What is Warticon 0.15% Cream? 

Warticon 0.15% Cream is a prescription-only topical medicine containing 0.15% podophyllotoxin, a plant-based ingredient that stops cells dividing. It’s approved by the MHRA in the UK to treat external genital warts on the vulva or penis in adults. By halting wart cell division, lesions shrink and fall off.

The treatment schedule is twice-daily for three consecutive days, then four days off, repeated weekly for up to four cycles. This allows you to manage treatment at home under general practitioner supervision. Warticon is for external use only on intact skin and for adults.

What is Warticon 0.15% Cream Used For? 

Genital Wart Removal – Shrinks and detaches visible warts on the penis and vulva in adults.
Inhibition of Wart Cell Growth – The podophyllotoxin prevents wart cells from dividing, stopping new growth.
Home-Based Treatment – A simple twice-daily, three-days-on, four-days-off routine under GP oversight. 

At 123Meds, we provide Warticon 0.15% Cream solely for the removal of external genital warts. If you’re considering it for any other condition, please seek further review from your general practitioner to confirm it’s suitable.

How Warticon 0.15% Cream Works 

Warticon 0.15% Cream targets the cells that cause genital warts. Its main ingredient, podophyllotoxin, prevents these cells from growing and causes them to break down and fall off over time.

Mechanism of Action: 

Stops Cell Growth – Podophyllotoxin prevents wart cells from dividing, so warts do not get larger or more numerous.
Cell-killing Action – It acts directly on the infected tissue, destroying wart cells and making them shrink and die.
Wart Removal – As treated cells break down, the warts dry up and naturally detach from the skin.

When are Genital Warts Confirmed, and Medication Needed?

Genital warts are generally diagnosed by a medical practitioner who performs a straightforward visual inspection of the affected area. If the wart-like growths appear unusual in shape, size or colour, a small tissue sample may be taken to rule out other conditions.

Treatment becomes necessary when warts persist without improving, spread over a large area, cause symptoms such as itching, bleeding or discomfort, or lead to concerns about infectivity and emotional distress. Beginning treatment under the supervision of a medical practitioner at an early stage can shorten the duration of the warts, reduce the risk of transmission and help restore peace of mind.

Physical causes of Genital Warts: 

HPV Infection – Certain strains of human papillomavirus (mainly types 6 and 11) enter the skin or lining via direct contact.
Tiny Skin Breaks – Small cuts or scrapes during sex let the virus in.
Warm, Damp Conditions – Genital areas provide the ideal environment for HPV to survive and multiply.

Psychological causes of Genital Warts: 

Stress Weakened Immunity – Long-term stress can make it harder for the body to clear HPV.
Delaying Help Through Anxiety – Shame or fear of judgement may put off treatment, letting warts spread further.

Symptoms of Genital Warts: 

Small, flesh-coloured bumps
Clusters resembling cauliflower
Itching or a burning feeling

If these symptoms last for several weeks, it is vital to consult a general practitioner. 

They will review your sexual and medical history before recommending the most suitable treatment plan. Options may include prescribed medication such as Warticon 0.15% Cream to clear external genital warts and prevent their spread, cryotherapy under general practitioner care to freeze them off, or minor surgery to remove larger or stubborn lesions.

Always seek advice from a medical practitioner to ensure your treatment is safe and tailored to your needs.

Can Warticon 0.15% Cream Be Purchased Over the Counter? 

Warticon 0.15% Cream is a Prescription Only Medicine (POM) in the UK, so you cannot obtain it without a valid prescription from a general practitioner or qualified prescriber.

In the UK, Warticon Cream is provided after an in-person or online consultation with a registered pharmacy. This ensures you get the right diagnosis, the correct treatment plan and checks for any side effects. Patients should consult a general practitioner, sexual health clinic or online prescriber to receive this treatment safely under professional oversight. 

Alternative Medications 

Several other prescribed treatments are available for external genital warts in the UK, each working in a different way and with its own application routine. Always seek medical advice to choose the best option for your needs and how well you tolerate it.

