Podophyllum

How does Podophyllum work?

Podophyllum can stop cell duplication and new growth. It can also have laxative effects.

Are there safety concerns?

Podophyllum seems safe for most people when applied to skin with no open areas, under medical supervision. It is highly UNSAFE when taken by mouth. Podophyllum may cause skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, spasms, fever, visual changes, low blood pressure, and kidney problems.

Podophyllum seems safe for most people when applied in low concentrations to small areas with protection of bordering skin, and washed off within four to six hours. Contact with skin should not exceed six hours. Podophyllum is UNSAFE when used in higher concentrations or over large areas of the body. It is absorbed through the skin and can cause the same serious adverse effects as taking podophyllum by mouth.

Do not use podophyllum if:

• You are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Dosing considerations for Podophyllum.

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

APPLIED TO THE SKIN:

• Podophyllum should not be used for self-treatment. Covering too much skin with podophyllum or applying it to broken skin increases the chance of getting poisoned. It's safer to use podophyllotoxin (one of the chemicals in podophyllum).
• For genital warts caused by human papilloma virus (HPV): A 0.5% podophyllotoxin gel is applied twice daily for three days in a row and repeated for two to four cycles. Podophyllotoxin is a chemical taken from podophyllum. Podophyllotoxin (podofilox, Condylox) is an FDA-approved drug. Podophyllotoxin might be more effective than podophyllum and is less toxic.