Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).
Instructions for Administration
Imiquimod Cream should be used as directed by a physician.Imiquimod Cream is for external use only. Contact with the eyes, lips, nostrils, anus and vagina should be avoided [see Indications and Usage (1) and Dosage and Administration (2)].
The treatment area should not be bandaged or otherwise occluded. Pumps should be discarded after completion of a full treatment course. The prescriber should demonstrate the proper application technique to maximize the benefit of Imiquimod Cream therapy.
It is recommended that patients wash their hands before and after applying Imiquimod Cream.
Local Skin Reactions
Patients may experience local skin reactions during treatment with Imiquimod Cream. Potential local skin reactions include erythema, edema, erosions/ulcerations, weeping/exudate, flaking/scaling/dryness, and scabbing/crusting. These reactions can range from mild to severe in intensity and may extend beyond the application site onto the surrounding skin. Patients may also experience application site reactions such as itching, irritation or pain [see Adverse Reactions (6)].
Local skin reactions may be of such an intensity that patients may require rest periods from treatment. Treatment with Imiquimod Cream can be resumed after the skin reaction has subsided, as determined by the physician. However, for actinic keratosis, each treatment cycle should not be extended beyond 2 weeks due to missed doses or rest periods. For external genital warts, treatment should not be extended beyond 8 weeks due to missed doses or rest periods. Patients should contact their physician promptly if they experience any sign or symptom at the application site that restricts or prohibits their daily activity or makes continued application of the cream difficult.
Because of local skin reactions, during treatment and until healed, the treatment area is likely to appear noticeably different from normal skin. Localized hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation have been reported following use of imiquimod cream. These skin color changes may be permanent in some patients.
Systemic Reactions
Patients may experience flu-like systemic signs and symptoms during treatment with Imiquimod Cream. Systemic signs and symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, fever, myalgia, malaise, arthralgia, and chills [see Adverse Reactions (6)].An interruption of dosing and an assessment of the patient should be considered.
Patients Being Treated for Actinic Keratosis (AK)
Dosing is once daily before bedtime to the skin of the affected area (entire face or balding scalp) for two 2-week treatment cycles separated by a 2-week no-treatment period. However, the treatment period should not be extended beyond two 2-week treatment cycles due to missed doses or rest periods. Treatment should continue for the full treatment course even if all actinic keratoses appear to be gone [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].
It is recommended that patients wash their hands before and after applying Imiquimod Cream. Before applying the cream, the patient should wash the treatment area with mild soap and water and allow the area to dry thoroughly.
It is recommended that the treatment area be washed with mild soap and water 8 hours following Imiquimod Cream application.
Most patients using Imiquimod Cream for the treatment of AK experience erythema, flaking/scaling/dryness, and scabbing/crusting at the application site with normal dosing [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Use of sunscreen is encouraged, and patients should minimize or avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight (tanning beds or UVA/B treatment) while using Imiquimod Cream [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Additional lesions may become apparent in the treatment area during treatment [see Clinical Studies (14.1)].
Patients Being Treated for External Genital Warts (EGW)
Dosing is once daily before bedtime to the skin of the affected wart areas. Imiquimod Cream treatment should continue until there is total clearance of the genital/perianal warts or for up to 8 weeks.
It is recommended that the treatment area be washed with mild soap and water approximately 8 hours following Imiquimod Cream application.
It is common for patients to experience local skin reactions (i.e., erythema, erosion, exudate, flaking/scaling, scabbing/crusting and edema) at the site of application or surrounding areas.
Sexual (genital, anal, oral) contact should be avoided while Imiquimod Cream is on the skin. Application of Imiquimod Cream in the vagina is considered internal and should be avoided. Female patients should take special care if applying the cream at the opening of the vagina because local skin reactions on the delicate moist surfaces can result in pain or swelling, and may cause difficulty in passing urine.
Uncircumcised males treating warts under the foreskin should retract the foreskin and clean the area daily.
New warts may develop during therapy, as Imiquimod Cream is not a cure.
The effect of Imiquimod Cream on the transmission of genital/perianal warts is unknown.
Imiquimod Cream may weaken condoms and vaginal diaphragms, therefore concurrent use is not recommended.
Should severe local skin reactions occur, the cream should be removed by washing the treatment area with mild soap and water.
Manufactured for:
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Manufactured by:
Bausch Health Companies Inc.
Laval, Quebec H7L 4A8, Canada
U.S. Patent Numbers: 8,236,816; 8,299,109; 8,598,196; 8,642,616; 9,078,889; 9,271,973; 10,238,644 and 10,238,645 for Imiquimod Cream 3.75%
U.S. Patent Numbers: 8,222,270 and 9,370,509 for Imiquimod Cream 2.5%