Imiquimod topical and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "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..."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2021

For Human Papilloma Virus "I read most of these reviews before I started using Aldara (imiquimod), so I feel it's only fair I share my experience, as the reviews helped me. Exactly a week ago, I started using Aldara. I use it 3 times a week, only applied a small amount (I used one sachet 3 times and sealed it with a peg) and made sure to wipe it off the affected area after 8 hours. I had papules on my labia, it stings a bit and itches sometimes. I also experience slight headaches every now and again. I used it while on my period and just used a tampon on the nights I applied the cream. I did not experience swelling or sores. The smaller papules started shrinking by day 2 already, and the bigger ones by day 4. Today, I see a massive change and hardly even feel the papules, there are one or two left. If you're reading, please don't be freaked by the negative comments. Remember, small amount and wipe it off as soon as you wake up. I am also on multivitamins to boost my immune system."

• 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!!!!"

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2020

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "Tomorrow will be my 4th day of using Aldara. I had extreme body aches, headaches, and horrible nausea. While doing my research, I found that Aldara has this side effect, but I do also have a bladder infection (not related). My vagina is extremely red, swollen, itchy, and it looks as if my skin is melting. Let me not even get started on the burning when I pee, bear in mind I have a bladder infection, so my urine is very concentrated, so it burns so bad! My warts are going down, and I only take it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, skipping the weekend. My treatment should last 4 weeks, but this pain is worse than a bad case of thrush. I hope it gets rid of all of my warts."

• Anonymous
• February 6, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Condylomata Acuminata "Used 6 days and now have over 50 spots on face, 30 on neck and chest with 11 fever blisters. Felt feverish, achy, sick at stomach, headache, and lower back pain. I guess I’m weak because I can’t go another day."

• Hor...
• February 6, 2017

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I had a wart on my penis, which the doctor froze, and it disappeared. Later, I noticed I had some warts around my anus. I went to the doctor, mortified, and was prescribed Aldara cream. I used it as prescribed, three times, and noticed some pain after the first week but didn't think much of it. I went back to the doctor for a check-up, and I was prescribed further Aldara cream. The pain afterward was agony. I had headaches and chemical burning to the point that I couldn't sit down for days. I stopped using the cream and bathed in Epsom salt and used Aloe Vera. Subsequently, I have continued to bathe in Epsom salt and used tea tree oil. Although slow, it works. Do NOT use Aldara cream if you can avoid it, natural remedies are better and no pain!"

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

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "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."

• 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."

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

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "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."

• J17...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2024

Imiquimod topical "Used as prescribed. After night 1, I had felt quite a bit of burning, but after seeing it listed as one of the symptoms, I just thought the cream was doing its job. The burning continued to get worse even after I had washed it off. When it reached night 2, I began to get many other symptoms (burning, itching, cold sweats, dizziness, nausea, pounding headache, and I ran a fever of 104). I decided to go to the hospital as the fever wouldn't break, and they gave me medication to help. The doctor told me to stop using the cream immediately. Day 3, the fever was gone, but I ended up having to return to the hospital. My area was now swollen to three times its original size, I had bloody discharge, and the burn had now turned dark purple. The doctor was shocked to see my downstairs area pretty much completely destroyed. He told me this was a severe reaction to this cream and that this was essentially a bad chemical burn in the worst area possible. It's been 5 weeks, and I'm still recovering."

• Unl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2021

Imiquimod topical for Human Papilloma Virus "I thought I would share my experience with this cream. Used for 4 weeks. First 2 weeks, I had heavy discharge and felt a bit uncomfortable. The third week, the redness, headaches, sore throat, and night sweats started. By the end of the 4th week, my vagina was unrecognizable. I had open sores, which had to be swabbed for herpes (negative), so I had to stop using it. I don't think I could continue any longer anyway. I do admit I was using too much by the 4th week as it wasn't working at all, and I was becoming desperate. So stupidly, the bad reaction was my fault. But no cream that has this effect should be put near that area."

• non...
• September 7, 2015

For Keratosis "Male, 68 yrs old. My AKs are on my forearms only. First week on 5% Aldara with a protocol of 3 times a week with a non-use day in between each application. Side effects are apparent but not onerous. Quite a bit of reddening and some minor scabbing on each chosen AK (unsightly). Some itching (ignored) started after the 2nd application and has gotten somewhat stronger since then. Feeling some minor fatigue in the day (not normal for me), although I cannot say 100% that it can be blamed on the Aldara. Some minor headaches have been noticed at the end of one week. All these effects were known going in and expected. None of the more dramatic side effects have been noticed. I won't give a rating until I've been on Aldara longer."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2019

Imiquimod topical for Condylomata Acuminata "Aldara works, takes time, and the side effects can be heavy. Mild depression, lethargy, hypertension, brain fog, and headaches, but persevere with it for results."