Imiquimod topical and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "This is my 5th go-around with Aldara. I've previously treated 3 facial BCCs and 2 pre-cancerous areas. I insist on a biopsy the minute I have even a tiny, non-healing lesion, and I have never been wrong. I notice nothing for about 14 days; then all the big reactions break loose! Painful, weeping, 2-cm sores requiring gauze just to sleep. I look like a leper. This latest treatment came with massive headaches, joint aches, abdominal pain, and flu-like malaise, which began during week three and continues unabated. That said, I have never had a lesion recur; there is no scarring whatsoever, and the healing after stopping the applications is swift- all sores gone within about two weeks. It can take two to four months before the skin thickens completely back to normal, and I am compulsive about sun-screening- especially any pre-treated areas. The treatment isn't fun, and at $400 a pop, it's a bit excessive. But the results for me have been consistently great."

• Bob...
• February 19, 2013

Imiquimod topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "Used it for 3 weeks. 5 days on, 2 off, and so on. 1st week comes out like pimples, second they break, third they dry. Hurts, sure, but not impossible. Works perfectly. Fever, drowsiness, headaches, but it's worth it. I have used it for the last 5 years once a year for face skin problems."

• LAD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2018

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I’ve used this multiple times, all on the face. While the treatment is not pretty or painless, the results are wonderful. With surgery, I would have had to undergo plastic surgery to rebuild the cheek area. This treatment was well worth the pain and discomfort. My skin is healthy and no surgeries are required. Be prepared to be stared at, and don’t plan any important business or social events during treatment. It truly is ugly. But again, 6 weeks of discomfort for an exceptional result is worth it to me. My skin was covered in large oozing scabs that didn’t feel good. Washing was miserable. But you can get through anything for 6 weeks for such great results. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Pain and discomfort, headache-better than surgery any day."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2011

Imiquimod topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "The side effects of this cream were bad. Very painful sinus, swelling of throat and inside mouth, continuous cough on chest, headache (don't usually suffer headaches, dizziness). May be good for some people but not me. (I am 74)."

• 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."

• Gra...
• April 10, 2018

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "Treating basal cell carcinoma. Seven weeks in, three weeks to go, nine spots being treated with two quite large (3' x 3'). I'm treating about 25 square inches. Three spots did not react at all or very minimally, even though they were biopsied and confirmed BCC. Three of the spots reacted in a big way, causing scabbing, oozing, flaking, big growth of the affected area, burning/severe itching... Side effects. Not sure if it is the amount of surface area or the type of ailment that affects this. Not been able to sleep through the night for seven weeks - just wake up after two or three hours. In some cases, I'm also distracted by the itching/burning, in other cases, I'm just awake, drowsy, and unable to sleep. Had a headache almost the entire treatment, ranging from barely noticeable to distracting but not terrible. 'Flu-like symptoms' almost the entire treatment. I feel achy in my legs/hips and a general feeling of sickness that leaves me unable to think properly or interact normally. Also had some fever/night sweats."

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I'm in my third week of imiquimod, applying to 5 BCCs on my arms, forehead, and back 5 days a week. At this point, 3 of them are very red and crusty and sort of beginning to scale or slough off, which I think is good. Two of them aren't responding at all -- I'm sort of puzzled about that. The one on the forehead, which had been a pale color, is now bright red; hopefully, it will crust up and slough off soon. The side effects are awful the first few days after beginning the 5-day course of treatment -- really terrible joint and muscle aches and headaches. I almost wanted to stop treatment, but remembered how many surgeries I would have to have and so decided to 'tough it out' as I've already had approx. 20 skin cancers removed surgically."

• Fre...
• September 12, 2017

For Human Papilloma Virus "Long story short. Imiquimod is the best thing that ever happened to me! It got rid of my unsightly, nasty genital warts and boosts my immune system to fight them always. I felt strange my first use, my heart beats fast, head hurts, areas of my genitals swelled up and caused warts on other areas. When that happens, your viral load is HIGH! Now I look down there, and my confidence is back, all thanks to this special drug. I wish some people would stop downing it. Without imiquimod, there would be no help for my condition."

• 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."

• 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."

• Lan...
• July 5, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I developed genital warts (GW) on my vulva going in my vajay-jay. I was prescribed Aldara, using it (Mon, Wed, and Fri) for 16 weeks at bedtime. I noticed change on my seventh application. The end of that third week, 95 percent of my warts were gone. And the rest were gone in my 4th week. I am now free from GW, but my doc says I must continue to apply Aldara until 16 weeks. I don't have any side effects, only headaches in the first three weeks of using Aldara. My doc also told me to apply Vaseline on the skin that isn't affected around the warts before applying Aldara cream on the warts. I found this cream amazing, and I am happy. The only thing is that the cream is bloody expensive."

• Bc1...
• April 30, 2017

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I am finishing week 2 of 4, treating BCC on my chest and shoulders. My chest is bright red with large scabs that cover the majority of my chest. It constantly burns and itches. As of the completion of the first week, I started experiencing headaches, chills, body aches, the occasional nausea, and dizziness. Anti-inflammatory and hot baths help ease the aches. Honestly, if it were not such a large area, I would prefer the doc to cut and stitch like he has done many times before. I am going to try to stick out these last two weeks...."

