Aldara and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Fre...
• April 5, 2011

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was extremely hesitant to use this medicine because of the price and because I had read horror stories about it online. But I was desperate because of unsightly warts, so I took the plunge. I made sure to apply with a magnification mirror and a q-tip. I can't stress enough how important it was to ONLY apply it exactly where the warts were. My side effects included swelling and itching around the affected area and some fatigue/aches. After using it 4 times, my warts were gone. Worth it worth it worth it. Just be careful not to put it on any healthy skin."

• Sam...
• May 22, 2020

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "After being perfectly healthy my entire life, used Aldara cream for 10 days on BC on chest. I thought it would be least invasive. After developing a large 'croissant' size growth of black on my chest, worsening fatigue, migraine, severe diarrhea, low-grade fevers, a red rash over arms and legs, a large tennis ball size red swollen growth on my shoulder, and dizziness, I was admitted to the hospital. At this point, I was told later, near death. I spent 3 days in isolation, seen by an infectious disease specialist, internal medicine, gastroenterologist. Dx: recurrent C-diff bowel infection-Colitis, MRSA infection, severe anemia. Received 2 blood transfusions, iron, upper scope of GI tract, MRI of brain, chest X-ray, multiple blood workups. Anemic blood level of 7 (normal blood level is 14). Weight loss of 20 pounds. This drug was SYSTEMIC in my body and nearly ended my life. Do NOT take the medication. My new dermatologist stated he will never prescribe it again after my experience."

• Shi...
• March 13, 2018

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I had BCC on my nose. I had been misdiagnosed, and by the time a biopsy was done, the surgeon said he could do Mohs surgery, but it would require removing a thumbnail-sized portion of my nose, using parts of my ear to reconstruct the nose, and also skin grafts. He offered the Aldara option to shrink the tumor. He said that the cream would turn my nose red. I applied the Aldara cream every night for 6 weeks as directed. It was absolutely far more than turning my nose red: fatigue, headaches, a bright red nose that looked as though my nose was one big cold sore. I went into quarantine for six weeks. At times I felt I could not continue. Somehow I did. I wish there were a place to post pictures of my nose during Aldara treatment. I went back for the Mohs surgery. It only took two scrapings to remove cancer. I would choose the Aldara option should I ever be given the choice. It was miserable, but I would still take it over the surgery option."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2020

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I treated several areas of my face with Aldara in 2007. My reaction was so severe after 10 days of use that my dermatologist advised me to discontinue the use. I thought I broke my metacarpal, trapezoid, and trapezium. It was swollen and I had such pain I could not even hold a pen. Of course, it had to be my right thumb, and I am right-handed, which is also the hand I applied the cream with. I had an orthopedic friend order an X-ray, which came back as arthritis in those areas. One of the rare side effects, however, I also had fever, chills, malaise, and really ugly inflammation. I have since had to have several lesions surgically removed, involving skin grafts, some removed with the use of liquid nitrogen, and now my dermatologist is recommending I treat them again with Aldara. Not a chance! I will try the Efudex again, however, it did nothing the first time I used it, but that was several years ago, maybe 2000 or earlier."

• AAS...
• January 30, 2018

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Easy to apply. The medication journal makes it easy to track usage and clearly defines “break days.” This is week four. Skin is red and irritated, however very bearable and annoying rather than painful. Other side effects are pretty hard to tolerate. Fatigue is beyond belief and at times debilitating, yet unable to sleep. Nausea all the time. Headache at times. Perception seems to be a little distorted. Difficult to tell how much the light-headed feeling is coming from fatigue. Joints ache. A little weight gain. I’m irritable due to unbearable fatigue. Dreams at night are emotionally overwhelming and vivid. The effect of alcohol is extremely magnified. I call these my little bottles of hell. That’s how they make me feel. That said, it seems to be working, and I’m very interested in seeing the results. Given a choice at this stage, excision would be my preference. That might change by the time I finish treatment. However, it would take a lot to endure this again."

• non...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2016

For Keratosis "Actinic keratosis lesions on forearms only... but a nasty case at any rate. Dermatologist put me on a regimen of Aldara cream and salicylic acid. The experience during the 4 months of Aldara treatment was not particularly pleasant: worst of all being that it made the keratosis lesions much worse in terms of acute redness and inflammation and quite distressing vanity-wise. There were some headaches, some fatigue, but that only lasted 2 weeks or so. After that, no side effects worth bothering about. But I must admit I almost stopped using it during the period of unsightliness. But I didn't. And I am very glad I didn't! The dermatologist took me off the Aldara regimen after 4 months and told me to just keep on using the salicylic acid. Now, after 5 months, the keratosis lesions are completely gone, leaving quite smooth new skin. The area is still a little pinkish compared to normal skin color, but the doctor said that that will disappear once the healing time has done its work. Overall success, I would say. For myself, Aldara was a godsend."

• Caz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "I noticed small lumps on the inside of my labia. I went to my gyno, who confirmed they were genital warts. My gyno prescribed Aldara cream 2 times a week for 6 weeks. The cream caused intense itching in the area, soreness, and ulcers in and around the area. I also had headaches, was very fatigued, and had flu-like symptoms. After the 6 weeks, the warts have gotten somewhat smaller but had not disappeared. As it had somewhat worked, I asked my gyno if I could get another dose of the cream. I went through another 6 weeks of the medication and finished up about 2 weeks ago. Aldara did significantly reduce and clear most of the warts, but there are still some of them there, and 2 weeks after finishing treatment, I felt itchy down there again and noticed warts growing back again. I am sad as I went through so much pain physically and emotionally. I can imagine the treatment does work for some patients, so it is worth a try, sadly, it just didn't fully work for me."

• sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "Been using to treat HPV vaginally 3 times a week for 6 weeks, with a few short breaks needed in between for discomfort to ease. Developed fluid in my ears immediately, but I cannot be sure whether or not it's a side effect from the cream. Have experienced occasional elevated temps as high as 103+ and vertigo. Also, extreme fatigue. This is all very unlike me. The fluid in my ear doesn't seem to want to go away after 2 different antibiotics and chiropractic adjustments to allow the fluid to drain."

• ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2020

For Human Papilloma Virus "Two small and flat warts appeared on my penis eight months ago, and the doctor prescribed Aldara. It caused redness, fatigue, and time-to-time fever. But I continued using it as the warts were so annoying and made me feel miserable. After three months, the warts disappeared but left a small scar. After a month, the warts appeared again, and as a last resort, I started to use Aldara again. This time, the warts disappeared after two months, but the scars became a bit worse. Just hoping that it was the last time I used Aldara. Wishing you all HPV-free days..."

• Alb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2021

For Human Papilloma Virus "Used this Aldara cream on my penis for HPV condylomas. Worked great for what it had to do, one week and there was nothing anymore. However, I felt important systemic effects on me, like I went through depression, had great anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, very poor concentration, and complete absence of motivation even days after stopping the treatment."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2025

For Condylomata Acuminata "Four weeks and my warts are pretty much gone! Yes, you have to be incredibly patient, and it can be incredibly uncomfortable, but it does what it says. Key things I noticed - inflammation, red, raw, and cold-like symptoms. Always felt fatigued the next day during weeks 2-3. But I really saw a difference from week 3 to week 4. Noticed I have some internal warts that I don’t think are appropriate for Aldara, so getting those frozen off, but the combination I think is great. I would use this again - especially if I catch them early and they don’t morph into anything bigger. Unfortunately, I was traveling, so I let them grow quite considerably."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2021

For Human Papilloma Virus "I had genital warts, and my gynecologist said to use Aldara 3 times per week. Let me just say, this cream is not pleasant at all. It causes mild itching and discharge sometimes and gave me a sore, but the worst thing is I experience aches and fatigue. After one week, I thought it was not working, but after 2 weeks, the warts have almost flattened and I can see improvement. My advice is really only use it 3 times per week, a thin layer, the next day just start taking Panadol and continue with it. Try not to mess it up by picking at the warts. It will get better, it is just very unpleasant."