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.
Genital warts
Anal warts (gel only)
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.
Source:Â DailyMed
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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).
The gel form of Podofilox (Condylox) can catch on fire easily, so keep it away from flames or lit cigarettes.
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.
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.
Skin cancer (which can look like warts)
Genital warts
Anal warts (gel only)
Face or scalp actinic keratosis (scaly precancerous spot or growth on the skin) in adults - all brands and strengths
Genital and anal warts in adults and children 12 years and older - Zyclara 3.75% and Aldara 5% only
Superficial basal cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) in adults - Aldara 5% only
By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
Allergan, Inc. (2024). Condylox- podofilox gel [package insert]. DailyMed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Anogenital warts.
DrugBank Online. (2024). Podofilox.
Kodner, C. M., et al. (2004). Management of genital warts. American Family Physician.
Padagis US LLC. (2023). Podofilox gel [package insert]. DailyMed.
Padagis US LLC. (2023). Podofilox solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Shah, Z., et al. (2021). Podophyllotoxin: History, recent advances and future prospects. Biomolecules.
Tyring, S., et al. (1998). Safety and efficacy of 0.5% podofilox gel in the treatment of anogenital warts. Archives of Dermatology.
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.