Written byDr. Adeline Carol PetersBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) — Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
Last updated:
Key Information
What is Aldara 5% Cream?
Aldara 5% Cream is a topical medicine containing imiquimod 5% w/w.
The cream is supplied in single-use sachets, with pack options listed on DoctorOnCall including 1 sachet and 12 sachets.
Each 250mg sachet contains 12.5mg of imiquimod.
The cream is intended for external application to the skin, and the product should be handled according to the accompanying leaflet and packaging instructions.
Is this strength right for me?
Check the product name and 5% strength on the packaging before opening a sachet.
The application schedule and contact time depend on the directions provided for the product. Read the leaflet carefully and follow the stated instructions.
Do not apply the cream to open wounds, sunburnt skin, or areas not specified in the product instructions.
If you have sensitive skin, an autoimmune condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medicines that affect your immune system, ask a pharmacist whether additional precautions are needed.
Do not apply more cream or leave it on for longer than instructed.
Delivery, packaging and ordering
Select your preferred pack size from the options available on DoctorOnCall.
Review the product details and delivery information before completing your order.
Aldara 5% Cream is listed as a non-prescription product on DoctorOnCall Malaysia. Check the current product listing and packaging for the applicable supply requirements.
When your parcel arrives, check the product name, strength, sachet quantity, batch number and expiry date.
Contact DoctorOnCall customer support if the item received differs from your order or the packaging appears damaged.
Side effects, safety and when to seek help
Stop applying the cream and contact a pharmacist or healthcare professional if the skin reaction becomes severe, painful or difficult to manage.
Avoid contact with the eyes, lips, nostrils and other areas not specified in the product leaflet.
Do not apply other creams or topical medicines to the same area unless the product instructions or a healthcare professional indicate that this is appropriate.
Seek urgent medical attention if you develop severe swelling, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or another serious or unexpected reaction.
How to apply your Aldara 5% Cream
Read the instructions first. Check the package leaflet and confirm the application schedule and contact time stated for your particular circumstances. Do not assume that the same schedule applies to everyone.
Prepare the skin. Wash your hands and the specified skin area gently with mild soap and water, then dry thoroughly before application.
Apply a thin layer. Open a new sachet and apply the amount directed in the product instructions to the specified area. Gently rub the cream into the skin as instructed, avoiding contact with the eyes, lips and nostrils.
Wash and discard. Wash your hands after application. When the stated contact time has elapsed, wash the area with mild soap and water as directed. Discard the opened sachet and any remaining cream; do not save it for another application.
Delivery & Returns
Malaysia-wide delivery
No prescription needed
Licensed pharmacy
Doctor consultation
If your order arrives damaged
Do not apply Aldara 5% Cream if the outer packaging is damaged, a sachet is torn or open, or the product appears to have been tampered with.
Check that the product name, strength and pack quantity match your order.
Take clear photographs of the parcel, delivery label and product packaging.
Contact DoctorOnCall customer support through WhatsApp and provide your order details and photographs.
Keep the product and packaging until the support team advises you on the next steps.
After reviewing the issue, the team can advise whether a replacement or another resolution is available under the applicable policy.
Returns policy
For safety reasons, medicines may not be eligible for return or exchange once they have left the pharmacy, except where the applicable policy allows it for a verified delivery issue.
If you receive an incorrect, damaged or incomplete order, contact customer support within 24 hours of delivery. Provide your order details and photographs so the team can review the issue. Do not apply the cream if the packaging is damaged or its quality is in question.
The application schedule depends on the condition being treated: external genital and perianal warts are commonly treated three times a week on alternate nights for up to 16 weeks, while actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma follow different regimens determined by your doctor. Do not apply more frequently or for longer than prescribed, as this increases the risk of significant local skin irritation without improving treatment outcomes.
Shelf Life
Aldara 5% Cream is typically stable for up to 24 to 36 months from the date of manufacture when stored correctly and unopened; always check the expiry date printed on the sachet or packaging and do not use cream that has expired. Individual sachets are intended for single use and any unused portion should be discarded after application.
Storage Instructions
Do
Store Aldara 5% Cream according to the instructions printed on the packaging. The Malaysian product pack states that it should be stored below 30°C and protected from freezing.
Keep each sachet in its original packaging until needed.
Store the product in a dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.
Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
Check the expiry date before opening a sachet.
Don't
Don’t store the cream in a hot car or damp bathroom.
Don’t freeze the product.
Don’t use a sachet that is torn, opened or damaged before use.
Don’t reuse an opened sachet or keep leftover cream for another application.
