Imiquimod in dermatology: an overview

Abstract Imiquimod is an immune response modifier commercially available as a 3.75 and 5% cream. Topical imiquimod stimulates the innate and adaptive immune responses and induces cytokine production. This allows its use for the treatment of a wide variety of benign and malignant skin conditions due to its potential antiviral, antitumor, and immunoregulatory effects. Currently, topical imiquimod is US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA )‐approved for the treatment of anogenital warts, actinic keratosis, and superficial basal cell carcinomas. However, it has also shown a beneficial effect in the treatment of many other skin disorders. In this review, we describe existing evidence on the mechanism of action of topical imiquimod, its FDA ‐approved indications, off‐label uses, and side effects.