Imiquimod/salicylic acid/tretinoin topical Disease Interactions

Topical retinoids may cause severe irritation on eczematous skin. Therapy with topical retinoids should be avoided on abraded or eczematous skin.

Imiquimod may exacerbate inflammatory conditions of the skin. Local reactions are commonly associated with the use of imiquimod and may extend beyond the application site onto the surrounding skin. These reactions include erythema, edema, vesicles, erosion/ulceration, weeping/exudate, flaking/scaling/dryness, and scabbing/crusting. Therapy with topical imiquimod should be avoided or used with caution in patients with eczematous conditions.

The use of imiquimod may be associated with heightened sunburn susceptibility. Patients with sunburn should be cautioned not to use imiquimod until fully recovered. Exposure to sunlight, including sunlamps, should be avoided or minimized during treatment, and protective clothing (e.g., hat) is recommended when exposure is unavoidable.

Retinoid-like products can cause extreme irritation when applied to sunburned skin. Patients with sunburn should be cautioned not to use retinoid-like acne products until fully recovered, and to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight (including sunlamps) and use sunscreen/protective clothing during treatment with these products.