Warticon 0.15% Cream

Warticon Cream is a topical treatment for external genital warts. The antiviral active ingredient, podophyllotoxin, stops HPV (the virus that causes genital warts) from dividing and spreading, eliminating existing warts and preventing the formation of new ones.

Warticon Cream works by targeting and destroying cells infected by the human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes genital warts. When applied directly to the warts, Warticon Cream inhibits cell division, causing the wart tissue to gradually die and shed, thereby preventing the emergence of new warts and destroying the existing warts.

Warticon Cream should be applied directly to genital warts once in the morning and once in the evening (every 12 hours) for 3 consecutive days, followed by a 4-day break from applying the treatment. This completes one treatment course.

If you still have any warts remaining after completing the first treatment course, repeat the treatment course (same as above; twice a day for 3 consecutive days, followed by the 4-day break.

You should not exceed 4 consecutive treatment courses (i.e. 4 weeks of using the treatment). If you still have warts after completing 4 courses of treatment, please consult a GP or doctor.

To correctly apply Warticon Cream, follow these steps:

1. Before applying Warticon Cream, wash the affected area with soap and water and gently dry the area.
2. Apply the Warticon Cream to each genital wart using your finger.
3. Rub the cream onto each wart thoroughly, trying your best not to touch healthy skin. If this happens, wash away the cream from the skin with soap and water.
4. Wash hands thoroughly after applying Warticon Cream as podophyllotoxin can irritate other areas of your skin.

Note: Once Warticon Cream has been applied to the genital warts, avoid covering the site with a dressing or a bandage. This is to prevent creating a moist environment, which can encourage bacterial growth and trigger infections.

If used correctly, Warticon Cream has the potential to clear genital warts in up to 4 weeks for most individuals. However, the duration of treatment can vary depending on the individual's response and the severity of the warts. If warts persist after 4 weeks of using Warticon Cream, it is advised to consult a medical professional to discuss alternative treatment options​.

• You should not use Warticon Cream if you are allergic to the active ingredient podophyllotoxin or any of the other ingredients included (for a full list of ingredients found in Warticon Cream, refer to the patient information leaflet).
• You should avoid using the cream if your genital warts are on areas of broken or bleeding skin.
• If your genital warts are larger than 4 centimetres (around the size of a postage stamp), you should seek advice from your GP before applying the cream.
• Warticon Cream is not recommended for use during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding.

Warticon Cream and Warticon Solution contain different strengths of the same active ingredient, podophyllotoxin, which prevents the multiplication of the virus that causes genital warts. Warticon Cream is a white cream containing 0.15% podophyllotoxin, while Warticon Solution is a blue solution containing 0.5% podophyllotoxin.

Warticon Cream, if used correctly, should cause your existing genital warts to shrink or disappear. Additionally, no new warts should develop after correctly using the treatment as instructed in the leaflet. If, after four treatment courses (i.e., 4 weeks of using Warticon Cream), the warts have not cleared or reduced in size, contact your GP or doctor for further advice.

Do not be alarmed if there is mild irritation, as this indicates that Warticon Cream is working.

As mentioned above, it is common to experience some mild irritation in the affected area after a few days of continued use of Warticon Cream. Individuals who experience a severe skin reaction to Warticon Cream are advised to wash the cream away from the affected area immediately with soap and water, cease using the treatment immediately, and contact a GP or doctor.

Symptoms of a severe skin reaction to Warticon Cream can include itching, burning, excessive pain, swelling, or bleeding​.

Genital warts are sexually transmitted, therefore it is recommended to abstain from intercourse until your warts have cleared and your skin has fully healed to prevent spreading the infection to your partner​

Warticon Cream is designed for treating external warts in intimate areas. For internal genital warts, consult your GP to discuss alternative treatment options.

Warticon Solution is a direct topical alternative to Warticon Cream that contains 0.5% podophyllotoxin. Warticon Solution targets genital warts in the same way as Warticon Cream, with the main differences being the form in which it is available and the application method.

Aldara Cream is another widely recognised alternative to Warticon Cream and Warticon Solution for treating genital warts. It contains 5% imiquimod, an active ingredient that functions as an immune response modifier. This compound works by stimulating the body's immune system to produce cytokines, which help to attack the human papillomavirus (HPV). By boosting the immune response, Aldara Cream aids in reducing the effects of HPV on the body, effectively clearing genital warts over time.

Studies indicate that imiquimod is more effective in preventing genital warts from recurring. However, the drawback is that Aldara Cream can take considerably longer (up to 16 weeks) to treat warts compared to Warticon Cream

Warticon Cream can be bought online from Pharmica after completing a medical questionnaire to check if it is a suitable treatment for you.