One percent of the population has genital warts at any given time, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital warts are caused by several different strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. Most often genital warts have a raised cauliflower-like appearance and form in clusters. The Mayo Clinic website reports that 30 percent of genital warts will go away without treatment. While both medical and surgical options exist, physicians will often choose medications to treat mild to moderate cases of genital warts.
Imiquimod
Imiquimod, or Aldara, is a topical medication used to treat external genital warts. Imiquimod works by boosting the immune system, allowing it to fight the virus that causes genital warts. Patients should avoid using imiquimod on the inside the penis, vagina or rectum, as it may cause skin irritation and unwanted side effects. Proper use of imiquimod for genital warts includes applying a thin layer to the warts once a day at bedtime three times per week. Patients should avoid sexual contact while wearing the ointment, and wash hands thoroughly after application. Patients should use the medicine until the wart is gone, but not for longer than six weeks. Side effects of the medication include blisters on the skin, chills, cough, open sores or scabs, sneezing, sore throat and difficulty breathing.
Podofilox
Podofilox, or Condylox, is a topical medication used to remove certain types of warts on the outer area of the genitals. Like imiquimod, podofilox should not be used on genital warts occurring inside the penis, vagina or rectum. Podofilox works by destroying the tissue of the wart. The medication is available as a gel, jelly or solution. Patients should apply podofilox twice a day, three days in a row using an applicator tip. Patients should then avoid using the medication for four days, and then begin a new cycle. Treatments may continue for up to four weeks. Side effects of podofilox include bad odor, bleeding of the skin, bloody urine, dizziness, headache, burning feeling on treated skin, skin ulcers and scarring.
Trichloroacetic Acid
Trichloroacetic acid, or TCA, is a caustic agent that works by burning off warts. Unlike podofilox and imiquimod, TCA can be used to treat internal warts on the penis, rectum and vagina. TCA solution has a watery consistency that makes the possibility of spreading the liquid to unaffected areas likely. Physicians must apply the solution due to the drug's ability to damage healthy surrounding tissues. Physicians will apply a small amount of TCA on the wart and allow the solution to dry, at which time a white coating will appear over the area. Patients may notice a burning sensation upon application that dissipates over several minutes. Few side effects are associated with this medication. Physicians can perform treatments weekly until warts disappear.
