II. Indications

III. Background

  1. Use by clinicians started in the 1940s
  2. Podophyllotoxin is a purified form of Podophyllin

IV. Preparation

  1. Podophyllin 15-25% solution in tincture of Benzoin

V. Technique

  1. Apply with cotton applicator
  2. Apply test first to small area of warts
  3. Allow solution to dry after application
  4. Wash off in 1-4 hours (earlier if burning)
  5. Repeat application at 1 week intervals for 3-6 weeks

VI. Precautions

  1. Perform only in office, not at home
  2. Do not apply more than 0.5 ml
  3. Severe local irritation if
    1. Prolonged, excessive applications, high concentration
    2. Under prepuce can be very irritating
  4. Avoid during pregnancy (FDA pregnancy category X)
  5. Do not use in infants
  6. Do not treat large area at one time
    1. Limit application area to <10 cm^2
    2. Limit amount applied to <0.5 ml per treatment
    3. Risk of systemic absorption leading to toxicity
    4. Toxicity may result in Convulsions or death
  7. Do not apply to mucosa (e.g. vagina, Cervix, anus)
    1. Risk of dysplasia

VII. Efficacy

  1. Similar efficacy to other agents for warts

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Ontology: podophyllin (C0032333)

Definition (NCI) A resin extracted from the root of the plant Podophyllum sp. Berberidaceae (mandrake), which contains numerous compounds, among which podophyllotoxin is the principal active component. Podophyllin arrests mitosis in metaphase. Podophyllotoxin offers advantages over podophyllin in terms of purity, stability and lack of systemic toxicity. (NCI04)
Definition (MSH) Caustic extract from the roots of Podophyllum peltatum and P. emodi. It contains PODOPHYLLOTOXIN and its congeners and is very irritating to mucous membranes and skin. Podophyllin is a violent purgative that may cause CNS damage and teratogenesis. It is used as a paint for warts, skin neoplasms, and senile keratoses.
Definition (CSP) caustic extract from the roots of Podophyllum species; it contains podophyllotoxin and its congeners and is very irritating to mucous membranes and skin; it is a violent purgative that may cause CNS damage and teratogenesis; used as a paint for warts, skin neoplasms, and senile keratoses.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D011033
SnomedCT 255678003, 387398009, 71462001
English Podophyllin, Podophyllum Resin, Resin, Podophyllum, podophyllum resin, Podophyllin [Chemical/Ingredient], PODOPHYLLUM RESIN, Podophyllin (substance), Podophyllum resin, Podophyllum resin (product), Podophyllum resin (substance), Mayapple Extract, Podophyllin Resin, podophyllin, PODOPHYLLIN
Swedish Podofyllin
Czech podofylin
Finnish Podofylliini
Russian PODOFILLIN, ПОДОФИЛЛИН
Japanese ポドフィリン, ポドフィルム脂
Italian Resina di podofillo, Podofillina
Spanish resina de podofilino, resina de podofilino (sustancia), resina de podofilina, resina de podofilina (sustancia), podofilina (sustancia), podofilina (producto), podofilina, podofilino (sustancia), podofilino, resina de podófilo, Podofilino
Polish Podofilina
French Calomel végétal, Podophylline
German Podophyllin
Portuguese Podofilina