Imiquimod topical for Keratosis User Reviews (Page 2)

• 58a...
• August 21, 2011

Imiquimod topical "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 begun to appear like old zits. It won't be pretty for several weeks, but it should be worth it to avoid cancer."

• bpa...
• May 12, 2011

Imiquimod topical "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."

• Mal...
• September 5, 2015

"47 yr. old male with light skin (Irish) here. Was reluctant to try and put it off for years. Finally, this summer, my doctor talked me into it. It was rough, no doubt. The first few days of session one, nothing-then it began. Cold-like symptoms lasted about a week (sore throat, cough), and my face was pretty beat up, just as advertised, the rest of session one and into the beginning of the two-week off window. I wore a hat when outside or in public-that helped. Took about 5 days after session one to go back to normal, but wow! There were a lot of actinic keratosis spots I had no idea I had. Praise God I did it. 2nd session, about the same happened, just not as bad. All in all, it's only a few weeks and is better than denial and death."

• No...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2016

Imiquimod topical "Just finished my second course of two weeks on, two off, two on. I pray this works! The side effects I experienced were between moderate to severe (flu-like, headache, upset stomach). My nose looks like I burned off the entire end, tip. It is very sore, crusting, oozing - very ugly. But if this is the price I pay for the medicine to hopefully work, I've sucked it up! I had MOHS in March of '15, and the new treatment spot is adjacent to the old scar. Praying this works..."

• Dak...
• March 19, 2019

Imiquimod topical "I'm on the second round of applying Zyclara, week two after using it for 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. The first round, I had no side effects and very minimal skin changes until day 13. I saw my dermatologist on day 15, and she said she would consider it a mild to moderate reaction. I had a crusty place on the bottom side of my nose and a pimple-like place on the skin next to my nose and one on my nose. I'm on day 8 of round 2 and noticed a pimple-like place on the skin next to my nose in the same place as before. I was so scared to try this lotion after seeing the pictures of what could happen. I had MOH's surgery on my nose last summer and would like to avoid having that again if at all possible. I had good results, very minimal scarring, and it's not noticeable now, but the whole process of the surgery just grossed me out. My doctor wants me to apply the Zyclara for 3 two-week on and two weeks off sessions. I hope this does the trick, it seems to be working."

• TMC...
• December 9, 2015

Imiquimod topical "I took Zyclara for 5 days and, unfortunately, had to discontinue due to acute side effects, including fever, flu-like symptoms, nausea, lack of appetite, and fatigue. I have been off now for 4 days, and other than the fever being slightly lower, the symptoms continue. I used it on my entire face, which is swollen and covered in bright red sores, some draining. This has been a very negative experience for me, but that's the chance I took, hoping the benefits would outweigh the side effects. I believe I may have an immune issue and plan to further investigate that, as I seem to get sick a lot and am easily fatigued."

• luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2014

Imiquimod topical "4 days in on first 2 weeks. Using on arms and face. Put Vaseline on lips, under eyes, and in nostrils to protect from cream. So far, no reaction at all. I know I have many pre-cancerous spots and thought I would light up like a Christmas tree, but so far, so good. Maybe it's coming, but time will tell."

• And...
• December 26, 2015

"AK on my left cheek. Laser treatment in 2011, then in 2 years AK came out again, from boundaries of the laser-treated area. Went to a new dermatologist, who prescribed Aldara but did not tell about side effects. After 10 days of treatment, skin in the AK area was badly affected, really effective. Then I had a night with drinks, etc., and immediately after that, started persistent influenza-like symptoms I never experienced before during summertime, as well as diarrhea. I went for info online and understood it was Aldara. I stopped anything that could weaken my immune response, had plenty of sleep, vitamins, a healthy lifestyle, and continued the treatment. Stopped after 3 weeks. Side effects gone, big crust, new skin after one month, no more AK. Great."

• Suz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2018

"My dermatologist prescribed imiquimod (very $) for my chronically peeling skin and squamous cell cancer in situ on my nose. I used it as directed for 8 days when I noticed a large, weeping sore worsening on my lip and torn mucous membranes inside my lip. I was told this was not related to the drug. But after doing research and seeing identical pictures online, I stopped applying the drug. My symptoms continued for 2 weeks-excruciating pain, swelling, cracking and bleeding lips, large ulcers inside my mouth-it was horrible. I also became anxious, agitated, and kept crying out of the blue-not at all like myself. Using this drug was a big mistake. And I still have my original peeling nose."

