podofilox
Podofilox (Condylox) is a topical antimitotic medication. It's available as podofilox 0.5% gel for treating genital and anal warts; it also comes as a podofilox 0.5% solution for treating genital warts only. The exact way podofilox (Condylox) works isn't well-understood, but it's thought to disrupt the growth of wart tissues. Podofilox (Condylox) is applied to the affected areas twice daily for 3 days, followed by a 4-day break. If needed, your healthcare team will ask you to repeat this treatment cycle up to 4 times. Some side effects of this medication include mild-to-moderate burning, pain, and swelling at the application site.
What is Podofilox (Condylox)?
What is Podofilox (Condylox) used for?
- Genital warts
- Anal warts (gel only)
How Podofilox (Condylox) works
Podofilox (Condylox) is a podophyllotoxin that comes from the roots of a plant species. It's a topical antimitotic skin product. The exact way podofilox (Condylox) works isn't well-understood, but it's thought to interfere with certain cell structures during cell division, which leads to death of wart tissue.
Drug facts
Side effects of Podofilox (Condylox)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Gel:
- Burning (37%)
- Inflammation (32%)
- Itching (32%)
- Sores (27%)
- Pain (24%)
- Bleeding (19%)
- Burning (64% in males, 78% in females)
- Pain (50% in males, 72% in females)
- Inflammation (71% in males, 63% in females)
- Sores (67% in males and females)
- Itching (50% in males, 65% in females)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stinging
- Redness
- Peeling
- Scabbing
- Change in skin color
- Tenderness
- Dryness
- Crusting
- Cracked skin
- Soreness
- Ulcer
- Swelling or edema (excess fluid under the skin)
- Rash
- Blisters
- Tingling
- Headache
The following Podofilox (Condylox) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Bad odor (solution only)
bleeding of treated skin
blistering, crusting, or scabbing of treated skin
bloody urine (solution only)
burning feeling of treated skin
dizziness (solution only)
headache (gel only)
itching of treated skin
pain during sexual intercourse (solution only)
pain of treated skin
problems with foreskin of penis (solution only)
redness or swelling of treated skin
scarring of treated skin (solution only)
skin ulcers of treated skin
vomiting (solution only)
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Dryness of treated skin
peeling of treated skin
soreness or tenderness of treated skin
stinging or tingling of treated skin
trouble in sleeping (solution only)
Less common
Changes in color of treated skin (gel only)
skin rash (gel only)
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Podofilox (Condylox)
Pros
- Recommended topical medication used to treat genital and anal warts
- A good option if you prefer treating your condition privately at home rather than getting in-office procedures
- The solution and gel are available as generics
Cons
- Doesn't permanently get rid of the virus that causes warts, so warts can recur in the future
- Not guaranteed to remove all of your warts
- Applied twice daily
- Skin reactions and irritation are common
Pharmacist tips for Podofilox (Condylox)
- It's important to use podofilox (Condylox) exactly as prescribed. When you first start using this medication, your prescriber might show you how to apply it correctly in order to get the best effect.
- Before applying podofilox (Condylox), wash your hands with soap and water. Also remember to wash your hands after using this medication. If it gets in your eyes or anywhere that it doesn't belong, rinse well with water.
- Apply podofilox (Condylox) using the provided applicator tip, or use a clean finger if you have the gel form. Try to put the medication only on the wart; it may help to use a small mirror to get it in the right place. Let the medication dry fully to avoid it from coming in contact with normal skin areas nearby.
- Don't use more than 0.5 grams of gel or 0.5 mL of podofilox (Condylox) solution per day. If you aren't sure how much this is, ask your healthcare professional (HCP) or pharmacist.
- Most side effects are mild or moderate and don't get worse with time. Severe reactions are less common and typically happen within the first 2 weeks of treatment. Let your HCP know if the side effects are causing serious problems for you, such as excessive pain, burning, or bleeding.
- Don't use the medication for more than 3 days in a row. The recommended 1-week cycle is to apply it for 3 days, then stop for 4 days, then repeat as necessary. If podofilox (Condylox) doesn't rid your warts completely after 4 cycles, stop using the medication and talk to your prescriber. Don't use it for more than 4 cycles, since it's not guaranteed to work better and can even lead to more side effects.