Don’t apply the cream after the expiry date.
Side Effects
Aldara Cream may cause skin reactions at the treated area. Some local reactions are expected during treatment, but their severity can vary. Other symptoms may affect the whole body or require medical assessment.
Redness, Swelling or Skin Erosion
The treated area may become red, swollen or develop superficial skin erosion. These reactions can occur as part of the local treatment response, but severe or worsening reactions need medical advice.
Itching or Burning
Itching, stinging or a burning sensation may develop on the treated skin. Monitor the intensity and report significant discomfort to your healthcare professional.
Scabbing or Peeling
The skin may develop scabs or begin to peel during treatment. Avoid picking or scratching the affected area, as this may aggravate irritation.
Skin Thickening
The treated skin may feel thicker or firmer than usual. Tell your healthcare professional if the change is persistent, pronounced or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Some people may experience tiredness, headache or muscle aches. These symptoms may be more noticeable when larger areas of skin are being treated. Contact your healthcare professional if symptoms are severe, persistent or accompanied by fever or significant discomfort.
Changes in Skin Colour
Uncommon changes in skin colour may occur at the treated site. These changes can sometimes persist after treatment has ended. Seek medical advice if the affected area develops lasting or concerning changes.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Contact your healthcare professional if you experience severe skin reactions, marked swelling, open sores, significant pain, or flu-like symptoms that are severe or do not improve. Follow the product leaflet or your prescriber’s instructions about whether to pause treatment. Seek urgent medical care for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or throat.
Side effects can vary between individuals. This information does not replace the Aldara Cream product leaflet or advice from a healthcare professional. Do not change your treatment schedule without consulting your prescriber.
Contraindications
Known hypersensitivity to imiquimod or any component of the cream
Application to open wounds, broken skin, or mucous membranes beyond the specifically diagnosed and doctor-approved treatment area
Use without a confirmed diagnosis from a doctor, as imiquimod is not appropriate for undiagnosed skin lesions
Caution advised in patients with pre-existing autoimmune conditions, who should discuss use with their doctor first
Drug / Food Interactions
Avoid using other topical treatments on the same area at the same time unless specifically advised by your doctor
Sun exposure to the treated area should be minimised, as imiquimod can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight
Inform your doctor of any other skin treatments, immune-suppressing medicines, or ongoing skin conditions before starting treatment
No significant food interactions are expected, as this is a topical, not oral, medicine
Quick Tips
Follow the exact application schedule given by your doctor for your specific condition, as regimens differ between warts, actinic keratosis, and basal cell carcinoma
Expect some local skin reaction such as redness or erosion, as this is often a sign the immune response is working, but tell your doctor if reactions become severe or the area becomes very painful
Wash hands thoroughly before and after each application to avoid spreading the cream to unaffected skin or other people
Avoid sexual contact during treatment of genital or perianal warts, as the cream may weaken condoms and diaphragms and the treated skin may be more sensitive
Attend all follow-up appointments so your doctor can assess your response to treatment and monitor the treated area
This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if prescribed by a doctor after careful evaluation.
Breastfeeding
Limited Data
Limited data on excretion in breast milk. Consult a doctor before use.
Kidney
Generally Safe
Generally safe, but caution may be required in some patients.
Liver
Use With Care
Use cautiously. Liver function monitoring may be required.
Alcohol
Generally Safe
Consuming alcohol with this medicine is generally safe, but moderate intake is advised.
Driving
Generally Safe
This medicine is generally safe and should not impair your driving ability.
Relevant Information
Aldara 5% Cream requires confirmed diagnosis and ongoing medical follow-up, as the treatment area needs regular monitoring to assess response and to distinguish an expected treatment reaction from an excessive or infected reaction requiring a pause in treatment. Patients should never use this cream on a self-diagnosed lesion or share it with another person, as the correct regimen depends entirely on the specific, doctor-confirmed skin condition being treated.
How to buy
Go to the DoctorOnCall website
Visit DoctorOnCall and search for Aldara 5% Cream. Review the product details and select the available pack size.
Place your order
Check your selection, enter your delivery details and follow the checkout instructions to complete your order.
Pharmacy processing
Your order will be processed in accordance with DoctorOnCall’s pharmacy procedures and the applicable supply requirements. Check your order confirmation for updates.
Receive your delivery
When your parcel arrives, check that the packaging is intact and that the product name, strength, sachet quantity and expiry date match your order. Read the accompanying leaflet before opening a sachet.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Aldara 5% Cream is a non-prescription product and can be ordered without a prescription. It is still dispensed by a registered pharmacist on DoctorOnCall.