• MLH...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 14, 2017

Imiquimod topical "I used Zyclara about a year ago with good results. Many lesions appeared on my head and face, and the side effects were minimal. I followed the typical application, 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off, and 2 more weeks on. Everything on my head and face completely healed in about 2 weeks after my 2nd application. Recently, I started treatment on my face and head and noticed more lesions appeared. However, into my 2nd week, the side effects were awful. Severe flu-like symptoms; lower back pain, nausea, sore throat, head and chest congestion, it sucked! I am not sure why the side effects hit me harder this time around as a year ago the side effects were very minimal. At any rate, I stopped using Zyclara, and within 4 days I was back to normal again."

• Sta...
• June 23, 2017

Imiquimod topical "I am currently using Zyclara for a basal cell in my ear. I have had this before about 7 years ago and used Aldara at the time that completely cured it. I was prescribed this cream this time at my doc's recommendation because it is a little milder than Aldara and the skin is thinner in the ear. I have been using this now for 3 weeks without any breaks and have 3 more weeks to go as per my derm. I haven't had any flu-like symptoms, and side effects are just on the treated area: extreme swelling, raw skin, oozing, redness, slight burning, and scabbing. I started with one spot that looked like a pimple, and with the cream came many more. Once I'm done, I am hoping, obviously, that my basal cell is gone and my ear looks like an ear again."

• Cur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2019

Imiquimod topical "Used Zyclara for basal cell carcinoma behind my ear, just smaller than an eraser head. 6 weeks straight. Did the trick with no scarring other than from the punch biopsy. No side effects other than the huge, ugly scar that formed, but I just wore my hair in a way that hid it. Previously used Aldara on my chest but did experience mild, brief episodes of nausea for a couple of days, but quite tolerable."

• Tpm...
• August 10, 2016

Imiquimod topical "I have been using this cream on the front of my ear for a week. There is swelling, itching, crusting, and so much oozing it will drip down my face. Around day 5, I started feeling tired and weak. Then, day 6 and 7, I have felt like I have the flu. I feel awful. Lymph nodes seem swollen, and my throat is sore. My lower back hurt as well one day, but not every day. I was worried the fluid dripped down into my ear canal. My doctor told me to stop using it and come back to see him in 3 weeks."

• V G...
• December 9, 2017

Imiquimod topical "Four years ago, I used Zyclara for two weeks, took a two-week break, and continued the second cycle for one week. During the first cycle, I experienced flu-like symptoms and the open sores. I had to wear band-aids on my face to hide the sores, and it was very uncomfortable. However, within 3-4 months, I received numerous comments about my skin and how healthy it looked. I applied a second dose a year ago to isolated areas and did not have any of the severe issues from the first time. My dermatologist recommended stopping the treatment at the first sign of open sores or major irritation, but I never had to follow that advice. Although the first application's results were extreme and unexpected, I am glad that I did it."

• Sti...
• January 5, 2018

Imiquimod topical "Two days after I started using Zyclara, I had diarrhea for 2 days, lack of appetite for 5 days, flu-like symptoms, and nausea for 12 days. After 8 days, my cleavage had bright red scrapes, most of which were oozing. After 14 days, I stopped using Zyclara and started again after 14 days, according to the instructions on the package insert. Again, after 2 days of using Zyclara, I had the same symptoms all over again, this time even worse."

• Ram...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2014

Imiquimod topical "I have only used Zyclara for 3 nights, but last night after I applied it to my face and neck, I started coughing and feeling funny in my throat. It only lasted about 20 minutes, but I will try again tonight and see if I have the same reaction. The list of side effects did list this condition. I want to love this cream but am afraid I may have to quit it."

