Generic Aldara (Imiquimod Cream)

Product Specification

Product Description

Generic Aldara (Imiquimod Cream) Aldara Cream 5% is a topical treatment for several skin conditions including solar or actinic keratoses, patches of scaly sun-damaged pre-cancerous skin on the face and scalp. Aldara Cream 5% is also used to treat basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, where the lesion cannot be removed by surgery because of the location, especially the face and lower legs; or is not considered appropriate for other reasons. Aldara Cream 5% is also used to treat external genital and perianal warts, which are warts on the surface of the genitals and around the anus and are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus. Aldara Cream 5% contains imiquimod, an immunomodifier that acts as antiviral and antitumour agent by stimulating a local cell-mediated immune response in the area of skin where the cream is applied. Imiquimod in Aldara Cream 5% activates immune cells in the outer layer of the skin by binding to a specific receptor, toll-like receptor 7 or TLR7 that is involved in recognising pathogens like viruses. Immune cells activated via TLR7 secrete chemicals called cytokines, such as interferon and interleukin-6 that are involved in fighting invasion by pathogens like papillomavirus, which causes genital and perianal warts. The immune cells in the skin that are activated by Aldara Cream 5% to produce cytokines, also stimulate the infiltration of other immune cells like macrophages, specialised T-lymphocytes and dendritic cells, which work together to destroy tumour cells when Aldara Cream 5% is used for basal cell carcinoma lesions. They also induce inflammatory reactions in the skin, which help destroy the lesions caused by pre-cancerous solar keratoses which are sun-damaged skin cells. When the inflammation settles and the damaged cells are destroyed, the scaly lesions are replaced by new skin.