Cancer drugs A to Z list
Imiquimod cream is an
It is a treatment for:
that is small and in the top layer of the skin
a skin condition called
some non cancerous conditions such as warts around the genitals and anus
Imiquimod cream uses your body’s own to help kill the skin cancer cells. It works by releasing a number of chemicals called . One of these cytokines is called interferon.
Imiquimod cream helps your body´s own immune system to produce natural substances which help fight your basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis or the virus that has caused your warts.
Imiquimod cream comes in a tube or individual sachets. You use it before going to bed. You wash your hands and the cancer area with mild soap and water. After you have dried your hands and the cancer thoroughly you put on the cream.
You use enough cream to cover the cancer and 1cm (about a half inch) around it. Rub the area until the cream disappears. Leave the cream on for 8 hours. Do not shower or bathe during this time.
When using it for basal cell carcinoma you leave the cream on for 8 hours and then wash it off.
You might not use all the cream if you are using the sachets. Do not keep the remaining cream you must use a new sachet each time.
How you have imiquimod cream depends on your individual situation.
Basal cell carcinoma
You usually put imiquimod cream on to the affected area once a day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks.
Actinic (solar) keratosis
You usually put imiquimod cream on to the affected area once a day, 3 days a week for 4 weeks.
If you still have areas of actinic (solar) keratosis you may repeat this process for another 4 weeks. Your doctor will let you know if this is the case.
Side effects can vary from person to person. They also depend on what other treatment you are having.
Your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will go through the possible side effects. They will monitor you closely during treatment and check how you are at your appointments. Contact your advice line as soon as possible if:
you have severe side effects
your side effects aren’t getting any better
your side effects are getting worse
We haven't listed all the side effects here. Talk to your healthcare team if you have any new symptoms that you think might be a side effect of your treatment.
Remember it is very unlikely that you will have all of these side effects, but you might have some of them at the same time.
Your skin might be itchy with this treatment. This side effect happens in more than 10 in 100 people (more than 10%).
Let your doctor or nurse know if you have this.
These side effects happen in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people (between 1 and 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
small bumps on the skin that contain fluid, pus (pustules) or other matter. This could mean there is an infection.
swollen lymph nodes
back pain
problems at the application site including pain, redness, rash, burning, bleeding, tingling, prickling, bumps
loss of appetite
headache
feeling sick
muscle or joint pain
tiredness and lacking energy (fatigue)
These side effects happen in fewer than 1 in 100 people (fewer than 1%). You might have one or more of them. They include:
a runny or stuffy nose
red, itchy or swollen eyes
pain in your throat
feeling moody and irritable
diarrhoea
dry mouth
swollen face
skin ulcer
a temperature
flu-like symptoms
feeling cold and shivery
at the site of application swelling, redness, leaking fluid, inflammation, scabs, small cysts, breakdown of the skin, skin feeling warm
We have more information about side effects and tips on how to cope with them.
Cancer drugs can interact with medicines, herbal products, and some food and drinks. We are unable to list all the possible interactions that may happen. An example is grapefruit or grapefruit juice which can increase the side effects of certain drugs.
Tell your healthcare team about any medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies. Also let them know about any other medical conditions or allergies you may have.
It is unknown whether treatment may or may not harm a baby developing in the womb. It is important not to become pregnant or get someone pregnant while you are having treatment. Let your team know straight away if you or your partner become pregnant while having treatment.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about effective contraception you can use during treatment. Ask how long you should use it before starting treatment and after treatment has finished.
It is not known whether this drug comes through into the breast milk. Doctors usually advise that you don’t breastfeed during this treatment.
If you are having tests or treatment for anything else, always mention your cancer treatment. For example, if you are visiting your dentist.
For further information about this treatment and possible side effects go to the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) website. You can find the patient information leaflet on this website.
You can report any side effect you have to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as part of their Yellow Card Scheme.
Last reviewed: 18 Jul 2025
Next review due: 18 Jul 2028
Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other rare types. They tend to develop most often on skin that has been exposed to the sun.
Melanoma develops in cells called melanocytes. You have these in your skin and other parts of your body. Melanoma that starts in the skin is called melanoma skin cancer.
Targeted cancer drugs work by ‘targeting’ those differences that help a cancer cell to survive and grow. Immunotherapy uses our immune system to fight cancer. Find out more about the different types of treatment.
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