Imiquimod topical and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Fre...
• April 5, 2011

Imiquimod topical 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

Imiquimod topical 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

Imiquimod topical 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."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2012

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Using this for basal cell carcinoma treatment. Used it for a couple of small areas initially with little problems. Have been using it on a larger spot now and have developed quite significant flu-like symptoms. Have tried to push through them, but they're getting worse to the point of needing to stop the cream. Extremely fatigued and achy, which is just not me. I work out an hour plus several days a week and am only able to struggle through maybe a half workout. It also caused a lot of redness and sores at the site of use, but I can manage that. The good news is it does seem to work on the basal cells."

• AGG...
• June 2, 2017

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I am in week 2 of 16! The affected area was believed to be small, but the cream has 'discovered' other affected areas, and now the blisters cover an area of 3cm x 3cm on my forehead. They hurt and look bad, I'm using a headscarf now to go out. Knowing that the alternative is surgery to remove an area that size, I think it's worth it in the end, but the process is not fun at all. I'm also experiencing fatigue and flu-like symptoms since the beginning."

• Lis...
• March 11, 2018

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "After my first 3 weeks, and follow-up, the doctor has me on the second lot of 3 weeks (5 days on, 2 off). My BCC has a large raised scab and is red/raw. But, thankfully, it's on top of my head, so it isn't noticeable. The main side effects for me have been 'tasting' the cream inside my mouth (yuk). I've also experienced fatigue and sort of a 'blue' feeling. Since the scab is very raised, I try to avoid brushing my hair much. I've cleaned the wound area with cotton, peroxide, and alcohol. No stinging or pain. I attribute that to the fact the scab looks and feels like a helmet. But I'm happy my immune system is working well with the cream. And I will take this process over a bald spot at the top of my head. I take comfort in that I am taking part in the process of my healing. I now wear hats religiously in the sun. If something on your head feels like a pimple and doesn't go away, see your dermatologist ASAP. I feel very thankful that this spot was a BCC and not a melanoma. Good luck on your healing journey."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2015

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I am a female in my late 60s, and on day 13 of the 1st round of 14. After tomorrow, I will be off 2 weeks and back on for 2 weeks. I am using it on my temples and forehead. Luckily, I have a lot of hair to cover the red spots that have surfaced on my temples. However, I have had NO flu-like symptoms, NO fatigue, NO stomach problems. Nothing... just a bunch of ugly red spots."

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

Imiquimod topical 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."

• Anonymous
• March 31, 2017

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I have been using this cream for BCC for 3 weeks, with 1 week left. Apply 3 nights a week. I was not sure what to expect. Using it on my face and neck, initially applied over the entire area until the red areas popped out. Now I'm just using it on the inflamed areas. Almost the entire face is covered in red sores. Very painful, burning, and itchy. Also developed cough and fatigue. Staff at the doctor's office said this was normal. I guess if it has a lot of inflammation, it means it is working. I have wanted to stop the treatment but am trying to stick with it as I'm close to the end. I prefer to not have any additional surgeries. I rarely leave the house, this looks like a contagious disease."

• Anonymous
• January 19, 2012

Imiquimod topical for 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!"

• AAS...
• January 30, 2018

Imiquimod topical 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

Imiquimod topical 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."

• Est...
• February 13, 2016

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I am on day 11 of a 14-day cycle, and the first week I experienced flu-like symptoms, i.e., achy muscles, fatigue, and headaches. My only side effect now is a slight headache. I am using Zyclara on my face (temples, forehead, and cheek), and my face is looking pretty ugly right now. It looks like an awful outbreak of acne and is very raw. I have more than a few scabs and a lot of redness where I have been applying the cream. It is very itchy and tender, and to be honest, while I am still in the middle of all of this, I have questioned whether I would do it again. I guess it would be better to answer that in a couple of weeks. I have wanted to stop using it, but it is like swimming halfway across a lake. I think I will be happy in a couple of weeks."

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

Imiquimod topical 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."

• Zyc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2014

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "Just to let people know, there are some side effects. I got fatigue, swollen and sore lymph nodes, constant thirst, and I don't ever have anything like that happen. Usually, I am a very healthy person, so it surprised me. I used Carac about ten years ago and didn't have any side effects."

• Per...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I was prescribed this imiquimod medicine for HPV and wish I would have been given better instructions! I used two doses and am in the most excruciating pain I’ve ever been in. You only need a little bit and only on the warts themselves, NOT all around them!! I made this mistake and have been experiencing nausea, loss of appetite, tenderness and pain on external genitals, body aches, chills, headache, fatigue, swelling, all the symptoms that you DON'T want a medication to give you!! I think if I had been given clear instructions on how much to actually use, I don’t think I’d be in this much pain and agony. It hurts to walk, sit, go to the bathroom, the only time it feels better is when I’m in a warm bath. If you are prescribed this, DO NOT use the whole packet!!!! I hope this helps so nobody has to experience the same thing I am!! OUCH!!!"

• Red...
• April 24, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "Went into the local PP for treatment of a couple of vaginal and anal warts. They treated them with acid and then wrote me a prescription for imiquimod if I needed further treatment. They said to allow my skin to heal up for one week before I try the imiquimod, but then I should use it three times a week at bedtime, then take it off in the morning. I only made it through two applications, and I managed to get nearly every side effect possible. Fever, weakness, malaise, itching, swelling, redness, discharge, open sores, skin cracking open and bleeding, intensely painful urination, and so much pus from the sores... I stopped treatment 4 days ago, and I swear it's only getting worse. I'm uninsured as hell and paid for this all out of pocket, and I'm very reluctant to try to go back into PP just for them to tell me that I'm going to have to ride this out. Honestly, I don't think this 'medicine' should ever be prescribed for treatment anywhere near anyone's genitals."

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

Imiquimod topical 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

Imiquimod topical 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..."

• TMC...
• December 9, 2015

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "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."

• Loz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "This is my 2nd time having to apply internally on the end of a tampon and leave it inserted for 40 mins to treat HPV (pre-cancerous cells on the vaginal wall and cervix - VAIN 2/3) every week for 12 weeks. The first time resulted in only a small patch being left. I didn’t experience any real issues until week 10... extreme fatigue, sores in my mouth, and persistent cough. However, this time, from the beginning, my joints ache, I have dreadful cramps in my lower back and stomach, severe diarrhea, headache, extreme fatigue, and the experience I had from drinking alcohol while on this treatment is not to be repeated. I cannot believe such a tiny amount of cream once a week can cause such havoc on your body and mental emotional state. However, saying all that, I will continue the course as hopefully this will clear my HPV!!!!"

• Bra...
• August 7, 2018

For Keratosis "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."

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

Imiquimod topical 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."

• igg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "I used this a couple of times to get rid of warts under my foreskin. So far, it looks like my warts are getting bigger, but I still have hope for it working. I am also getting every possible side effect except it burning in the spot I apply it. I feel fatigue, headache, earache, my pelvic bone feels super sore, and extreme diarrhea. I will use it the remainder of the course and hope all this pain is worth it in the end."

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

Imiquimod topical 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."