• Car...
• August 9, 2011

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I will give this medicine a higher rating perhaps when I finish the treatment. At this point (day 5 in the first round), I have muscle pain, lethargy, and a dull headache. I feel like I have a mild virus. I have eruptions - red, itchy bumps - but that doesn't bother me as it means the medicine is working, and that's exactly what I want. It will be worth it to be rid of precancerous cells on my forehead and hands. But there are some side effects, and they seem to vary from person to person. For me, they are manageable."

• CAR...
• August 1, 2015

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "On this cream to treat 5 BCCs on my chin and one on my forehead, I have had various BCCs removed in the past, and my doctor is now querying Gorlin's syndrome. I had no real option but to try this, as I didn't want a large skin graft. I have just finished week 3 of six. Small pimples came up around the chin area, then it dried out, and bits of skin flaked off, currently at slightly red spots. I have had a couple of really rough days, tiredness, and headache, but not all the time. Have stayed out of the sun and only had the cream on for 8 hours before washing off. Here's hoping it removes most of them. Will update with the end result."

• KCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "My doctor prescribed Zyclara for use on some areas on my face she was concerned about. Zyclara gets rid of the cancerous cells. After the first few days, it started working, oh boy! To be honest, I looked like a drug addict, my face was red with blisters, open sores, and itchy. The only side effect I experienced was a mild to moderate headache, so the process was very tolerable for me. Second round and very little disruption of the skin. Before you start the treatment, you may want to check your calendar for any upcoming events such as weddings, reunions, parties, and such because your skin will look terrible during treatment. The initial treatment was awful, but the end result and the way my skin looks is well worth the discomfort. Some insurance plans do not cover the cost of Zyclara because it’s extremely expensive. Ask your doctor for coupons or look online as most insurance companies won’t cover it."

• KCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "My doctor prescribed Zyclara for use on some areas on my face she was concerned about. Zyclara gets rid of the cancerous cells. After the first few days, it started working, oh boy! To be honest, I looked like a drug addict, my face was red with blisters, open sores, and itchy. The only side effect I experienced was a mild to moderate headache, so the process was very tolerable for me. Second round and very little disruption of the skin. Before you start the treatment, you may want to check your calendar for any upcoming events such as weddings, reunions, parties, and such because your skin will look terrible during treatment. The initial treatment was awful, but the end result and the way my skin looks is well worth the discomfort. Some insurance plans do not cover the cost of Zyclara because it’s extremely expensive. Ask your doctor for coupons or look online as most insurance companies won’t cover it."

• 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."

• Abl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2013

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "Have used this for one week but began to have serious side effects including hives all over my back, severe diarrhea, terrible cold/flu, headache, joint soreness. I do have an autoimmune disorder (endometriosis and Raynaud's), and the medication has warnings for people with autoimmune disorders, so that may be why I am having such an adverse reaction. Will see the doctor tomorrow to learn if I should switch to Efudex maybe, but will probably look into the genetic testing for DPD before I start that one."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2018

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I am on to my second week now of Aldara. My first 2 days, I applied way too much and was in severe agony, waking up in tears with pain - burning, itching, hurt to walk and sit down, also when urinating. I took a 3-day break and have been applying a lot less now, and it comes with a lot less pain, so anyone starting treatment, you do not need much product!!! I learned that the hard way. Gets very itchy and uncomfortable, but nothing unbearable like the first 2 days. I have been having other bad side effects - horrible dreams, chills, headaches, trouble sleeping, and general aches and pains, but so far, so good as the Aldara seems to be working, so I am looking forward to my next couple of weeks of treatment."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "Imiquimod worked after only 5 applications on 3 separate warts (1 large, 2 small). Had horrible side effects after 2 applications. Headaches, nausea, skin redness, and blistering. There's hardly any info on how to help relieve side effects while on imiquimod, so here's some advice. I invested in an aloe vera spray mist with 1% lidocaine, which helped relieve the burning feeling and pain from what seemed like chemical burns on my lady area! I found Aquaphor better than Vaseline and put it on every day to heal the skin and stop chafing. Also, only wear cotton underwear for max comfort. Take painkillers (I used ibuprofen to reduce the swelling) and antihistamines to help the itch. Whatever you do, DO NOT ITCH - my skin seemed extra thin and sensitive, and even a light scratch could cause a painful cut where it normally wouldn't. I've been off it for a week now and all cuts and scrapes have healed up. Skin redness still hasn't subsided, but overall feeling back to normal."

• Bro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2016

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "Had been on the Zyclara, putting it on my chest only, for 10 days when I experienced high fever, chills, shortness of breath, nausea, sore throat, aching joints, headache, numbness in my fingers, metallic taste in my mouth, dry mouth, and extremely tired. Dr. told me to stop. Symptoms still continue after 5 days off. He refuses to say it's from the cream, but I am never sick and only became sick after being on the cream. Hopefully, the cream will have done its job, and after the redness and spots disappear, I will have a clear chest again. It is a chemotherapy cream, so no wonder there will be side effects. Stupid doctor for not taking responsibility for this!!!!"

• mar...
• July 7, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "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."

• 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!!!"