Condyline (podophyllotoxin 0.5% solution): You apply this liquid twice a day for three days each week. It uses the same active ingredient as Warticon but in a liquid form that may be easier to use on single warts or small clusters.

Aldara (imiquimod 5% cream): This cream boosts your local immune response. You use it three times a week until the warts clear. It can lower the chance of warts returning but may cause skin reactions, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the treated area.

Veregen (sinecatechins 15% ointment): Made from plant extracts, this ointment is applied three times a day for up to 16 weeks. It has both antioxidant and antiviral effects to help clear warts, with little absorbed into your body. However, it can be difficult to find in the UK.

Consult your 123Meds prescriber if you’re unsure which treatment option is most suitable for you.

How to Use Warticon 0.15% Cream 

Timing: Apply Warticon twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, on each of the three treatment days per cycle.

Dosage: For adults, spread a thin layer of Warticon 0.15% Cream directly onto each wart twice daily for three days in a row, using no more than a small dab (about the size of your fingertip) per wart. After three days of treatment, stop applying for four days to finish the seven-day cycle. You may repeat this weekly cycle up to four times or until the warts have gone. Do not exceed four cycles and avoid putting cream on normal skin. Use no more than 0.5 g of cream in total per day, and leave at least eight hours between applications to ensure it works properly.

With Food: You can apply Warticon Cream at any time, whether you’ve just eaten or not. Very little of the medicine passes into your bloodstream, and there are no known effects from food, so you don’t need to schedule doses around meals or snacks.

Avoid Alcohol: Although the cream works on the skin, drinking large amounts of alcohol can weaken your immune system and slow down the removal of warts. Cutting back on alcohol helps support skin healing and your body’s natural defences during treatment.

If you missed a dose of Warticon 0.15% Cream, apply it as soon as you remember—unless your next scheduled application is very near. Do not use extra cream to make up for a missed dose.

Warticon contains both active and inactive components that work together to treat genital warts.

Active Ingredient:

The active ingredient in Warticon Cream is podophyllotoxin 0.15%, which treats genital warts by stopping infected cells dividing, causing them to shrink and fall off naturally.

Inactive Ingredients:

Inactive substances such as alcohol, macrogol 400, citric acid monohydrate, sodium hydroxide and purified water help preserve the cream, keep the formula stable and aid absorption into the skin. These may vary slightly between manufacturers, so always check the packaging or consult your medical practitioner if you need more details.

Warticon 0.15% Cream is generally well tolerated when used as directed, but like all prescribed medication, it may cause some unwanted effects in certain people. It’s important to follow your prescriber’s instructions and watch your skin for any unusual reactions during treatment.

Common Side Effects: 

Redness – Mild redness may appear where the cream is applied.
Stinging – A brief stinging or burning feeling is common.
Dry Skin – Treated areas might become dry or flaky.
Irritation – Local skin irritation can develop, especially if used repeatedly.
Itching – You may feel itching at the application site.
Tenderness – The skin can feel sore or tender to touch.
Inflammation – Slight swelling may occur around the wart.
Ulceration – In some cases, the skin may break or form small sores.

Less Common but Serious Side Effects: 

Severe Skin Reaction – Intense burning, blistering or severe pain may signal a serious reaction and needs prompt medical attention.
Allergic Reaction – Signs such as rash, swelling or difficulty breathing may indicate an allergy and require immediate care.
Worsening of Symptoms – If warts spread or the treated area deteriorates, stop using the cream and consult your prescriber.

If you experience severe or lasting side effects such as intense burning, blistering or signs of an allergic reaction, you must seek immediate help from your prescriber, NHS 111 or A&E to prevent complications. Do not ignore worrying symptoms, as early care can make a big difference.

Before starting Warticon Cream, please ensure you have declared all existing health conditions so your prescriber can choose the most appropriate treatment and dosage.