Verrucacid for warts

Although warts are benign neoplasms and mostly do not pose a threat to life, they spoil the appearance when located in visible places or cause functional inconvenience, sometimes they hurt, for example, plantar warts when walking. [ 1 ] They are provoked by the human papillomavirus [ 2 ], the treatment for which has not yet been invented. It is possible to get rid of warts on the skin, and the drug verrukacid helps with this.

It contains active ingredients called phenol, metacresol [ 3 ] and auxiliary substances: ethyl alcohol and purified water.

Indications Verrucacide

Verrukacid is used to remove:

• vulgar warts, most common in school-aged children and most often appearing on the hands and face;
• plantar - keratinized dense tubercles, sometimes growing into the deep layers of the skin and causing painful sensations;
• filiform - elongated formations (5-6 mm) on a stalk. They are localized on the face, neck, armpits, under the mammary glands in women;
• pointed condylomas that appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, and around the anus;
• dry calluses;
• keratomas formed as a result of age-related changes in the epidermis.

Release form

The product is available in the form of an oily solution, poured into a dark bottle equipped with an applicator, weight 2g.

Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacological action of verrukatsid is cauterizing, carried out due to coagulation (coagulation) of skin proteins. Mummification of formations occurs, and then the crusts fall off and the focus of pathology heals.

Pharmacokinetics

Active substances have a local effect without entering the systemic bloodstream.

Dosing and administration

To minimize side effects, the liquid is applied using a special applicator or a thin stick. Formations up to 2 mm in diameter are treated once, slightly larger warts, keratomas and dry calluses - 3-4 times, allowing the preparation to dry, plantar and hand calluses - 7-10 times every 3-4 minutes. This procedure is carried out once a week until the lesion disappears, maximum after 6 weeks. [ 5 ]

Before using Verrukacid, overly keratinized neoplasms should be prepared as follows: lubricate with salicylic ointment or another with keratolytic action, apply compress paper on top, seal with a plaster or wrap with a bandage. Remove after a few hours, steam the skin in hot water with soda and detergent, cut off the horny layer, dry with a towel.

To prevent burns around the treated area, lubricate it with zinc ointment. [ 6 ] It is not recommended to remove pointed condylomas on your own, but in a treatment room.

If necessary, a repeat procedure is performed no earlier than a week later.

Their total number can be 4-5.

• Application for children

Verrukacid is not used for children under 7 years of age.

Use Verrucacide during pregnancy

External use cannot negatively affect the fetus, since placental penetration does not occur. [ 4 ] During breastfeeding, it is best to refrain from removing this type of neoplasm in the chest and hands with the drug.

Contraindications

Verrukatsid is not used to remove moles (pigment nevi), warts on the mucous membranes, the red border of the lips, or large clusters of tubercles (more than 20 cm). Other contraindications include hypersensitivity to its components, as well as early childhood.

Side effects Verrucacide

The drug can cause a burn if used carelessly and if it gets on healthy skin. To prevent this, remove the liquid immediately and wipe the surface with alcohol-containing solutions. Allergic reactions are also possible: rash, redness, swelling.

When treating nodules around the eyes with the drug, redness of the eyelids may occur, which must be eliminated by rinsing the eyes with water.

Interactions with other drugs

The substances included in Verrukacid are easily dissolved in ointments, so there is no need to use any of them before treatment with the drug.

Storage conditions

The bottle is stored in the cardboard box in which it is sold, the room temperature should not exceed +25°C, and the place should be inaccessible to children and out of direct sunlight.

Shelf life

The shelf life of the drug is 5 years from the date of manufacture.

Analogues

The following drugs are produced with a similar spectrum of action: Ferezol, Uroderm, Duofilm, Collomak.

Once diagnosed, treatment for warts depends on symptoms, patient preference, and cost. Although there are many treatments for warts, none are 100% effective, and recurrences can occur with any treatment.

The least expensive and least painful treatment should be tried first. More expensive and invasive treatments are usually reserved for multiple, frequently recurring warts. Observation is also part of the treatment and should always be taken into account. It is known that almost two thirds of warts disappear spontaneously within 24 months. The only thing is that there is a small risk that the wart may get bigger and even spread to other areas.

In most cases, a medication such as salicylic acid should be used to treat warts, which is often the first-line treatment for common warts. This medication does not require a prescription and can be used by the patient at home. The success rate of treatment is between 50% and 70%. [ 7 ]

Cryotherapy [ 8 ], retinoic acid [ 9 ], podophyllin [ 10 ], 5-fluorouracil [ 11 ], immunotherapy (use of drugs such as interferon, imiquimod, zinc, H2-receptor blockers, levamisole, etc.) [ 12 ]

Reviews

According to research, complete healing of warts after 6 weeks is observed in 82.6% of patients. [ 13 ] The overwhelming majority of reviews are about Verrukacid, as a drug that really got rid of warts and dry calluses. Some managed to do it in a short time, others had several sessions.