What is Podofilox Topical?
Podofilox prevents the growth of certain types of cells.
Podofilox topical (for the skin) is used to treat genital warts that appear on the outside of the body, but this medicine is not a cure for genital warts.
Podofilox topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Podofilox Topical?
Do not use this medication on any warts or skin growths that have not been checked by your doctor.
Using more of this medication will not make it work better, and may increase side effects.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water and call your doctor. Do not place the gel or solution in your rectum, vagina, or urethra. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse with water.
Avoid having unprotected sex. Podofilox is not a cure for genital warts, and it will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent transmission during sex.
Wash your hands before and after applying podofilox topical.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Podofilox Topical?
You should not use podofilox topical if you are allergic to it.
Do not use this medication on any warts or skin growths that have not been checked by your doctor.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether podofilox topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication..
It is not known whether podofilox topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Podofilox Topical Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Podofilox Topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Wash off the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious skin reaction such as severe itching, burning, oozing, bleeding, or skin changes where the medicine is applied.
Less serious side effects may include:
- mild skin irritation, tenderness, bleeding, dryness, peeling, tingling, scarring, blistering, crusting, or swelling of the skin where the medicine was applied
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- unpleasant skin odor
- nausea, vomiting; or
- pain during sex
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Podofilox Topical Interactions
What other drugs affect Podofilox Topical?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied podofilox. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Podofilox Topical?
Do not have sex on the days you apply podofilox topical.
Avoid getting this medication in your eyes. If this does happen, rinse with water and call your doctor. Do not place the gel or solution in your rectum, vagina, or urethra. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse with water.
Avoid having unprotected sex. Podofilox is not a cure for genital warts, and it will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent transmission during sex.
Podofilox Topical Dosage
How should I take Podofilox Topical?
Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your healthcare provider may show you how to apply this medicine at home.
Using more of this medication will not make it work better, and may increase side effects.
Wash your hands before applying podofilox topical. Also wash the skin area to be treated, and allow it to dry completely before applying the medicine.
Apply the medication using the cotton applicator provided or with your finger. Apply podofilox only to the wart tissue and avoid getting it on healthy skin. If the genital wart is in a skin fold, spread the skin apart and apply the medicine. Allow the treated skin to dry before releasing the skin fold.
This medication is usually applied in the morning and evening for 3 days in a row, followed by 4 days of not using the medicine. This 7-day treatment cycle should be repeated up to 4 times, or until you can no longer see any signs of wart tissue.
Wash your hands again after applying podofilox topical.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 treatment cycles.
Podofilox topical is not a cure for genital warts and it may not keep you from spreading this condition to others through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You may develop new lesions during treatment with podofilox topical. For best results, keep using the medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.
This medication is flammable. Do not use it near high heat or open flame, or while you are smoking.
What happens if I overdose on Podofilox Topical?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may result if you absorb this medicine through your skin by applying too much of it. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, flu symptoms, sores in your mouth and throat, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet, confusion, trouble breathing, or seizure (convulsions).
What happens if I miss a dose of Podofilox Topical?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com