The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Skin reaction (33% total), including itching (20%), burning (6%), bleeding, stinging, and pain
- Common cold symptoms (15%)
- Sinus inflammation (7%)
- Headache (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Eczema
- Skin cancer
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Back pain
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Viral infection
- Chills
- Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
- Urinary tract infection
- Hair loss
Imiquimod serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe skin reactions
- Difficulty urinating due to genital swelling
Source: DailyMed
The following Imiquimod side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Blisters on the skin
body aches or pain
chills
difficulty with breathing
ear congestion
itching in the genital or other skin areas
loss of voice
open sores or scabs on the skin
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
redness of the skin (severe)
scaling
shortness of breath or troubled breathing
skin rash
stuffy or runny nose
tightness of the chest or wheezing
unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Abdominal or stomach pain
ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
blurred vision
difficult, burning, or painful urination
dizziness
fainting
fast or irregular heartbeat
frequent urge to urinate
hoarseness
joint stiffness or swelling
lower back or side pain
lump in the abdomen or stomach
nervousness
persistent non-healing sore
pink growth on the skin
pounding in the ears
reddish patch or irritated area
severe headache
shiny bump on the skin
slow or fast heartbeat
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
white, yellow or waxy scar-like area
Incidence not known
Blue lips and fingernails
convulsions
coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
dilated neck veins
extreme fatigue
fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
headache
irregular breathing
nausea or vomiting
pain in the shoulders, arms, jaw, or neck
slurred speech
sudden and severe inability to speak
suicide
sweating
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
temporary blindness
weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Burning or stinging of the skin (mild)
flaking of the skin
mild headache
pain, soreness, or tenderness of the skin (mild)
rash
redness of the skin (mild)
swelling at place of application
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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