Warticon

Warticon is available as a cream and as a solution. The active ingredient is podophyllotoxin.

The action of podophyllotoxin is thought to be due to inhibition of growth and the ability to invade the tissue of the viral infected cells.

How is Warticon used?

Warticon cream or solution should be applied twice a day (every 12 hours) for 3 consecutive days, followed by 4 days of no application. This should be repeated weekly if necessary for a maximum of four 3–day courses. If the warts have not cleared after this, you should see your GP or sexual health clinic for other treatment options.

How do I apply Warticon Cream?

1. Wash the affected areas with soap and water. Dry the area gently with a clean towel.
2. It may help you to view the area to be treated, if you sit down and place the mirror as shown in the diagram below.
3. Using a fingertip, apply Warticon Cream to cover each wart. Use only enough cream to cover each wart.
4. Rub the cream into the wart. Be careful not to get the cream onto healthy skin. If this happens, wash the cream off with soap and water.
5. Wash your hands thoroughly.
6. Make sure you have screwed the lid back on tightly

How do I apply Warticon Solution?

1. Wash the affected areas with soap and water. Dry the area gently with a clean towel.
2. Use a new applicator each time you apply Warticon Solution.
3. Dip the ‘Loop’ end of the applicator into the Warticon Solution. If you have a large wart (no larger than a postage stamp) or lots of warts in a small area, dip the ‘Spatula’ end of the applicator into the solution.
4. Apply the solution to a wart until it is just covered and allow to dry. Be careful not to get the Warticon onto healthy skin. If this happens, wash the solution off with soap and water.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each wart. Allow all the skin treated with Warticon Solution to dry before letting other skin touch the affected area.
6. Wash your hands thoroughly after using Warticon Solution.
7. Make sure you screw the lid back on tightly.

Is there anything else I should know about Warticon cream and solution?

• Avoid getting the cream onto normal skin and open wounds.
• Avoid unprotected sexual contact soon after application because of a possible irritant effect on your partner
• Warticon cream is white and disappears after application. Warticon solution is blue and may leave a blue stain after application which is temporary.
• Warticon solution is flammable. Keep your body away from fire or flames after you have put on the medicine.

Should I choose the cream or the solution? Which is more effective?

Cream may be easier to apply. In an active-controlled trial, podophyllotoxin 0.15% cream was inferior to podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution

I have applied Warticon and now my skin is really irritated. What should I do?

Warticon can cause local irritation of the treated area. This may occur on the second or third day of application and decreases after treatment is discontinued. In most cases, the reactions are mild. If severe local skin reactions occur (bleeding, swelling, excessive pain, burning, itching) the solution should be washed immediately from the treatment area with mild soap and water. Treatment should be discontinued and you should visit your GP or GUM clinic.

If I use Warticon more often than recommended, will I see faster results?

No. Excess cream or solution, or prolonged contact with the skin may result in a severe reaction at the application site. Excessive application may cause severe systemic toxicity, including gastrointestinal, renal, haematological and central nervous system effect.

Should I cover the area treated with a dressing after applying my treatment?

The use of an occlusive dressing is not recommended with Warticon.

• MedExpress provides two topical treatments (treatments that are applied to the skin)- Aldara and Warticon. Click here to read about Aldara.
• A sexual health clinic sometimes offers surgery to remove the warts or a treatment to freeze the warts.