Aldara and Flu-Like Symptoms: What Users Say

• Dav...
• January 17, 2013

For Keratosis "Was involved in a clinical trial for Aldara 3.75% three years ago. Documented 51 actinic keratosis lesions on face and forehead. Two treatments, six weeks in between. Severe reaction occurred on the first round, including flu-like symptoms. Also had less reaction on the second treatment. Follow-up exam found no actinic keratosis sites. One year follow-up documented no recurrence! I'm a fan! This is a miracle cure!"

• inc...
• August 20, 2017

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Second time on Aldara. The first time I used it on my right temple, nose, and my face. I was covered in red blotches, like scalds, but I don't remember any severe reactions. I can't seem to remember it hurting, and it was worth it. It cleared the persistent and sore BCC on my nose and temple. I now have another BCC on my forehead which has been persistent and shown no sign of healing and has bled at times. My GP/doctor has prescribed a course of Aldara, and this time I have a much worse reaction. One side of my face has come with very red, swollen spots, blistering, and I have flu-like symptoms. But I am sure it will be worth it."

• Tap...
• December 2, 2016

For Keratosis "Have used this product several times over recent years, used for facial and scalp keratosis. It definitely works well, although skin conditions seem to return after a year or two. Treatment involves application of ointment on weekdays (i.e., five days, with weekends off) for four weeks. The major side effect I have noticed is flu-like symptoms (coldness and body aches) and tiredness. The several times this has happened, I have taken a day's break from treatment before resuming."

• 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I'll use Aldara 3 times a week. I recently used it for the 2nd time, and warts on my penis already started shrinking, some are gone too. I didn't experience any side effects so far, but I got mild flu-like symptoms. Expensive medicine, but definitely useful, very quick to effect."

• Rai...
• August 9, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "I had anal warts last year. I thought it was just a bump and it would disappear in no time. But it was growing bigger instead. Then I knew it was anal warts, so I searched for the remedy. I've tried so many treatments, but nothing works. I've tried ACV (apple cider vinegar), the warts disappeared, but somehow they came back. Then I came to Aldara. I used one sachet for a week. And then nothing happened for about three weeks, then I saw the change in the fourth week. The warts are shrinking slowly. I stopped the treatment in the ninth week. Now my warts are completely gone. Glad that I didn't get side effects, just flu symptoms for a few weeks, and I didn't get any burns or itching in the warts area. But this is the fifth month after I stopped the treatment, I feel my anus isn't as elastic as before. I often feel a little bit of pain."

• 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."