Aldara (Imiquimod 5%) as a Treatment Option for Actinic Keratosis

Aldara (Imiquimod 5%) is a topical medication that belong to a group called immune response modifiers. These immune modifiers help the body identify the actinic keratosis, and to activate and aid the immune system in destroying the foreign lesions.

This medication is also used for treating warts or skin cancer, through the same mechanism.

The advantage of topical therapy is that it can be used to treat large or multiple lesions which would be unsuited for surgical removal or physical destruction.
Another advantage of topical therapy is that it is generally less traumatizing, and painful, and is far less likely to leave any permanent scars. On the other hand, patients should consider the fact that topical medications take a much longer time to take effect, ranging from weeks to several months before the actinic keratosis is cleared.
The therapy itself can also cause inflammation and discomfort.

Aldara is to be applied twice a week to the affected lesion, after washing the area. The medication is to be left on the lesion for 8 hours, and then washed off.

This treatment regimen is to be kept up for up to 16 weeks, or as recommended by your doctor.

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