Wartek - Wartec

podophyllotoxin

Wartek is used to treat warts on the outside of the genitals. It causes the wart to die and eventually peel off. It acts by preventing viral wart cells from dividing and multiplying. Eventually all the wart cells die and new healthy cells grow in their place. It has mild side effects and is well-suited for treatment at home.

Wartek contains podophyllotoxin in a white cream base for topical application. It is an antimitotic. Podophyllotoxin is derived from the roots of the Indian podophyllum planta metaphase and is inhibitor of dividing cells.

Wartek is applied directly to genital warts. When it penetrates the wart tissue, it has a toxic effect on the nuclei of the wart cells. The nucleus is the cell's control centre. It controls cell division and multiplication (mitosis). This results in the healthy growth of tissue.

The chemotherapeutic action of podophyllotoxin is assumed to be due to inhibition of growth and the ability to invade the tissue of the virus-infected cells. Podophyllotoxin prevents cell division in the virus-infected cells of the condylomata acuminata.

Treating genital warts does not cure infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts. The virus may remain in the body in an inactive state after warts are removed. A person treated for genital warts may still be able to spread the infection. Condoms may help reduce the risk of HPV infection.

It should be applied 2 times/day, but not to exceed 0.5 ml per day. The affected area should be thoroughly washed with soap and water, and dried prior to application. Do not wash the Wartec off! Wartec is used for three days, followed by four days without applying it (this is one treatment course). Then you can restart application cycle. But not more than four times.

In most cases side effects are mild and will pass. Local skin irritation may occur, skin redness, swelling, itching, burning, pain/tenderness of the skin. If you experience any side effects near or on the area you apply Wartec and they worry you, call your doctor.