Podophyllin Resin or Podofilox for Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
Examples
| podofilox |
Condylox |
| podophyllin resin |
Podofin |
How It Works
Podophyllin resin and podofilox lotion
or gel remove
genital warts by stopping cell growth.
Podophyllin resin
A doctor applies podophyllin
resin to the warts. He or she also may use petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline,
to protect normal tissue near the warts from irritation. You wash the resin off
in 1 to 4 hours to reduce side effects.1 Your
doctor usually applies the resin once a week for at least 6 weeks or until
warts disappear.
Podofilox lotion or gel
You can apply podofilox in
lotion or gel at home. The usual schedule is twice a day for 3 days, followed
by 4 days without any lotion. You repeat this schedule for up to 4
weeks.1
Why It Is Used
Podophyllin resin
Podophyllin resin can remove
genital warts. It appears to be more effective on moist skin than on
dry.
Podofilox lotion or gel
Podofilox lotion or gel
has been found to be effective in clearing warts. It has mild side effects and
is well suited for treatment at home.
Neither podophyllin resin nor podofilox lotion or gel
is used during pregnancy, because these medicines can be harmful to the
fetus.
How Well It Works
Podophyllin resin
Podophyllin resin may remove warts in 20 to 40 out of 100 people.2 But warts may
come back after treatment.
Podofilox lotion or gel
Podofilox lotion or gel
may remove warts in 45 to 58 out of 100 people.2 But warts
may come back after treatment.
Side Effects
Podophyllin resin
The most common side effects
near the application site are skin reactions, including:3
- Burning.
- Redness.
- Pain.
- Itching.
- Swelling.
Complications from podophyllin resin application are
rare. Complications are more likely when podophyllin resin is:
- Applied to large areas.
- Applied
to areas that are already swollen and irritated.
- Left on longer
than 12 hours so that more of the medicine is absorbed into the body (systemic
toxicity).
Podofilox lotion or gel
Podofilox lotion or gel
has milder side effects at the application area than podophyllin resin.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects.
(Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Podophyllin resin must be applied
by a doctor so that the amount used can be carefully monitored to avoid more
serious side effects.
Because podofilox lotion or gel can be
applied at home, you need fewer visits to a doctor. This reduces the cost of
treatment.
Neither podophyllin resin nor podofilox lotion or gel
is used during pregnancy, because these medicines can harm the
fetus.
Genital warts may go away on their own. Also, treating
genital warts does not cure infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), the
virus that causes genital warts. The virus may remain in the body in an
inactive state after warts are removed. A person treated for genital warts may
still be able to spread the infection. Condoms may help reduce the risk of HPV
infection.
The benefits and effectiveness of each type of
treatment need to be compared with the side effects and cost. Discuss this with
your doctor.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
-
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010).
Genital warts. In Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010. Available online:
http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment/.
-
Bonnez W, Reichman RC (2010).
Papillomaviruses. In GL Mandell et al., eds., Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2035–2049.
Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
-
Buck HW (2010). Warts (genital), search date December 2009. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
|
Last Revised
|
June 21, 2012 |
Last Revised:
June 21, 2012
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010).
Genital warts. In Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2010. Available online:
http://www.cdc.gov/STD/treatment/.
Bonnez W, Reichman RC (2010).
Papillomaviruses. In GL Mandell et al., eds., Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, 7th ed., vol. 2, pp. 2035–2049.
Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
Buck HW (2010). Warts (genital), search date December 2009. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.