Podophyllin resin or podophyllotoxin for genital warts (human papillomavirus)

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
podophyllin resin	Podofilm 5% to 25%
podophyllotoxin liquid	Condyline 0.5%

How It Works

Podophyllin resin and podophyllotoxin remove genital warts by stopping cell growth.

Podophyllin resin

A health professional 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 within 4 hours to reduce side effects.¹ Your health professional usually applies the resin once a week for at least 6 weeks or until warts disappear.

Podophyllotoxin

You can apply podophyllotoxin at home. The usual schedule is twice a day for 3 days, followed by 4 days without any lotion. You repeat this schedule for 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.

Podophyllotoxin

podophyllotoxinhas 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 podophyllotoxin is used during pregnancy because these medicines can be harmful to the fetus.

How Well It Works

Podophyllin resin

Podophyllin resin may be effective in 45% to 77% of people.² But warts may return after treatment.

Podophyllotoxin

Podophyllotoxin may be effective in 45% to 88% of people. ² But warts may return 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).

Podophyllotoxin

Podophyllotoxin 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 health professional so that the amount used can be carefully monitored to avoid more serious side effects.

Because podophyllotoxin can be applied at home, you need fewer visits to a health professional.

Neither podophyllin resin nor podophyllotoxin is used during pregnancy because these medicines can be harmful to 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 health professional.

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Author:	Carrie Henley Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: November 16, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
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