Warticon Cream

What is 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.

Is there anything else I should know about Warticon Cream?

• 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.

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.

How Warticon works?

Warticon is a topical treatment that is applied directly to genital warts on and around the genitals. Because genital warts are not only caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) but also kept alive by it, the active ingredient (podophyllotoxin) doesn't attack the wart tissue directly (which would ultimately prove ineffective) but instead attacks the HPV itself. With the virus unable to divide and spread, the symptoms subside and warts die. Over time, the wart tissue falls away, and healthy tissue grows in its place.