Condylox Gel: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Condylox Gel (podofilox topical) is a prescription topical keratolytic used to treat external genital warts and perianal warts. It works by stopping wart cells from dividing, causing the wart tissue to die and eventually fall off. It is applied by the patient at home following a doctor's instructions but does not cure genital warts.

What is Condylox Gel

Condylox is a prescription gel that stops the growth of certain cells. It is used to treat genital warts on the outside of the body, but it does not cure genital warts.

Condylox Gel uses

• Treats external genital warts (condylomata acuminata)
• Treats warts on the skin between the rectum and the genitals (perianal warts)

Benefits of Condylox Gel

• Destroys visible wart tissue at the site where it's applied
• Can be applied by the patient at home following a doctor's instructions
• Turns warts from a normal skin color to a dry, crusted, dead look before they fall off

How Condylox Gel works

Condylox stops the wart cells from dividing, which causes the wart tissue to die and eventually fall off. The exact way it does this is not fully known.

Condylox Gel dosage

Wash your hands before applying the gel, and wash the treatment area and let it dry completely before applying. Apply using the cotton applicator provided or with your finger, only on the wart tissue pointed out by your doctor, avoiding healthy skin. If a wart is in a skin fold, spread the skin apart to apply, and let the medicine dry before letting the skin fold return to its normal position. Wash your hands again after applying.

This medicine is usually applied in the morning and evening for 3 days in a row, followed by 4 days without using it, and this cycle may be repeated as directed by your doctor. Do not have sexual intercourse on the days you apply the gel. Do not use more often or for longer than your doctor recommends, since using more will not work better and may increase side effects.

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose - do not double up. Not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• Gel
• Solution

Side effects of Condylox Gel

Common

• Mild skin irritation where the medicine was applied (pain, swelling, burning, redness, itching, tingling, blisters, crusting, dryness, peeling)
• Headache, dizziness
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Unpleasant skin odor
• Nausea, vomiting
• Pain during sex

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Severe skin reaction at the application site: severe itching, burning, oozing, bleeding, or skin changes
• Significant bleeding or deep sores/ulcers at the application site

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Condylox on any warts or skin growths that have not been checked by your doctor.
• Using more Condylox than directed will not make it work better and may increase side effects.
• Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes. If this happens, rinse with water and call your doctor. Do not place the gel in your rectum, vagina, or urethra; if it gets into these areas, rinse with water.
• Condylox does not cure genital warts and does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Avoid unprotected sex and talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent spreading infection during sex.
• The gel is flammable. Do not use it near high heat or open flame, or while smoking.
• This product is not meant to treat warts on moist inner skin surfaces (mucous membranes) such as the urethra, rectum, or vagina.
• It is not known whether Condylox will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.
• It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using Condylox.
• No standard kidney-specific dose adjustment is established because treatment is topical. No standard hepatic dose adjustment is established. No major direct alcohol interaction is established. Condylox does not normally impair driving.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Do not freeze.
• Condylox gel is flammable. Do not use it near high heat or open flame, or while you are smoking.
• Keep the tube cap tightly closed.
• Keep out of reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Wash off the medicine and call your doctor right away if you have a serious skin reaction such as severe itching, burning, oozing, bleeding, or skin changes where the medicine is applied.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 treatment cycles.
• If you think you may have used too much, seek emergency medical help or contact your local poison control center; symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, flu symptoms, mouth and throat sores, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, confusion, trouble breathing, or seizures.

Alternatives

• Imiquimod topical treatment
• Sinecatechins ointment
• Cryotherapy performed by a healthcare professional
• Trichloroacetic acid treatment by a healthcare professional