Topical Podophyllin And Podophyllotoxin For Treatments Of Genital Warts : A Comparative Study

The efficacy of podophllin and podophyllotoxin was compared in the treatment of genital warts in 72 men. Thirty five men in group A were treated with 20% podophyllin in tincture benzoin compound at weekly intervals while 37 men in group B were advised to apply0.5% podophyllotoxin solution twice a day for 3 consecutive days every week. Study period was for 6 weeks with follow up to6 months. Majority of men, 40(55.5%) were aged below 30 years. Thirty four (47.2%) were unmarried. Fifty six (77.7%) had heterosexual contact with CSws. The mean duration of genital warts was 4.8 months in group A and 5.7 months in group B. The mean number of treatment cycles was 4.8 in podophyllin group and 4.6 in podophyllotoxin group. After 6 week, 29(82.8%) men of podophyllin group and 33 (89.1%) of podophyllotoxin group were completely cured. At the end of 6 months of follow up, 8 (28.5%) men in group A and 11 (32.3%) in group B showed some evidence of recurrence of warts. Both podophyllin and podophyllotoxin were equally effective in the treatment of genital warts. However, podophyllotoxin has the advantage that it can be prescribed as a domiciliary treatment.