What should you know about imiquimod prescription?

A prescription means the treatment has been chosen for a particular diagnosis, body site and skin history. Imiquimod is applied to the affected area rather than taken by mouth. It helps activate a local immune response, so the treated skin may become red, swollen, flaky or tender while the medicine is working. The expected schedule depends on the condition and the product strength; do not copy someone else’s instructions.

It is not suitable for every lesion or every location. A clinician may need to examine a changing, bleeding or uncertain spot before treatment begins, because a cream should not replace diagnosis or appropriate removal of a suspicious lesion.

Follow the label and prescriber’s directions for how much to use, which nights to apply it and when to wash it off. Wash your hands before and after application, keep the product away from the eyes and mouth, and use it only on the prescribed skin. Avoid covering the area unless your clinician specifically tells you to. Do not apply extra cream after a missed dose; ask the prescriber or pharmacist how to resume.

Keep follow-up appointments so the response can be checked. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, breastfeeding, immune conditions, medicines used on the same area and any previous reaction to imiquimod.

Contact your prescriber if the reaction becomes difficult to tolerate, spreads beyond the treated area, interferes with sleep or daily activities, or does not settle during the planned treatment break. Seek urgent medical help for facial swelling, trouble breathing, faintness, widespread blistering or a rapidly worsening rash. A severe reaction may require stopping the medicine until a clinician advises what to do.

Ask which diagnosis is being treated, exactly where the cream belongs, what reaction is expected, what to do if you miss an application, and when the treated area should be reviewed.