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Warticon info

What is Warticon?

Warticon is a prescription-only medicine available in the UK and Ireland that is topical (applied directly to the affected area) and used to treat and remove anogenital wart infections. It typically comes in the form of a white cream packaged in 5g or 10g tubes and its active ingredient is an antiviral (virus-stopping) plant extract called podophyllotoxin. Warticon is also available in a blue solution form although it requires the use of an applicator and is more difficult to use.

Warticon is used on soft anogenital warts appearing on or close to the penis or appearing externally around the vagina. It is indicated for use on individual warts or small clusters of warts and not for wider areas. The podophyllotoxin in Warticon works by preventing wart cells dividing and spreading, which over time will kill the wart and can prevent it returning. This action is similar to how cancer cells are treated.

How does Warticon work?

How does Warticon treat genital warts?

The active ingredient in Warticon is podophyllotoxin. When applied directly to the surface of the wart, it prevents the wart cells from dividing and stops them increasing in number. The wart cells will eventually die, and new tissue will grow in their place.

How long does it take for Warticon to work?

You should apply Warticon twice a day for a total of 3 days, then stop treatment for 4 days. If there are any remaining warts 7 days after starting treatment, you can repeat the treatment course (twice daily for 3 days followed by 4 days of no treatment). It is important to wait for the full 4 days before restarting treatment. This can be done for a maximum of four treatment courses (four weeks in total). If the warts are not responding to treatment then you should contact your doctor or nurse.

How effective is Warticon?

Warticon is a safe and effective treatment used to treat genital warts. If instructions are followed correctly, results should be visible within a matter of weeks.

What are anogenital warts?

Anogenital warts are non-harmful growths that occur and spread across the genital, anal, and perineal (inbetween) regions. They are caused by HPV (human papilloma virus) a primarily sexually-transmitted virus. Infections can also occur rarely as a result of birth-related mother-infant contact, or contact from hand warts. The strain of HPV that causes anogenital warts is not the same strain that causes cervical cancer.

Anogenital warts can occur externally or internally (within the urethra, vagina, cervix, or anal canal) and typically do not cause any pain or discomfort. However, they may present with inflammation, irritation, bleeding, skin cracking, or pain or discomfort during sexual activity. Even without genital warts symptoms, they can still be distressing and can cause lasting physical blemishes. Up to a 5th of those with anogenital warts will have also contracted another sexually transmitted infection (STI). Also, be aware that anogenital warts can spread to the anal region without having engaged in anal intercourse.

Anogenital warts will not appear until 2 to 4 weeks after infection but may remain invisible for months afterwards. They may appear alone or in groups and may be completely flat or appear as a cauliflower-like projection. In men, they typically appear on the penis, especially under the foreskin. They can also be situated inside, or protruding from, the urethra. In women, anogenital warts appear on the lips of the vulva or the urethral opening.

The appearance of anogenital warts will change depending on what type of skin they are located on. Dryer, hairier skin will have firmer warts, whereas softer, moister skin will result in softer warts. While they are generally identified by a simple eye examination, they can be mistaken for other, non-STI-related skin conditions such as small bumps on the head of the penis (pearly penile papules) or on the labia of the vagina (micropapillomatosis labialis).

Diagnosis of genital warts should only be made by a qualified healthcare professional.

How to use Warticon

Use Warticon as per the instructions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. The patient leaflet for Warticon can be found here. One treatment course of Warticon consists of applying the cream twice daily (every 12 hours, typically once in the morning and once in the evening) for 3 days, and then no application for the following 4 days. Repeat the cycle if any warts remain after 7 days. You may apply up to 4 cycles in a row yourself but if any warts persist after this you should consult your doctor.

Try not to apply Warticon to the healthy skin surrounding the wart and do not cover the skin over with a plaster (or any other dressing). Where the area covered by warts is larger than the size of a postage stamp (4cm²), discuss the application of Warticon with a healthcare professional. In some cases Warticon may need to be applied by a healthcare professional in a clinic.

Store Warticon out of sight and reach of children. Do not use the cream after the last day of the month stated in the expiration date. The expiration date is found after the letters ‘EXP’ on the tube. No other special storage conditions are required. Do not throw Warticon away via wastewater or household waste, instead ask your pharmacist how to dispose of unneeded medication. This can help protect the environment.

Things to avoid with Warticon

Only use Warticon for anogenital warts and not other skin conditions. It should only be used on external skin. It is not intended to be taken orally or internally; on the inside of genitals for example. Do not apply Warticon to any warts located on broken, damaged, or bleeding skin. Avoid using it completely if you have any known allergy to podophyllotoxin, or if you are already using a medication containing podophyllotoxin.

It is not recommended that you have sex while Warticon is being used. This recommendation applies until the warts have gone and the skin has fully healed. Because genital warts are contagious it is important to remember that you could transmit them to any partner you have sexual contact with. If you do decide to have sex, a condom will help prevent infection. It will also prevent your partner from experiencing skin irritation as a result of coming into contact with the podophyllotoxin in Warticon.

