An Open, Comparative, Study of the Efficacy of 0.5% Podophyllotoxin Lotion and 25% Podophyllotoxin Solution in the Treatment of Condylomata Acuminata in Males and Females

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The efficacy and safety of topical treatment for external condylomata acuminata with either self-applied 0.5% podophyllotoxin (PT) or hospital-applied 25% podophyllin (PODO) solution was compared in 138 males and 67 females in an open multicentre study. After one week of treatment, wart clearance was observed in 53% of males and 37% of females in the PT group as compared with 19% of males and 19% of females in the PODO group ( P < 0.001 in males; P = 0.13 in females). At 5 weeks after commencing treatment, clearance of warts had been achieved in 86% males and 72% females in the PT group as compared with 78% of males and 62% females in the PODO group ( P = 0.08 in males; P = 0.14 in females). Treatment had cleared 81% of 180 treated sites in all PT recipients as compared with 61% of 95 treated sites in all PODO recipients ( P < 0.001). The increased speed of action of PT was associated with an increased incidence of symptoms and signs of inflammation at treatment sites in both males and females ( P < 0.001). These were generally mild, did not interfere with continuing treatment, and were more frequent in those patients whose warts were eradicated most rapidly. Home-based treatment with 0.5% podophyllotoxin lotion in appropriately instructed patients of either sex is superior in efficacy to outpatient applied 25% podophyllin and has the potential to reduce the number of hospital attendances required in genital wart eradication.