| Item |
Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved; investigational |
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Description
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Imiquimod is an immune response modifier that acts as a toll-like receptor 7 agonist. Imiquimod is commonly used topically to treat warts on the skin of the genital and anal areas. Imiquimod does not cure warts, and new warts may appear during treatment. Imiquimod does not fight the viruses that cause warts directly, however, it does help to relieve and control wart production. miquimod is also used to treat a skin condition of the face and scalp called actinic keratoses and certain types of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma. |
| Indication |
For the topical treatment of clinically typical, nonhyperkeratotic, nonhypertrophic actinic keratoses on the face or scalp in immunocompetent adults. Also indicated for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts/condyloma acuminata in individuals 12 years old and above. |
| Pharmacology |
Imiquimod is an immune response modifier that acts as a toll-like receptor 7 agonist. Imiquimod is commonly used topically to treat warts on the skin of the genital and anal areas. Imiquimod does not cure warts, and new warts may appear during treatment. Imiquimod does not fight the viruses that cause warts directly, however, it does help to relieve and control wart production. It is not used on warts inside the vagina, penis, or rectum. Imiquimod is also used to treat a skin condition of the face and scalp called actinic keratoses. Imiquimod can also be used to treat certain types of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma. Imiquimod is particularly useful on areas where surgery or other treatments may be difficult, complicated or otherwise undesirable, especially the face and lower legs. |
| Toxicity |
Symptoms of overdose include flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhoea and muscle pain. |
| Affected Organisms |
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Humans and other mammals |
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| Absorption |
Well absorbed through skin (as a cream) |
| Half Life |
20 hours (topical dose), 2 hours (subcutaneous dose) |
| References |
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[Link]
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van Egmond S, Hoedemaker C, Sinclair R: Successful treatment of perianal Bowen's disease with imiquimod. Int J Dermatol. 2007 Mar;46(3):318-9.
[Pubmed]
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Hemmi H, Kaisho T, Takeuchi O, Sato S, Sanjo H, Hoshino K, Horiuchi T, Tomizawa H, Takeda K, Akira S: Small anti-viral compounds activate immune cells via the TLR7 MyD88-dependent signaling pathway. Nat Immunol. 2002 Feb;3(2):196-200. Epub 2002 Jan 22.
[Pubmed]
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Bilu D, Sauder DN: Imiquimod: modes of action. Br J Dermatol. 2003 Nov;149 Suppl 66:5-8.
[Pubmed]
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Miller RL, Gerster JF, Owens ML, Slade HB, Tomai MA: Imiquimod applied topically: a novel immune response modifier and new class of drug. Int J Immunopharmacol. 1999 Jan;21(1):1-14.
[Pubmed]
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| External Links |
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