Aldara 5% Cream is a cream containing Imiquimod 5%. The full ingredient list is shown in the Composition or Ingredients section on this page and on the product packaging.
It is supplied in pack sizes of 12s and 1s. Choose the pack size you need from the options shown on this page before adding the item to your cart.
This page is limited to product, safety and handling information in line with Malaysian rules on medicine information. If you want advice on whether this product suits you, book an online consultation with a doctor or pharmacist on DoctorOnCall.
Follow the instructions printed on the label and in the leaflet supplied with the pack, and do not exceed the stated amount or duration. Handling steps are set out in the Directions for Use section on this page.
Yes. DoctorOnCall offers online consultations with licensed doctors and registered pharmacists, so you can ask about this product, your existing medicines, or anything on the label before you place an order.
Store below 25°C in a dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture, in the original packaging until ready to use. Keep out of reach of children and pets at all times. Keep it in its original pack and do not use it after the expiry date printed on the packaging.
Stop using the product and speak to a doctor or pharmacist about any reaction that concerns you. Seek medical care immediately for signs of a severe reaction such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or a widespread rash. Reported reactions are listed in the Side Effects section on this page.
Within Malaysia, standard delivery takes 3 to 5 working days. Same-day delivery is available in the Klang Valley for orders placed before 12pm; orders placed after 12pm arrive by the end of the next day.
Orders to Singapore are sent as international deliveries and take 5 to 9 working days. A lump-sum shipping and handling fee applies to every overseas delivery and is shown at checkout.
Customers in Malaysia can pay by FPX online banking, credit or debit card (Visa and Mastercard), and supported e-wallets including Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GrabPay and ShopeePay.
FPX and local e-wallets are tied to Malaysian bank and wallet accounts, so if your delivery address is in Singapore, use the payment options displayed at checkout for that address rather than assuming the same list applies.
Yes. DoctorOnCall ships to Singapore as an international order dispatched from Malaysia, arriving in 5 to 9 working days with a lump-sum shipping and handling fee.
Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) allows personal imports of up to three months’ supply of a medicine for your own use or an immediate family member’s, as long as it contains no controlled drugs, psychotropic substances or prohibited items. Keep the product in its original labelled packaging and keep a copy of your prescription or doctor’s letter with it. Quantities above three months’ supply, and medicines containing controlled substances, require prior HSA approval.
Products listed on DoctorOnCall are registered with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health for supply in Malaysia, and each pack carries its MAL registration number.
An order delivered to Singapore arrives as a personal import of a Malaysia-registered product; HSA product registration is not required for personal-use quantities, but it is also not the same as a product registered for sale in Singapore. If you need a locally registered Singapore product, buy it from a pharmacy in Singapore.
DoctorOnCall’s customer care team handles order, delivery and product queries through the contact channels on the site, including WhatsApp and the online help centre.
For deliveries to Singapore, allow more time before chasing an order than you would for a local Malaysian delivery, as the parcel passes through customs clearance and tracking updates can appear later in the journey.
What condition or symptom are you treating with this medication?
Please select your condition / symptom before adding to cart.
*Please select the closest match. A pharmacist may call to verify your selection before dispensing.
Important Medical Information
💊 Recommended Dosage:
The application schedule depends on the condition being treated: external genital and perianal warts are commonly treated three times a week on alternate nights for up to 16 weeks, while actinic keratosis and superficial basal cell carcinoma follow different regimens determined by your doctor. Do not apply more frequently or for longer than prescribed, as this increases the risk of significant local skin irritation without improving treatment outcomes.
🛑 Contraindications (Do not use if):
Known hypersensitivity to imiquimod or any component of the cream
Application to open wounds, broken skin, or mucous membranes beyond the specifically diagnosed and doctor-approved treatment area
Use without a confirmed diagnosis from a doctor, as imiquimod is not appropriate for undiagnosed skin lesions
Caution advised in patients with pre-existing autoimmune conditions, who should discuss use with their doctor first
If you are unsure, please chat with us or consult your doctor.
⚠️ Common Side Effects:
Redness or irritation at the application site
Itching or burning sensation
Flaky or dry skin
Scabbing or crusting
Headache or fatigue (less common)
Skin discoloration (temporary)
Stop taking this medication immediately and consult your doctor if you experience severe allergic reactions or side effects.
Please tick this box to confirm you are 18+ before adding to cart.
IMPORTANT: Unsure? Chat with our pharmacists (Mon - Sat, 9:00am - 6:00pm) before buying.