Sinecatechins Ointment: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Sinecatechins Ointment is a prescription-only topical medicine made from a purified extract of green tea leaves. It is used on the skin to treat external warts around the genital and rectal areas caused by HPV. It does not treat warts inside the vagina, penis, or rectum, and it is applied for up to 16 weeks as directed by a doctor.

What is Sinecatechins Ointment

Sinecatechins Ointment is a prescription-only medicine made from a purified extract of green tea leaves. It is used on the skin to treat external warts around the genital and rectal areas caused by HPV.

Sinecatechins Ointment uses

• Treats external warts around the genital and rectal areas (condylomata acuminata)
• Not used to treat warts inside the vagina, penis, or rectum

Benefits of Sinecatechins Ointment

• Can clear visible warts, relieving discomfort
• May help prevent spreading external genital warts to others when warts are cleared

How Sinecatechins Ointment works

It is not exactly known how this medicine works, but it may work by blocking signals that make wart cells grow, and it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in lab studies.

Sinecatechins Ointment dosage

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine. This medicine is for use on the skin only; avoid getting it in the eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, or anus. Do not use on open wounds or on skin that has cuts or scrapes; if it gets on these areas, rinse it off right away. Do not use on moles, birthmarks, or other warts until you discuss it with your doctor.

Women using tampons should insert the tampon before applying the ointment, and avoid getting the ointment in the vagina if the tampon needs changing while the ointment is on the skin. Uncircumcised men treating warts under the foreskin should draw back the foreskin and clean the area daily.

Do not wash off the ointment from the treated area before applying the next dose; apply it after washing or bathing. Do not cover the treated area with a bandage unless your doctor tells you to; loose-fitting underwear may be worn. Keep using the medicine until all warts have cleared, but do not use it for longer than 16 weeks.

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.

Available forms and strengths

• Ointment, 15%

Side effects of Sinecatechins Ointment

Common

• Redness of skin
• Swelling of skin
• Sores or blisters
• Burning of skin
• Itching skin
• Pain or discomfort in skin
• Peeling, cracking, or breakdown of skin
• Hardening or thickening of skin
• Unusually warm skin

Serious

• Bleeding of skin
• Blood in urine
• Break in the skin with blue-black discoloration, swelling, or fluid drainage
• Burning or itching around the anus
• Changes in skin coloring
• Discharge from skin
• Increased frequency of urination
• Increased sensitivity to pain or touch
• Pain or burning during urination
• Pelvic pain
• Problems with the foreskin of the penis
• Rash with flat or small raised lesions on the skin
• Scarring of skin
• Skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
• Swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Tingling in the hands and feet

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine on open wounds, or on broken, inflamed, or infected skin, as it may make these conditions worse.
• Avoid exposing the treated skin to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds, since the medicine may make your skin more sensitive to light.
• Avoid sexual contact while the ointment is on your skin. If you do have sexual contact, wash the ointment off first, since it can weaken latex condoms and diaphragms and cause them to fail.
• This medicine does not stop you from spreading genital warts to others, and it does not cure the virus that causes the warts. New warts may appear during or after treatment.
• This medicine should not be used for longer than 16 weeks, and its safety for repeat treatment courses beyond that has not been established.
• People with weakened immune systems, including those on immune-suppressing medicines, should not use this medicine because its safety has not been established in this group.
• This medicine may stain clothing and bedding.
• Do not use other skin care products, cosmetics, or additional wart treatments on the same area unless your doctor tells you to.
• There is little to no information on using this medicine during pregnancy. It should not be used in pregnancy unless your doctor decides the benefits outweigh the possible risks to the baby.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits against the possible risks before you use it while breastfeeding.
• Systemic absorption is very low, and no routine renal dose adjustment is established.
• No standard hepatic dose adjustment is established.
• No major direct alcohol interaction is established.
• Veregen is topical and is not expected to impair driving.

Storage

• Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
• Store between 5°C and 25°C. Do not store above 25°C.
• Use within 6 weeks after first opening the tube.
• Make sure the cap on the tube is tightly closed.
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

When to see a doctor

• Call your doctor right away if you get a severe skin reaction - stop using the ointment and wash the area with mild soap and water first.
• Check with your doctor if your warts have not improved after 16 weeks of treatment, or if your condition gets worse.
• Stop treatment and call your doctor right away if you develop open sores or other severe reactions where you applied the ointment.
• Check with your doctor immediately if you notice skin blistering, peeling, breakdown, cracking, unusual coloring changes, bleeding, blood in urine, or swollen and tender lymph glands.

Alternatives

• Imiquimod
• Cryotherapy
• Podofilox