Imiquimod topical and Nausea: What Users Say

• Rra...
• June 17, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "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."

• gre...
• May 27, 2011

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I am on the last three days of the 2nd two-week application step. I'm using it on my forehead and cheeks, and what a mess. I'm covered in red, itchy, weeping spots and blotches. I have nausea, but that's the price you pay for baking in the sun as a kid. I'm 62. This medicine seems to work, and if you don't mind looking like your face caught fire for a few weeks to maybe save your life, then go for it."

• ecs...
• June 24, 2013

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "I am 64 and have a lot of what my Dr. describes as pre-cancerous areas. I have just completed my 2nd two-regime, the first having been done a couple of years earlier. I did my head and the left side of my face about halfway down my cheek - only wanted to look half horrible. I took more than two weeks between the 1st and 2nd cycle both times to give the areas more time to heal. Don't know the significance of this delay. I got the eruptions to the point that I called my Dr. who said there was no problem and showed photos I took during the treatment when I next visited my Dr. - all normal. I did feel fluey, sore all over, and verging on sick to my stomach, a 200 mg IBU solved the problem - it's a real miracle for me."

• 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."

• 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...."

• 242...
• April 9, 2017

For Human Papilloma Virus "Absolutely awful. Reaction to this was so bad I was told I almost 100% had herpes (due to Aldara causing severe blisters). Made it 3 days with this medicine and started to have severe vaginal swelling to the point where I had to sit in a warm bath to urinate or dump a water bottle on myself while going (TMI). Stabbing pains, nausea, could not sleep, rawness like I never knew was possible, missed a week of work because I could not even move after I had stopped using it. Took about 2 weeks, 4 doctor appointments, countless tests for various STIs/STDs for my body to fully recover."

• PJ6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2024

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I was instructed to use this cream on my chest 3X a week for 4 weeks. I applied the first dose before bed. The next morning, I woke up extremely nauseous and ultimately vomited. I don’t drink alcohol, by the way. After using it as directed for three weeks, I was tired and nauseous the whole time. By the second week, I felt like I had the flu. I had severe joint pain throughout my body. The nausea continued and was so bad I could hardly eat! I was not informed about these side effects. It took me three weeks of suffering before googling it. My chest has scabs and swelling. I think it did the job, but the side effects are terrible."

• PJ6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2024

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "I was instructed to use this cream on my chest 3X a week for 4 weeks. I applied the first dose before bed. The next morning, I woke up extremely nauseous and ultimately vomited. I don’t drink alcohol, by the way. After using it as directed for three weeks, I was tired and nauseous the whole time. By the second week, I felt like I had the flu. I had severe joint pain throughout my body. The nausea continued and was so bad I could hardly eat! I was not informed about these side effects. It took me three weeks of suffering before googling it. My chest has scabs and swelling. I think it did the job, but the side effects are terrible."

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

Imiquimod topical for Basal Cell Carcinoma "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..."

• Con...
• April 10, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "Stock your liquor cabinet, it’s gonna be a long 2 months. When I first started using this medicine, I had virtually no symptoms. Warts were falling off (the medication seems to dry the warts out and they fall off), I felt great, life was amazing. Then about 2 weeks in, body aches, nausea, diarrhea. That lasted for 2 days. Then the skin started to blister and bleed. Putting on the medication made me scream. When it started to burn when I peed, I decided to take a 3-day break from the medication so my lady parts could heal up. 3 days later, my vagina still looks really bad, but I can sit down without dying. We apply the cream again. Hurts like a son of a gun, but the next morning more warts are gone. Cool. I’ve got this. Currently it’s week 4 of the medication: I have 2 stubborn warts left, halfway through medication, my vagina still looks scary, and peeing no longer feels like childbirth. It works."

• Rra...
• June 17, 2016

For Basal Cell Carcinoma "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."

• 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!!!!"

• 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."

• Fit...
• June 3, 2016

For Human Papilloma Virus "Had 5 HPV warts on the perineum area, and two just up on my vagina, and after 4 rounds of unsuccessful cryo, I was referred to a Gyno who booked me in for surgical excision and gave me Aldara at my request, citing that she had 'little hope' it would get rid of them. She was 100% wrong, they started clearing almost straight away. I applied the cream to the warts every second day for two and a half weeks (using half a packet each time), and the warts have literally ALL gone. My side effects were insane, with possibly the most intense burning I have ever felt, swelling, nausea, and severe back pain and flu symptoms, BUT I would do it again in a heartbeat."

• 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!!!"

• Fra...
• September 24, 2018

For Human Papilloma Virus "I had one wart on the shaft of my penis, thought it was a skin tag as I get them on my waistline every once in a while. I've been using the medication for a month, no severe burning, but I apply during the day while I'm working, so I don't notice it. I do feel tired and drained, but that may just be life, ha. However, jokes aside, I've not noticed a decrease in size, and there is some discoloration on the skin area around it. I don't care about the discoloration, I just want it gone. Will report back as it's only been 4 weeks. Trying to stay positive because who wants warts... I was pretty depressed initially."

• hid...
• April 17, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "Side effects were red, blistering, discomfort. I would feel nausea and swollen lymph under my armpit. Directions from my doctor were to use it morning and night every other day. I was disgusted having warts, so I used it every day. It's been exactly 2 weeks using it, my warts are cleared. I'll put the cream on and let it dry, then rub a little aloe vera on top to soothe it. It helps with the irritation and is clearing the redness and swelling from imiquimod. It really feels like a bad sunburn rash."

• 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."

• Kia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2015

For Human Papilloma Virus "So when I first did my research, I was scared because I saw the word cancer. I thought to myself, I'm too young for cancer, just graduating. When I went to my doctor, they gave me this cream. The first few days were okay, then I started getting sensitive everywhere, including my breasts, and felt really sick to my stomach, can't really hold food down. My genitals are red and bleeding, the warts area is cleared for the most part, just my actual vaginal area that is killing me. It burns to go to the bathroom, nonstop pains, and every time I move. Hopefully, I am able to get better."

• 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."

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

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "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."

• Spa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2019

For Human Papilloma Virus "I had genital warts 10 years ago that I cleared with Condylox and with time, but they came back a few weeks ago. I was kind of bummed and confused because I had read everywhere that cases usually clear in two years and don’t return. This is my first time using Aldara. I’m a week in and I was applying 3 days in a row and then 4 off. The first two days had no side effects. I am on day 2 of my “off” cycle and my flu-like symptoms are insane. Extreme chills, aches, fever, nausea. I was a little scared but realized it was from the Aldara. I’m going to use less next time and use it every other day. I’ve also developed a Bartholin cyst (which I’m prone to) during this treatment, so it’s extra painful. Fingers crossed!"

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

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "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."

• Sti...
• January 5, 2018

Imiquimod topical for Keratosis "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."

• imF...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2017

For Human Papilloma Virus "I'm a 27-year-old male. I've had HPV for maybe 5 years from what I know. My ex-girlfriend gave it to me. I have two small genital warts on the area between my scrotum and anus. It's such a weird area. The area is itchy and rashing. My doctor treated it early on, but it was temporary. He just prescribed me Zyclara. I just applied my first dose, and within not even a minute after crawling into bed, I started to feel weird. I knew something was wrong. I got insanely nauseous, my heart started beating fast like I was anxious, I started sweating, and I almost passed out. I was freaking out. I got up and looked in the mirror, and I was pale white. My eyes were dilated, and I had trouble breathing. I wiped it off, and now I'm here writing this."