Warts usually shrink and disappear within 1 to 4 months of using treatment. You’ll need to use the cream as instructed until all the warts have gone.

Genital warts can’t be cured, so you’ll need to treat each new outbreak.

Aldara cream is a prescription only treatment. It’s not available to buy over the counter. One of our clinicians can prescribe Aldara for you, if suitable.

You shouldn’t use Aldara cream if:

• You have open sores; you should wait for these to heal.
• You have internal warts. Do not apply the cream internally.
• You have issues with your immune system because of an illness (HIV) or medication. Let our clinicians know about any conditions or medication when requesting treatment.  

Aldara cream can weaken condoms and diaphragms, so you may need to use additional contraception if you’re having sex. It’s recommended that you don’t have vaginal or oral sex until the warts have gone.  

Genital warts can’t be cured, only managed with treatment. It’s unlikely that they will reappear after using Aldara, however when your immune system is under stress you may have an outbreak.  

The virus that causes genital warts can be passed on during sex. Aldara cream may make latex condoms and diaphragms weaker, increasing the risk that they will break. If you still plan to be sexually active while you still have warts, you should apply Aldara cream after sex, not before, and use condoms.

Please inform us of all medical conditions in your questionnaire. If you are HIV positive or pregnant, this could affect how suitable Aldara is for you. 

You should be able to use Aldara cream alongside other medicines. However, it is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Aldara cream safely.

If your genital warts are soft to the touch, we can prescribe you Warticon wart cream (containing podophyllotoxin). This is an effective treatment for soft warts.

Other stronger creams may contain the active ingredient trichloroacetic acid (TCA). These can only be administered by a medical professional as it can cause physical damage and pain if incorrectly applied.

In some cases, having warts physically removed may be appropriate, either through laser surgery, excision, electrosurgery or cryotherapy.