Overview
DESCRIPTION: Podocon-25 ® is composed of Podophyllin (Podophyllum Resin, American) 25% in Benzoin Tincture. Podophyllum Resin is the powdered mixture of resins removed from the May apple or Mandrake ( Podophyllum peltatum Linne’ ), a perennial plant of northern and middle United States (1) .
Mechanism of Action
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY: Podophyllin is a cytotoxic agent that has been used topically in the treatment of genital warts. It arrests mitosis in metaphase, an effect it shares with other cytotoxic agents such as the vinca alkaloids (2) . The active agent is podophyllotoxin, whose concentration varies with the type of podophyllin used; the American source normally containing one-fourth the amount of podophyllotoxin as the Indian source (3) . NOTE: PODOCON-25 ® IS TO BE APPLIED ONLY BY A PHYSICIAN. IT IS NOT TO BE DISPENSED TO THE PATIENT.
Indications
- INDICATIONS: Podocon-25 ® (25% podophyllin in benzoin tincture) is indicated for the removal of soft genital (venereal) warts (condylomata acuminata) (4) .
Common Doses
- Refer to label
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: PODOCON-25 ® IS TO BE APPLIED ONLY BY A PHYSICIAN. IT IS NOT TO BE DISPENSED TO THE PATIENT. SHAKE WELL. Thoroughly cleanse affected area. Use supplied applicator to apply Podocon-25 ® sparingly to lesion. Avoid contact with healthy tissue. Allow to dry thoroughly. Only intact (no bleeding) lesions should be treated. As podophyllin is a powerful caustic and severe irritant, it is recommended the first application of Podocon-25 ® be left in contact for only a short time (30-40 minutes) to determine patient’s sensitivity.
Contraindications
- CONTRAINDICATIONS: Podocon-25 ® is contraindicated in diabetics, patients using steroids or with poor blood circulation. Podocon-25 ® should not be used on bleeding warts, moles, birthmarks or unusual warts with hair growing from them. It is recommended that Podocon-25 ® not be used during pregnancy (see Pregnancy warning below).
Side Effects
- ADVERSE REACTIONS: The use of topical podophyllin has been known to result in paresthesia, polyneuritis, paralytic ileus, pyrexia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, coma and death (5) . Pregnancy: There have been reports of complications associated with the topical use of podophyllin on condylomata of pregnant patients including birth defects, fetal death and stillbirth (6) . In the absence of controlled safety studies, podophyllin remains contraindicated for use on pregnant patients. Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether podophyllin is excreted in human milk following topical application.
Interactions
- No major interactions listed on the FDA label. Always consult a healthcare professional.