and will stay on the schedule of 2 weeks of medication, 2 weeks off, and 2 weeks back on. I was warned by my doctor that I might need a rest from the medication and I was thinking it was because of the sores it creates, but it is that and everything else.
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