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The medication imiquimod carries several important safety warnings that you should be aware of before use. It is crucial to consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or experience any adverse effects.

• Skin Inflammation: Severe skin irritation may occur with imiquimod. If you have recently had surgery or used another medication, ensure that the skin is fully healed before starting imiquimod. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice blisters, weeping, severe peeling, or have difficulty urinating due to genital swelling. You may need to pause treatment until these symptoms subside.

• Flu-like Symptoms: The use of imiquimod can lead to symptoms similar to the flu, such as fever, nausea, aches, chills, or swollen lymph nodes. Notify your healthcare provider promptly, as you might need to discontinue use until your condition improves.

• Sun Sensitivity: Imiquimod can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight, including artificial sources like sunlamps and UV light. It is advisable to avoid direct sun exposure and tanning. Use sunscreen and protective clothing if exposure is unavoidable. If you have a sunburn, wait until it heals before applying imiquimod to that area. Discuss with your provider whether this medication is suitable for you if your lifestyle involves prolonged sun exposure or frequent sunburns.

• Actinic Keratosis Caution (Aldara only): Insufficient research exists to confirm the safety of using imiquimod on the same actinic keratosis area for multiple treatment cycles. If your condition did not fully respond to the initial treatment or has recurred, consult your provider. Avoid using imiquimod on large areas (exceeding 5 cm x 5 cm) unless advised by your provider.

• Not for Other Skin Cancers (Aldara only): Imiquimod is intended for treating basal cell carcinoma on the skin's surface located on the torso, neck, arms (excluding hands), or legs (excluding feet). It is not advised for use on the face, head, anus, genitals, or for treating more severe or invasive skin cancers. Regular follow-ups with your provider are necessary to ensure proper tumor healing.

• Not for HPV (Aldara only): Imiquimod does not cure human papillomavirus (HPV), meaning new warts can still develop and be contagious. For HPV-related inquiries, consult your healthcare provider.

• Avoid Using with Other Imiquimod Medications (Zyclara only): Consult your provider before using if you are on other imiquimod-containing products, as combining them can increase the risk and severity of side effects.

• Autoimmune Disease Caution (Zyclara only): Imiquimod activates immune cells, which may exacerbate autoimmune conditions. If you have an autoimmune disorder or an overactive immune system, seek advice from your healthcare provider before using this medication, as it may trigger a flare-up.

When using this medication, you might experience some common side effects, generally mild, such as skin reactions like redness, swelling, itching, burning, and pain. Occasionally, the skin may thicken or harden, peel, flake, scab, crust, or leak a clear fluid. Changes in skin color might occur and could be long-lasting. If any of these effects persist or worsen, it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider. Mild symptoms may also include headache, loss of appetite, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, back pain, fatigue, and symptoms resembling a common cold, like sinus inflammation.

Some individuals may encounter other side effects such as eczema, vomiting, viral infections, chills, and urinary tract infections. Although uncommon, hair loss, atrial fibrillation, and skin cancer have been reported. These should be discussed with your healthcare provider if they occur.

Serious side effects, although rare, require immediate medical attention. These include severe skin reactions like bleeding, sores, blisters, or ulcers, flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and unusual skin growths. Additionally, any signs of a severe allergic reaction like rash, severe dizziness, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, and trouble breathing are critical. Difficulty urinating due to genital swelling is also serious and needs urgent care. Always seek immediate medical advice if these severe reactions occur.