Severe reaction to 5% imiquimod cream with excellent clinical and cosmetic outcomes

H L Greenberg; Joel L Cohen; Ted Rosen; Ida Orengo

Severe reaction to 5% imiquimod cream with excellent clinical and cosmetic outcomes

J Drugs Dermatol. 2007 Apr;6(4):452-8.

Authors

H L Greenberg¹, Joel L Cohen, Ted Rosen, Ida Orengo

Affiliation

¹ Division of Dermatology, Scott & White Memorial Hospital and Clinic,; Scott, Sherwood and Brindley Foundation, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA.

PMID: 17668546

Abstract

Imiquimod, an immune response modifier approved for the treatment of external genital warts, actinic keratoses, and superficial basal cell carcinoma, can induce a severe local inflammatory response. This phenomenon can accompany inappropriately overzealous, as well as entirely conventional, drug utilization. Despite strikingly brisk reactions, the 9 patients reported herein ultimately experienced excellent cosmetic and clinical outcomes. We report this series to alert clinicians of the good prognosis for a satisfactory outcome even when faced with extreme imiquimod cream-induced inflammation.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
Adjuvants, Immunologic / adverse effects
Adjuvants, Immunologic / chemistry
Administration, Topical
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aminoquinolines / administration & dosage
Aminoquinolines / adverse effects*
Aminoquinolines / chemistry
Cheilitis / chemically induced
Cheilitis / drug therapy
Drug Eruptions / drug therapy
Drug Eruptions / etiology*
Female
Humans
Imiquimod
Keratosis / chemically induced
Keratosis / drug therapy
Male
Middle Aged
Ointments
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Adjuvants, Immunologic
Aminoquinolines
Ointments
Imiquimod