Warticon for Genital Warts

Warticon is a prescription-only topical genital wart treatment that contains the active ingredient podophyllotoxin. Podophyllotoxin is a plant extract and belongs to the class of medications called antivirals. By applying Warticon directly to anogenital warts, the active ingredient stops them growing and eventually kills off the wart cells.

Warticon is available as a cream in 5g or 10g tubes, or as a solution which needs to be applied with an applicator, making it more difficult to use. It’s suitable for use on soft anogenital warts that appear close to the penis or externally around the vagina.

Warticon works by killing cells infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is what causes genital warts. When applied directly to the affected area, it prevents them from growing and spreading any further.

Podophyllotoxin, the active ingredient in Warticon, is a potent plant extract which is also an antiviral. When applied directly to the surface of a wart, podophyllotoxin stops wart cells dividing and multiplying. Eventually, this causes the wart cells to be destroyed and replaced with healthy tissue.

How long does Warticon last?

A 1-week course of Warticon consists of applying Warticon twice a day for 3 days, followed by 4 days of applying no cream or solution. This 1-week cycle can be repeated for up to 4 weeks.

How long does Warticon take to work?

Most people find that genital warts clear in 4 weeks when using Warticon, but it can take longer in some people. It’s important to keep applying Warticon cream until the warts have gone. If after 4 weeks, you still have genital warts, you should contact your doctor for further advice.

How effective is Warticon?

Warticon is a highly effective treatment against genital warts, and can clear up to 70% of cases.

To apply Warticon cream:

1. Wash the affected area and your hands with soap and water, then gently dry with a towel.
2. Using your fingertip, apply a thin layer of cream directly to each wart, making sure the cream does not touch any healthy skin.
3. Allow the cream to dry naturally. Do not cover the skin with a plaster or any other dressing.
4. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying the cream to stop the infection spreading.

Apply Warticon cream twice a day, 12 hours apart, for 3 days. Then have a 4-day break, before repeating the cycle again if needed. You can do this for a maximum of 4 consecutive treatment cycles (4 weeks).

You should use Warticon exactly as your doctor has prescribed. It can be used to treat warts on the foreskin of the penis or external warts on the vagina, but it should not be used to treat any warts on the inside of the vagina, penis, or rectum.

How long do you need to take Warticon for?

You can apply Warticon cream for up to 4 weeks. If after 4 weeks, your symptoms have not improved and you still have genital warts, you should contact your doctor for more advice.

What if I miss a dose of Warticon?

If you miss a dose of Warticon cream, you should apply it as soon as you remember.

If it is nearly time for your next dose, wait until that dose and skip the missed dose instead. Do not use a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

What if I take too much Warticon?

If you accidentally apply too much Warticon cream, wash the cream from the treatment area straight away and see a doctor.

Warticon is only available in 1 dose: 0.5% weight by volume of the active ingredient podophyllotoxin. This dose means that 0.5% of the cream is made up of the active ingredient.

A single dose of Warticon is enough cream to cover each wart you’re applying it to.

Warticon is a prescription-only medication, which means you will need a doctor's approval to obtain it. You can buy Warticon online from reputable online doctor services, like ZAVA. Your treatment request is reviewed by registered doctors to make sure it is safe and suitable for you.

Alternatively, Warticon may be available on the NHS.

Yes, you can buy Warticon cream online from ZAVA by:

1. Simply filling out a short online health questionnaire.
2. One of our doctors will review your responses and confirm your suitability.
3. Your medication will be discreetly delivered by Royal Mail to an address of your choice, or you can choose to collect it from your local Post Office.

Can I buy Warticon over the counter?

No, Warticon cream is not available over the counter. So, you will need a doctor’s approval to obtain it.

Can I get Warticon on the NHS?

Yes, Warticon is available on the NHS, but you will need a prescription from a doctor. You will need to make an appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and suitable treatments.

Like all medications, Warticon can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them. As the cream is applied topically, most side effects affect your skin.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using Warticon cream, wash the skin with soap and water, and speak to a doctor straight away:

• severe burning
• stinging
• pain
• bleeding
• itching or swelling of the affected area

Very common side effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, include:

• wearing away the top layers of skin
• application site irritation (redness, itching, or burning)

Other side effects, affecting the area of the skin where the cream is used, include:

• allergic reaction
• pain
• swelling
• bleeding
• damage to or loss of the top layer of skin
• weeping wounds
• skin ulcer
• scab
• skin discoloration
• dry skin
• blister

How long do Warticon side effects last?

Mild side effects, such as skin irritation, should go away within a few weeks after stopping Warticon treatment. However, if you are getting side effects that are getting worse or you are concerned, then you should speak to your doctor for advice.

What to do if you get Warticon side effects

If you experience Warticon cream side effects, particularly severe burning, stinging, pain, bleeding, itching, or swelling, stop using it immediately and wash the area with soap and water.

Seek medical advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Warticon cream is not suitable for everyone. That’s why it is important to discuss your symptoms and medical history with a doctor to make sure it is safe and suitable for you to use.

Do not use Warticon cream if you:

• are allergic to podophyllotoxin or any of its ingredients
• have warts on areas of broken, damaged, or bleeding skin
• are already using another medication containing podophyllotoxin

Before using Warticon cream, let your doctor know if your warts cover an area larger than 4cm.

You must not apply Warticon cream to the inside of the penis, vagina, or rectum or apply a plaster or dressing over the top of the area that has been treated.

You should avoid sex while using Warticon cream and until your warts have gone and your skin has healed. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and can be passed on to a sexual partner.

Warticon and other medications

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or plan to take any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications while using Warticon cream. As it’s applied topically, it should not interact with many medications, unless also applied to the same area.

Not everyone can use Warticon for genital warts. At ZAVA, we offer Aldara 5% cream as an alternative to Warticon cream.

Aldara is another topical solution, but it contains the active ingredient imiquimod. Rather than targeting the virus responsible for causing genital warts, imiquimod works by helping your immune system to produce natural substances that help fight the virus. Clinical research shows that 60% of women experience total clearance of genital warts after an average of 8 weeks. In men, the total clearance rate was 23%, and the average time it took to achieve total clearance was 12 weeks.