Podofilox

What is Podofilox?

Podofilox is a genital warts treatment that comes as a topical solution. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus or HPV for short. Podofilox and other similar treatments won’t cure the virus itself, but they can help eliminate warts. Don’t worry, HPV is usually a non-aggressive virus and can disappear from your body within a couple of years.

You can apply Podofilox yourself, straight to your skin, which is sometimes preferable to other types of treatment that involve minor surgical procedures. Podofilox removes warts and brings down inflammation, but it should only be used on external warts. If you have them in or on the vagina, penis, or anus, you should contact your family physician so they can advise you on a different treatment option.

How does Podofilox work?

Podofilox is a type of drug known as an antimitotic. Its mechanism of action involves stopping cells from dividing and multiplying ^[1]. When applied to warts, it interferes with their cell structure and stops them from growing, until eventually, it makes them fall off. For this reason, you should only apply it to external warts, and never to internal warts or healthy skin.

What doses of Podofilox are there?

Podofilox only comes in one dose which is a 0.5% solution, each millimeter of it has 5mg of Podofilox.

How to take Podofilox

You should always follow the advice of the clinician who prescribed Podofilox to you. They’ll be able to tell you how to use it, for how long, and what to expect from your treatment. If you get your prescription in person, the clinician will be able to do the first application to demonstrate exactly how you should do it.

• Apply Podofilox twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, roughly leaving about 12 hours between applications
• Do this for three days in a row, and then stop doing it for four days in a row
• This regimen can be repeated up to four times consecutively
• You should apply Podofilox directly on the warts with a cotton-tipped applicator that is supplied with the medication
• If the warts are located in an area of skin that comes into contact with another area, you should stay in position until the solution is completely dry before going back to your day

How long does it take Podofilox to work?

Usually, treatment with Podofilox lasts four weeks. If it’s been four weeks and your symptoms haven’t improved, you should go back to your clinician so they can advise you on how to proceed. If you order Podofilox with us, we can recommend other medications that might suit you better.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Podofilox?

If you miss an application, you should do it as soon as possible. But if it’s almost time for your next application, just skip the dose you missed and carry on with your treatment as normal.

If you accidentally apply too much Podofilox, you should be fine, but you can wash the excess off to be safe.

You should always avoid your eyes, nose, and mouth. If you accidentally get some Podofilox in your eyes, wash them with plenty of clean water, and then seek medical attention.