Imiquimod topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma User Reviews (Page 3)

• Zan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2020

Imiquimod topical "I have used Aldara in the past for specific lesions. Never once have I been able to go the full course as my glands swell, and I feel miserable and flu-y. Over the years, I have had 21 MOH's surgeries, so I always think the Aldara will be better, but after this last round, I'm not so sure. This time, the dermatologist told me to apply it to my whole face Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights and rinse off in the morning. There are at least 30 lesions that are reacting, and yesterday I had to just lay in a chair all day, feeling awful. Needless to say, I'm going off of it a bit early again. Hopefully, it has done something to most of these areas, but I'm not sure I'm a good candidate for this drug. The good thing about MOH's surgery is that the entire BCC is removed and doesn't come back. Many of these spots are ones that I've used Aldara on over the years, and they are back..."

• Sut...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 24, 2017

"I appreciate this drug because provided the BCC isn't too deep or on the lips, it can save surgery and scarring. Since my dad ended up looking like a patchwork quilt, I am very grateful for the surgeries saved. I only once had a bad reaction, and that was with a large, deep BCC on my back. On more now for face and arm and so far not so bad. I just think of it as weed killing."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2018

Imiquimod topical "3 weeks, only using it at night, Monday/Wednesday/Friday only. No side effects, but masked probably because I have Parkinson's. Small area, only above the temple. No result really, although feeling it now there is a rough patch, so pleased. I would like to use for another week, but not sure if advisable. I had a stinging sensation for years, which GPs just waved their hands in the air as if to say nothing to worry about until I saw a GP 3 weeks ago. He prescribed this cream, and I believe it’s now doing its job."

• Tbg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2016

"Okay, middle way through week 4. Oozing red spot that is weeping. It is fairly painful and stings. I don't have the aches and pains, but seem to have bouts at night of really heavy, complete body sweating. One small spot seems somewhat improved, but so far... not sure. Two weeks to go, hope it works."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2016

"I've just finished week 2 for 4 BCC. I use Aldara 5 times a week. The BCC on my neck and arm are going well. The one on my chest is ulcerated, so my doctor said to have 4 days off instead of 2. The one just above my lip is really ugly. It was quite small, but now is huge and won't stop bleeding. The doctor said at least a week off for that one. I feel quite well so far - just itchy and maybe a bit tired. I'll update again in another 2 weeks."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2016

"I'm about to use imiquimod for the second time. The first was for a spot on my right clavicle (shoulder area). This time, it's my forehead (three spots). I am not looking forward to this experience as it's my face and a larger area; however, it will be better than having multiple excisions and scarring."

• Dot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2018

Imiquimod topical "I had cancer in situ on the glans (top of my penis). I used Efudix for 6 weeks and didn't have any side effects. Now it's reduced to a Basalioma (pre-stage to cancer), which is from the HPV virus. So the doctor gave me Aldara. Used a small amount for 4 days. Had to stop, fever, swollen glands, back pain, burning, and blood spots on my penis, can't pee without screaming. Even water hurts!!"

• Rra...
• June 17, 2016

"I'm starting my second week of six weeks for a spot on my chest. I thought it was an allergic reaction after the first night I took it. My entire chest is covered in red, swollen, now crusty welts that are painful. The doctor said those are all cancerous cells he couldn't see with the naked eye, and it's good that it's bringing them out. Honestly, I don't know if I can make it six weeks. The pain is bad, I'm nauseous all day, I have achy muscles, and feel tired. I have a high pain tolerance, so for me to be so bothered is unusual. I know it's working, too well. I'll try and stick it out, what's my alternative? I also have to wear shirts that cover up to my neck, it's so bad."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2017

"On a twice-a-week treatment plan. Initial redness appeared in about a week, then the cancer sites began to show ulceration. I'm about two months into treatment, and the cancerous and/or keratoses are almost gone. On a side note, I had areas that lit up I didn't recognize as abnormal, but my immune system did. Used this med about three years ago with similar results. Lastly, don't discard the opened pack if you don't use it all. My doctor said to open it with a tiny nick in the corner and use only what you need and save the rest for the next treatment. As for the return of my lesions, they are in different spots than before. This med will not cure changes before they exist."

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2019

Imiquimod topical "I have been using Aldara for 5 and a half weeks, on a BCC that was scraped off. Strangely, nothing has happened, I have applied it as recommended, but there is nothing (except the scar from the scraping) to show for it! Money not well spent!"

• mar...
• July 7, 2016

"My mother used Aldara on a carcinoma. After 2 weeks, she feels very side effects, severe headache, vertigo, diarrheas, convulsions. She went to the hospital and died 8 days later. Doctors never find what's wrong with her. Before using Aldara, she feels in great shape."

• thi...
• May 26, 2016

"I guess it is effective, but not pleasant. My first experience was on my forearm - it quickly started to look like a nasty cigarette burn. Which I guess is good because you want your body to 'react' to the cream... it DID! But it looked horrible - and you're not supposed to cover it so it can be embarrassing because it looks like something you just keep picking at for WEEKS. I have lots of freckles, and when it healed, it was completely white - so I guess better than an actual scar, but it is quite obvious against the other freckles, nonetheless. I'm going to try 'needling' to better distribute melanin cells back to that white area. I'm just getting ready to start on a small spot near my ankle, which should be much less noticeable."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2024

"I want to share my experience. When I was offered Aldara for the first time, I read so many scary reviews like extreme reactions and flu symptoms. This had me worried, especially as it was during the pandemic. So, I opted for Mohs on an sBCC on my upper lip. It was one cut but left a scar from my nose to my cutaneous lip. My lip was swollen on that side and I had a constant feeling of pulling even over two years later. When I had another small sBCC diagnosed on my forehead and Aldara was offered, I decided to try it. I talked to a second opinion derm who said that you don't have to have an extreme reaction for it to work, you just need a reaction for at least a few weeks. He advised me to keep in close contact with my derm and we can adjust things if there is an overreaction. This was the comfort and reassurance I needed. I never had an extreme reaction. The doctor called it cleared a few months after treatment and there is no scar. It now feels completely normal."