- Some viruses that cause warts can be passed to another person, even if you don't have visible signs of warts. If you've had anal or genital warts recently, it's best to avoid sex, or use barrier birth control (e.g., condoms, diaphragm) to prevent passing it to other people.
Common questions about Podofilox (Condylox)
Podofilox (Condylox) requires a prescription from a healthcare professional (HCP). Getting an official diagnosis from your HCP is important, since anal and genital warts are typically transmitted through sexual contact. Your HCP might also need to test you for other sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).
You might need to use podofilox (Condylox) for one week or longer (maximum of 4 treatment cycles) before you start to notice improvements in the warts. Keep in mind that this medication might not completely get rid of your warts; in clinical studies of the gel form, only about a-quarter to a-third of people saw their warts clear after 4 cycles.
Podofilox (Condylox) will cause your wart to start to die or become smaller. You might notice your wart changing from a fleshy skin color to a dry, crusted, dead look before it disappears altogether. You may need to repeat the podofilox (Condylox) treatment cycle until the wart is gone, but don't use it for more than 4 cycles.
Yes; podofilox (Condylox) expires, so don't keep using it beyond the date printed on the packaging. This is because it's not guaranteed to work well or be safe for you beyond the expiration date. If you need more medication, ask your HCP for a new prescription.
Podofilox (Condylox) is only approved for treatment of anal and genital warts. Don't use it for other conditions, including wart-like growths on other parts of the body. Speak with your dermatologist if you have a skin tag that you want to get rid of.
Both podofilox (Condylox) and imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) are prescription medications recommended to treat genital and anal warts. But they work in different ways. One of the main differences between them is how often they're applied. Imiquimod cream is typically applied at bedtime up to 2 to 4 months, depending on which strength of the medication you use. But podofilox (Condylox) is usually applied twice daily for 3 days in a row, followed by a 4-day break; this cycle can be repeated up to 4 times. Imiquimod can be used by people ages 12 years and older, while podofilox (Condylox) is for adults only. Talk with your healthcare professional regarding which wart treatment would be best for you.
It's possible to get scarring from podofilox (Condylox), since this medication can damage the tissue on the surface of the wart. Let your prescriber know if you're concerned about scarring.
Podofilox (Condylox) should only be used on anal and genital warts that are external (on the outside of the body). Don't use it to treat warts that are on mucous membranes, such as inside the urethra (the passage where urine comes out), vagina, or rectum (inside the anus). Don't use podofilox (Condylox) to treat warts on any other parts of the body or warts that cover a large area of skin.
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Risks and warnings for Podofilox (Condylox)
Podofilox (Condylox) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Use only for anal or genital warts
Podofilox (Condylox) should only be used to treat anal or genital warts. You shouldn't use it on skin cancer, which can look like warts. Your healthcare professional (HCP) might get a biopsy of the area to make sure that this medication is appropriate to treat your condition.
Use only on skin
Only use podofilox (Condylox) on the skin surface. Avoid getting it in your eyes. If this medication gets in your eyes, wash it out with lots of water and then get medical attention. Don't use podofilox (Condylox) on mucous membranes such as inside the urethra (the passage where urine comes out), vagina, or rectum (inside the anus).
Flammable (gel form only)
The gel form of Podofilox (Condylox) can catch on fire easily, so keep it away from flames or lit cigarettes.
Podofilox (Condylox) dosage
Typical dosage for Podofilox (Condylox)
- Adults: Apply to the affected area(s) in the morning and evening (every 12 hours) for 3 days, then stop for 4 days. If needed, your healthcare team will ask you to repeat this 1-week cycle (up to 4 times) until the wart is gone. If the wart isn't gone after 4 treatment cycles, ask your healthcare professionals (HCP) about other treatment options.
Podofilox 0.5% solution is for genital warts only. Podofilox 0.5% gel is for both anal and genital warts.
Interactions between Podofilox (Condylox) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Podofilox (Condylox) cost?
Podofilox (Condylox) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Podofilox (Condylox) will not be safe for you to take.
- Skin cancer (which can look like warts)
What are alternatives to Podofilox (Condylox)?
Podofilox (Condylox) images
