Most medications can cause side effects which can be defined as an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can range from mild or severe, temporary or permanent. Side effects are not experienced all patients who take this medication. Many side effects can be managed, and others may go away over time. Common side effects include mild skin irritation, itching, dryness, flaking, scabbing, crusting, redness, or hardening of the skin where the medicine was applied; changes in the color of treated skin; headache, dizziness, chest pain, back pain; cold sores, fever blisters; cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite or vaginal itching or discharge. Serious side effect may include flu symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, tired feeling, swollen glands. When treating genital warts around the vagina, if you have severe swelling or urination problems, stop using ALDARA and call your doctor right away. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat).This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about additional side effects.