• han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2016

"I am 12 days into treatment, and my forehead looks more than terrible. Hope it gets better soon, since it's impossible to go out in public. Sad, it's not possible to upload a pic from my now ugly forehead."

• Blo...
• October 28, 2017

"I am just starting week 3 of 12 for BCC on my sideburn. The area turned into a scab almost immediately and is now about the size of a British penny-it has been sore at times, and I have noticed another spot below it that may just be an insect bite. I go running most days, and I'm pretty healthy. I did notice feeling a bit lethargic and my airways not being so clear, but I'm currently putting that down to the weather and my training regime. I will update as I progress."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2024

"I have had two BCCs nodular over the last 3 years, both on my nose. I prefer surgical removal as the pathology report gives me reassurance that the cancer is gone. My latest report showed unclear margins and I was offered imiquimod 5% cream to be used daily with a review mid-treatment. Following instructions was stressed and I have been carefully doing so. The cream is definitely working. At first, a pinkish hue to most of my nose which deepened to bright red patches. A large thick scab covers the treatment area and is beginning to flake off at week 4. A mild headache, stinging, and some localized pain are the only other side effects I have experienced. My treatment has been twice daily rubbing in a small drop of cream over my last BCC site. I am onto my fourth sachet of cream and have found the cream is easy to use. I am surprised at how big an area is responding to such a small treatment area. So far, I am satisfied with imiquimod although at this stage my nose looks a mess."

• Osh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2021

Imiquimod topical "I have had several BCCs surgically removed, including one on my chest, which caused keloid scarring. When another BCC presented next to the excision site on my chest, the doctor decided that Aldara cream would be worth trying. Side effects mentioned were slight flu-like symptoms. I was told it works off your immune system and should have done my research at that point. Initially, I developed slight flu-like symptoms, enlarged lymph nodes, and the site scabbed as was meant to. After two weeks, I developed a severe body rash, extreme abdominal pain, and felt generally very unwell. The doctor advised to stop usage and obtain steroidal cream for the rash-there was no advice for the other symptoms. I visited my naturopath, who was horrified I'd been prescribed this drug, as I had recently had Ross River Fever and was immunocompromised. The abdominal pain turned out to be leaky gut syndrome and took months to resolve. DO NOT take this drug if your immune system is in ANY way compromised."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2024

"I have had bcc three times before, the pearl-looking type, all surgically removed, this time a red cheek area about 14 mm dia, a break of 14 years then this occurrence. My GP said use this cream. Treatment over now and now 6mm dia still left, so I'll wait and see. Side effects, flu-like symptoms, and body weakness."

• Pam...
• August 9, 2022

"On my last week of treatment for BCC, no major problems, an itchy small spot turned into about half my forehead, large crusty sores peeling, and what was expected. Seems to be doing its job after 5 days on, 2 days off for 6 weeks. Yes, looked nasty, but all good."

• Mau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2022

"I used this treatment for approximately 3 months with little or no reaction for basal carcinoma on my cheek, which I hear is rare. The doctor had me stop and thinks that it is cleared up, but I still have the same original sore and no follow-up biopsy. Through the treatment, the sore changed texture quite a bit, and now is just a swelled lump. Wondering if this is scar tissue, but can't tell. It's been two weeks and the same lump remains. I have had a few Mohs surgeries a few times on my face and forehead, and had melanoma removed from the back of my right forearm. Wondering if anyone has a similar experience to share."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2023

"Onto my second week of 6 for sun damage on my cheek after surgery did not successfully remove it all. My face looks like a leper. It’s also broken out in a wider area than I thought. I believe all of this is proof it is working. Keeping my fingers crossed and persevering."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2025

"Diagnosed with BCC on forehead, approx size 1/2 inch circle. Have used Imiquimod 5% cream for 6 weeks, 5 days on, 2 days off. I have had no side effects, I suffer from fatigue anyway, so hard to say if it was any worse. The area did not look inflamed, so I am more concerned that the cream did not work. I used an antibacterial soap to wash the area, rinsed and dried the area, and applied cream with a Q-tip. I will have it checked in a few weeks."

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2025

"I'm in week 5 out of 6 for superficial basal carcinoma, and I'm in a lot of pain and discomfort. Itching, burning, pain, redness, oozing, and bleeding. I can't exercise or raise my arms since it pulls the skin in my chest where I have the BC. I can't sleep. On the weekends, when I don't use the cream, I have flu-like symptoms, and I'm very tired. The affected area seems to grow every day, it's horrible, and I'm miserable. I called my doctor, who tells me to continue using the cream and that it's 'working.' To get through the day, I put an ice pack on the area to numb the pain. Can't wait to get this over with, and hopefully my skin will heal, it looks disgusting, like a burn with ulcers. This has been a nightmare."

• ten...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2016

"Our veterinary oncologist recommended this for our cat's carcinoma. It looks like there may be some improvement, but the cream is horribly expensive! It cost over $300 for 12 little packets that only have a few drops each. Not only that, but one packet was able to treat 2 small areas on our cat twice, then the next packet had barely enough to treat her once. It seemed as though there was an air bubble inside, like it didn't get filled properly."

• Alp...
• June 29, 2009

Imiquimod topical "Works very well. Some slight scarring."