Genital Warts treatment Warticon
What is Warticon?
Warticon is a prescription-only medication in the UK, designed for the topical treatment and removal of anogenital wart infections. The cream is specifically intended for soft anogenital warts situated on or near the penis or externally around the vagina. It is suitable for individual warts or small clusters, rather than broader areas.
What is Warticon used to treat?
Warticon is a safe and effective treatment for genital warts located on or near the penis, or externally around the vagina. It is recommended for treating individual warts or small clusters and is not intended for larger areas of affected skin. The podophyllotoxin in Warticon functions by targeting wart cells preventing them from multiplying and spreading which ultimately leads to the elimination of the wart. This process also potentially prevents its recurrence, similarly to how cancer cells are treated.
Who can and cannot use medicines containing Warticon?
Warticon is for use in adults, 18 years or older, with diagnosed genital warts.
Warticon may not be suitable for you if:
you have an allergy to podophyllotoxin or any other ingredients
the skin surrounding your wart (or warts) is damaged, broken, or bleeding
warts cover an area exceeding 4cm squared (approximately the size of a postage stamp)
you are pregnant or breastfeeding
When using Warticon, take care to avoid:
applying the treatment on healthy skin
contact with the eyes or mouth
application on the interior of the vagina, penis, or rectum
covering treated areas with plasters or dressings
How does Warticon treat genital warts?
The active ingredient in Warticon, podophyllotoxin, is applied directly to the wart's surface, preventing the cells from dividing and increasing in number. This leads to the death of wart cells, allowing new tissue to grow in their place.
Frequently asked questions
Not everyone using Warticon will experience side effects, but there is a possibility. Side effects do not necessarily indicate treatment failure or worsening of warts.
If you encounter severe forms of the following serious side effects, promptly wash the cream from your skin and contact your doctor:
burning
stinging
pain
bleeding
itching
swelling of the treated skin
Very common side effects affecting 1 in 10 Warticon users include:
wearing away of the top layer of skin
irritation at the application site, including redness, itching, and a burning sensation
Other side effects that may occur at the cream's application site (with insufficient data to determine their frequencies) include:
allergic reaction
swelling
bleeding
damage to or loss of the top layer of skin
wound weeping (liquid seeping from broken skin)
skin ulcers
scabs
skin discolouration
dry skin
blisters
Always read the patient information leaflet for Warticon cream before using it.
Warticon should be applied twice a day for 3 days, followed by a 4-day break. If any warts remain after 7 days, the treatment course can be repeated a maximum of four times (four weeks in total). It is crucial to wait for the full 4 days before restarting treatment. If the warts don't respond, consult your doctor or nurse.
Warticon is a safe and effective treatment for genital warts. Following instructions correctly should yield visible results within weeks.
Warticon comes in both cream and solution forms, designed for the direct application to external genital warts. The white cream is supplied in 5g or 10g tubes, while the blue solution form requires an applicator for application, which introduces an additional layer of complexity. Both formulations incorporate podophyllotoxin, an antiviral plant extract, as their active component.
The treatment regimen and duration may vary depending on the severity of the warts.
The active ingredient in Warticon, podophyllotoxin, is applied directly to the wart's surface, preventing the cells from dividing and increasing in number. This leads to the death of wart cells, allowing new tissue to grow in their place.
Only use Warticon for anogenital warts on external skin. Do not use it on broken, damaged, or bleeding skin.
Do not take Warticon orally or internally; avoid applying it inside genitals.
Avoid using Warticon if you have a known allergy to podophyllotoxin or are using another podophyllotoxin-containing medication.
It is not recommended to have sex during Warticon use.
Pregnancy should be avoided during Warticon use. Use reliable contraception during the course, and inform your doctor if you become pregnant.
Avoid breastfeeding during Warticon use; consult your doctor to discuss options.
