Clinical Drug Experience Knowledgebase

Podofilox ((abbreviated as PPT), otherwise known as podofilox) is an antimitotic drug which can be chemically synthesized or purified from the plant families Coniferae and Berberidaceae (e.g. species of Juniperus and Podophyllum). Podofilox 0.5% solution is indicated for the topical treatment of external genital warts (Condyloma acuminatum). This product is not indicated in the treatment of perianal or mucous membrane warts. Treatment of genital warts with podofilox results in necrosis of visible wart tissue. The exact mechanism of action is unknown, but is believed to exert its antimitotic effect by binding to tubulin, at a site close to but not identical to the binding site of colchicine; it is thought that this antimitotic effect causes necrosis of wart tissue, the observed clinical effect. In addition, podofilox is known to interfere with nucleoside transport, which may also contribute to its action. Adverse effects reported in less than 5% of the patients included pain with intercourse, insomnia, tingling, bleeding, tenderness, chafing, malodor, dizziness, scarring, vesicle formation, crusting edema, dryness/peeling, foreskin irretraction, hematuria, vomiting and ulceration.   ^NCATS