It is recommended that pregnancy be avoided during the use of Warticon. You should use a reliable method of contraception during a course of Warticon. Stop using Warticon and inform your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or have become pregnant while using Warticon. Avoid breastfeeding during Warticon use and discuss with your doctor the choice whether to breastfeed or begin a course of Warticon.

Because Warticon is prescribed specifically for one patient, you should not offer this medicine to someone without a prescription. This includes when it seems like a reasonable thing to do, e.g. if you suspect a partner or friend has developed anogenital warts as well. A healthcare professional needs to confirm any anogenital warts before Warticon is used. They need to be able to make a decision to prescribe medicine after taking into account a person’s individual circumstances.

Directions for applying Warticon

Wash the area around the wart(s) with soap and water, then ensure the area is dry before applying the cream.
Make sure you are able to see the area you are applying the Warticon to. It is recommended you sit against a wall with your knees bent and place the mirror (provided in each pack) between your legs, angled so you can easily view the affected area.
Use your fingertip to apply just enough cream to each wart to cover it completely.
Rub the cream into the wart(s) while avoiding healthy skin. Wash any healthy skin that accidentally comes into contact with the cream with soap and water.
Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the cream.
Ensure the lid is tight on the tube before storing the cream away (see the ‘how to use Warticon’ section for storage advice).

What to do in case of a Warticon-related accident

Where Warticon accidentally gets in your eyes or mouth, rinse them immediately. In the case of eye contact you should see a doctor. If swallowed, go to a hospital immediately and take the cream with you to show hospital staff. If too much Warticon is used, wash the excess away and consult your doctor. Applying more than the recommended dose will not get rid of warts faster and will only increase the risk of side effects. If a dose is missed, apply the cream when you remember, or wait until your next dose if it is not far off. Never apply extra cream to make up for a missed dose.

What are the side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects while using Warticon, but there is a possibility. Side effects do not necessarily mean the treatment is working incorrectly or the warts are getting worse. If you experience side effects, even those that are not listed below, please report them to you doctor or pharmacist. Not only will this benefit you but it will also help improve the safety information available on this medication for future users (UK - https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/; Ireland -www.hpra.ie/).

If you experience any severe forms of the following serious side effects then immediately wash the cream from your skin and contact your doctor ASAP:

Burning.
Stinging.
Pain.
Bleeding.
Itching.
Swelling of treated skin.

The following are very common side effects that affect 1 in 10 of those who use Warticon:

Wearing away of the top layer of skin.
Irritation where the cream is applied, including:
Redness.
Itching.
Burning sensations.

Other side effects that may occur where the cream is used (although there is insufficient data to know 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.

Where/how to buy Warticon

Can I buy Warticon online?

You can buy Warticon online from just £40 with Superdrug Online Doctor, with discreet delivery straight to your door. All you have to do is complete a short online questionnaire about your health, and our doctors can prescribe Warticon if it is safe and appropriate for you. All orders are delivered in discreet packaging, and our doctors can provide free expert advice if you have any questions about Warticon or genital warts.

Can I get Warticon on the NHS?

Yes, Warticon is available on the NHS. You will need to make an appointment with your GP and they can prescribe it for you.

Can I get Warticon over the counter?

Warticon is only available with a prescription. You can obtain a prescription by visiting your doctor, or using an online service such as Superdrug Online Doctor.

Warticon reviews

If you are interested in patient reviews and discussions of Warticon treatment, please see the following website:

https://www.dailystrength.org/group/hpv/discussion/warticon

Alternative treatments

Because the HPV infection that causes anogenital warts is not completely removed during treatment, there is a significant chance that your warts will return. All anogenital wart treatments can involve discomfort, particularly skin irritation. Treatments you apply yourself have a higher likelihood of problems occurring.

There are alternative treatments to Warticon. One alternative is Condyline, a solution-based treatment with the same active ingredient as Warticon; podophyllotoxin. Another alternative is Aldara, with the active ingredient imiquimod. Rather than being an antiviral agent, imiquimod works by boosting immune system action around the area of the wart, helping to kill the wart cells that way.

There are also alternatives to treatments you apply yourself. One option is no treatment, as one third of warts will spontaneously disappear in 6 months (although, keep in mind the risks of warts multiplying and spreading or being passed on to a partner). Other options you may choose include having your warts cut off, frozen off, or electrically burned off. Be aware that over-the-counter medications are not an appropriate alternative for treating anogenital warts.

Sources

Genital Warts (NHS) [August 2020] [Accessed November 2021]

How to use your Warticon solution (NHS) [July 2013] [Accessed November 2021]

Warticon: the essentials (AccessDoctor) [Accessed November 2021]

Podophyllotoxin for anogenital warts (Patient) [November 2020] [Accessed November 2021]

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