Main content Imiquimod

Imiquimod

How Well It Works

Genital warts

Studies report:

Many genital warts go away within 4 months of treatment.^{Reference 1}
Imiquimod 5% cream is more effective than 1% cream for genital warts.^{Reference 1}

After using imiquimod, there is up to a 20% chance the warts will come back.^{Reference 2}

Basal cell carcinoma

Studies show that more than 75 out of 100 superficial basal cell carcinomas cleared when imiquimod cream was applied. Imiquimod may prove to be beneficial in treating large, superficial basal cell carcinomas on the trunk of the body, where surgical treatment can cause severe scarring.^{Reference 3}

Actinic keratoses

Studies show that imiquimod is an effective treatment, with lasting results, for actinic keratoses.^{Reference 4}

Common warts

Whether imiquimod is an effective treatment for common warts is not yet known.

By:	Reference Healthwise Staff	Last Revised: June 21, 2012
Medical Review:	Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology