Is imiquimod effective and safe for actinic keratosis?
Imiquimod 5% cream, applied 3 times per week for 12 weeks, is effective for treatment of actinic keratosis. Severe erythema and other local reactions occurred in almost everyone receiving treatment, due to imiquimod's immune system-modulating effects. The 25 patients in the treatment group tolerated these adverse effects well. Despite these effects, imiquimod can be used as an alternative to traditional cryotherapy for the treatment of actinic keratosis among selected, motivated
Walker
J Kendall
JK
Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, USA. WalkerJK@health.missouri.edu
Koenig
Clint
C
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012449:Safety; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod