Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(12):1447-1454
Author disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
| Name | Dosage | Dose form | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinecatechins (Veregen) | 0.5-cm strand of ointment applied to each wart three times per day until complete clearance, up to 16 weeks | 15-g ointment | $251 |
SAFETY
Serious adverse effects of sinecatechins that led to interruption or discontinuation of therapy in 5 percent of patients included application site reactions, phimosis, inguinal lymphade-nitis, urethral meatal stenosis, dysuria, genital herpes simplex, vulvitis, hypersensitivity, pruritus, pyodermitis, skin ulceration, erosions in the urethral meatus, and superinfection of warts and ulcers.1 Sinecatechins is FDA pregnancy category C (podofilox [Condylox] and imiquimod [Aldara] are also category C).1–4 It has not been studied in pregnant women, and whether it is excreted in breast milk is unknown.1
TOLERABILITY
Sinecatechins causes side effects similar to those of podofilox or imiquimod, with rates between 5 and 18 percent.1 The most common were application site reactions (e.g., erythema, pruritus, burning, pain/discomfort, erosion/ulceration, edema, induration).1–4 If these reactions occur, treatment may need to be discontinued or stopped temporarily, with the option of restarting after the reaction subsides.5,6 Sinecatechins should not be used in conjunction with other skin products or on broken skin.1 There are no known drug interactions or contraindications.1
EFFECTIVENESS
Currently available treatment options for genital and perianal warts include cryotherapy, podophyllum resin, trichloroacetic acid, surgical removal, or patient-applied therapy with podofilox 0.5% topical solution or gel and imiquimod 5% cream.2–4,7,8 After 16 weeks of treatment on average, sinecatechins causes complete clearance of warts in 53 to 58 percent of patients, compared with a clearance rate of 33 to 37 percent with placebo cream.5,6 This effectiveness appears to be greater than that demonstrated with imiquimod and podofilox,9 although no studies have directly compared sinecatechins with these products. Recurrence of warts will affect 5.9 to 6.5 percent of patients using sine-catechins; those using imiquimod and podofilox may have higher rates of recurrence.5,6,9 No research has determined whether topical treatments eradicate the strains of human papillomavirus that cause genital warts (i.e., types 6 and 11). However, these strains have not been associated with the development of cervical cancer.7
PRICE
The cost of sinecatechins is $251 for a 15-g tube. In comparison, eight weeks of treatment with Aldara is $551 for 24 single-use packets (0.25 g per packet). Generic podofilox is available in a 3.5-mL solution for $106; Condylox is available as a 0.5% solution for $130 or a 0.5% gel (3.5-g tube) for $283.
SIMPLICITY
Sinecatechins is applied three times per day for up to 16 weeks, which is more frequent than other patient-applied treatments. In general, sinecatechins does not need to be washed off following application; however, because it may weaken condoms or diaphragms, patients are advised to avoid sexual contact while the medication is applied or to wash off the medication before engaging in sexual activity. It can be refrigerated or, in cool climates, stored at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C).1
Bottom Line
Sinecatechins offers no clear advantage with regard to safety and tolerability. Indirect comparisons with other treatments suggest that sinecatechins may be more effective, with fewer recurrences of warts following successful treatment, but direct comparisons are lacking. Depending on the length of treatment and size of application area, sinecate-chins may be as expensive as current therapies available for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts, although it does offer the option of patient-applied therapy.
