Viferon for warts

Viral warts can appear on the skin of any part of the body infected with the human papilloma virus. One of the most effective antiviral agents for external use is Viferon. It belongs to the class of interferons and has a direct virucidal effect, penetrating into the affected cells.

Due to this action, Viferon can be used for warts of viral origin. They are hemispherical nodules, rising above the skin level, with an uneven surface. They are localized in different places, but most often on the face and hands, as well as the soles of the feet. Plantar warts are a type of vulgar warts, their appearance, in addition to infection with a virus, is provoked by pressure from shoes and increased sweating of the feet. Warts on the feet are dense, keratinized from constant stress, grow inward and cause great discomfort while walking.

Indications Viferon for warts

The drug is intended for the prevention and treatment of viral infections, according to the manufacturer's instructions, herpes and influenza. The antiviral activity of Viferon allows it to be used to relieve the manifestations of other viral infections, in particular, the papillomavirus. [ 1 ]

Our article will discuss the use of this drug for the treatment of vulgar warts of any location, including those that cause the greatest discomfort – plantar warts.

Before using the drug, it is necessary to show the growths to a dermatologist. [ 2 ]

Release form

All variations are intended for application to areas with dysplastic changes.

Viferon ointment, which contains the main active ingredient, human recombinant interferon α-2b, 1 g of ointment contains 40 thousand IU, and additional - vitamin E acetate, anhydrous lanolin. The basis is medical petroleum jelly, the second fatty component is peach oil. In addition, to create the necessary consistency, the drug contains purified water. This form is recommended for the treatment of various types of vulgar warts.

Viferon suppositories, which contain the same active ingredient, 1 g of suppository contains 150 thousand IU and 500 thousand IU, and additional - vitamin C, sodium ascorbate, vitamin E acetate, disodium edetate dihydrate, polysorbate-80, a fat component, which is cocoa butter or its substitutes. Suppositories are intended for the treatment of viral infections of anourogenital localization and for providing a systemic effect.

Viferon gel, with the same main active ingredient in the composition, 1 g of gel contains 36 thousand IU, and additional - vitamin E acetate, aliphatic sulfur-containing α-amino acid methionine, benzoic acid, citric acid food in the form of monohydrate, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, sodium chloride, human serum albumin, glycerol (distilled glycerin), sodium carmellose, ethyl alcohol 95%, purified water. Gel for the treatment of vulgar warts is not recommended. It has a lower concentration of the active antiviral ingredient, which makes it a more suitable preventive measure. In addition, the ointment contains fatty components that help soften the wart and promote the penetration of interferon deep into the formation. This is especially important for removing plantar thorns.

Viferon cream - this form is not declared by the manufacturer. This is an intermediate form between an ointment and a gel. The ointment is made on the basis of fat components, the gel - on the basis of water and alcohol. The depth of penetration of the ointment is the greatest, the cream does not penetrate as deeply, and the gel has the most superficial effect of all the named forms.

Pharmacodynamics

The active ingredient of the ointment is human interferon α-2b, obtained using genetic engineering, i.e. recombinant. It has antiviral and immunostimulating activity, and also prevents dysplastic changes in tissues under the influence of viruses.

The auxiliary components of the drug increase its antiviral activity, promoting tissue softening, penetration of the active ingredient into the formation and stimulation of phagocytosis at the site of application of the ointment. [ 3 ]

The basic component, purified petroleum jelly, softens and protects the area of application; tocopherol acetate, which has pronounced antioxidant properties, in addition to the action of the main component, enhances the stimulation of local immunity; anhydrous lanolin, provides the necessary viscosity of the ointment and temperature stability at the site of application for the effectiveness of the antiviral action, and also increases the conductivity of the active component of the ointment.

Peach oil has an anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect, and water is needed to obtain the optimal consistency of the product.

A well-designed composition of ingredients allows for the eradication of the virus, healing of damaged skin and prevention of the spread of infection.

Pharmacokinetics

When applied to the skin, penetration of the active component into the systemic bloodstream has no clinical significance. It has a superficial effect on cells affected by the virus, stopping its reproduction and further spread.

Dosing and administration

To remove warts, it is necessary to lubricate the neoplasm up to four times daily, capturing the skin around it by about 2 mm. According to reviews, the effect does not occur immediately, but after about 7-10 days of use. The speed depends on the size and, as for plantar formations, the depth of the wart. The skin is lubricated until the formations disappear completely. Several warts are treated simultaneously. Softened and exfoliated skin can be periodically removed with a pumice stone or a file. [ 6 ]

It takes about a month to remove complex and advanced growths. The most effective treatment will be for recently appeared warts. [ 7 ]

• Application for children

The ointment can be used to treat viral warts in children over 1 year of age.

Use Viferon for warts during pregnancy

Since the ointment only acts at the site of application, its use by pregnant and lactating women is not prohibited. [ 4 ]

Contraindications

The patient has an individual hypersensitivity reaction to the ingredients of the drug, infancy (up to 1 year).

Side effects Viferon for warts

The vast majority of cases of applying the ointment to the skin did not result in the development of side effects, however, local reactions in the form of local rashes or hyperemia are not excluded. More often, local adverse reactions occurred when using the ointment on the mucous membranes of the nasal passages in the form of increased secretion of discharge, itching, sneezing. Such manifestations were not pronounced and completely disappeared upon discontinuation of use. [ 5 ]

Overdose

Data are unknown. However, given the low systemic absorption, overdose is unlikely.

Interactions with other drugs

No clinically significant interactions have been identified. The ointment is well combined with other antiviral agents.

Storage conditions

It is better to keep the package with the ointment in the refrigerator at a positive temperature of 2 to 8 ° C, excluding access by minors. The expiration date is indicated on the package. No more than a year from the date of production. After the expiration of the specified date, it is prohibited to use the ointment.

Shelf life

After opening the tube of ointment, the contents can be used within a month. If the ointment is packaged in a jar, its shelf life after opening is two weeks.

Analogues

If we consider drugs with similar antiviral action, then oxolinic ointment is used to remove viral warts. The manufacturer recommends applying it to the nasal passages to prevent flu, just like Viferon. However, smart consumers decided that if the product has antiviral activity, then it should also cope with viral warts. There are reviews that the ointment works, although there are many negative ones.

Groprinosin tablets also have an antiviral effect and the indications indicate that they work against the human papilloma virus. However, the drug must be taken orally, and this is too harmful for removing warts.

They can be eliminated with the help of external preparations of a different action. They can be cauterized with Collomac, Solcoderm, Verrukacid, lapis pencil. Layered peeling can be done with keratolytics - Salicylic acid or paste, Vartox. Arrange home cryodestruction of warts with the drug Cryopharma. These are more radical means and they act faster, however, the human papilloma virus can remain in the skin and warts will appear again. Although it often self-eliminates in the body. So the choice is yours. It is simply advisable, before starting radical treatment, to make sure that the neoplasm is really a wart.