• Bra...
• August 7, 2018

"It's a relief to find here that all the side effects others have listed I also am experiencing. I went 7 or 8 days before taking 2 days off. I'm bald and so, for now, the treatment area is all on the top of my head. I have about 30 growing red bumps; the pain and itching are manageable. The worst part is flu-like symptoms, low energy (can barely take care of daily essentials), loss of appetite, and inability to sleep (this side effect just started last night, so hoping it subsides quickly). I'm about 2 weeks in now with 3 or 4 weeks to go. Yes, it's highly unpleasant for many, but still, as others have commented, perhaps the best alternative to lesser effective treatments. BEFORE YOU TAKE THIS MEDICINE: If possible, have someone that will grocery shop for you and walk the dogs, etc. There will be days when you're too weak and nauseated to do this if you're like me."

• CDW...
• February 10, 2018

"I am on day 11 and had to call 'uncle' last night. My doc had different instructions than what I am reading. It was for every day for 2 weeks. At day 7, he saw me and stated that I look like I may be one that has the more severe reaction. He stated for me to try and make it to the two weeks, but if not, just as long as I could stand it. It was for a lesion on my nose. I look like Rudolph, yes. It is very red, swollen, and blistery, yes. The skin is also thickening, and I look horrendous. I do have the flu-like symptoms and the very swollen glands, but what is making me stop is I started getting that histamine reaction you get when you are having an allergic reaction and everything got super itchy. With my nose already super swollen and my neck swollen from the swollen glands, I am not going to take any chances with breathing difficulty. My hope is that I have done enough treatment for this to work. If it works, it will be worth it, but I will be very reluctant if I have to do it again."

• cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2016

"I was using 1 pump of Vyloma 3 nights a week on my forearms. Was going to do legs, face, etc. (Very fair), but I had to stop. Have intense joint pain all over and can only assume it's the imiquimod. I used Aldara packets many years ago on my chest and did not have these problems, but I've since had breast cancer and maybe my immune system can't handle it. I am almost unable to walk, my feet are so swollen. I last applied the imiquimod 30 hours ago, so I'm hoping this pain and swelling goes away quickly."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

"This stuff is caustic (use extreme caution) applied twice to a pre-cancerous spot on my lip, and it destroyed the tissue. Blistered and pocked my lower lip for weeks after two applications. Only apply a very, very thin coat. Packaging is confusing as it states “one application” on each individual package. See if there is a better alternative!!"

• Jea...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 11, 2015

Imiquimod topical "I've been on Zyclara close to a year. Only off of it for about 3 weeks in a year. My limbs are covered with hundreds of actinic keratosis, and I also have had squamous cell carcinoma removed. I am now experiencing swollen and tender lymph nodes under my arms and in my groin. Is this a side effect of the Zyclara, or is this a sign that the cancer, squamous cell, has spread? Any info would be appreciated."

• Gin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2022

Imiquimod topical "I've done my first 5 days. I am exhausted and weak with a headache. It is hard to work/function - that's how tired I am. But I am hoping it works so I can avoid surgical removal of my basal cell carcinoma."

• Jax...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2021

"Treatment was for 4 weeks M-F at bedtime. Noticeable redness and irritation started after the third day. Intense itching, burning, and stinging increased each week. By week three, I experienced some light bleeding, and wounds were weeping. Benadryl gave temporary relief, but for the most part, the discomfort was a continuous thing."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2023

Imiquimod topical "I'm on day 7 of my first two-week application process. Had a few spots appear on my forearms, but my chest was a different story. Wow! I know I had sun damage there, but I had no idea to what extent. Red bumps appeared the day after the first application and have gotten progressively more pronounced. Not sure if I should keep using, as the leaflet says to stop using if sores appear during the first week of application or if ulceration occurs. I keep reading, though, that this just means it's working. Having a difficult time getting a hold of the prescribing doctor to confirm. Surprisingly, have had no reaction on my face. Only possible side effect has been the odd headache, but not sure if it's from the Zyclara."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 21, 2023

"I used it some 5 years ago, treating basal cell on nearly my entire face. The process took several weeks, and it was worth it. You get them all done at the same time; the ones you can see and the ones you can't. Now, on both sides of my chest, pinhead-sized keratosis have sprung up in just the past few days. So I began imiquimod on these. The face is tender, so go easy on the amount you apply, really easy. Better too little than too much."