Preparations for Warts and Calluses

Warning

General Notes

Warts may regress on their own. Treatment is required if warts are painful, unsightly, persistent or cause distress.

When treating warts the surrounding healthy skin should be protected before applying the ointment or solution. For common or plantar warts, treatment should be carried out daily and dead skin should be removed by rubbing with a pumice stone.

Common Warts

Preferred list (P)

SALICYLIC ACID WITH LACTIC ACID paint (Salactol®)

  • Salicylic acid 16.7% with lactic acid 16.7%

Plantar Warts

Preferred list (P)

SALICYLIC ACID 50% ointment (Verrugon®)

  • Product discontinued - replacement expected in due course.

Anogenital Warts

Preferred list (P)

PODOPHYLLOTOXIN 0.5% solution (Condyline®)

Condyline® has been discontinued. Alternative products are being explored.

 

Total list (T)

PODOPHYLLOTOXIN 0.15% cream (Warticon®

Podophyllotoxin (Warticon®) 0.15% cream is out of stock until mid-October 2024.

  • See Medicines Supply Notification 2024/069 for more information.

 

Specialist initiation (S1)

IMIQUIMOD 5% cream (Aldara®)

  • Restriction: following specialist advice for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts (condylomata acuminata) in adults.

 

NHSL Joint Adult Formulary Key

To indicate the category of a formulary medicine, updated sections adopt the following key:

Preferred list (P): First-line formulary choices.

Total list (T): Alternative choices when preferred list options not effective/not tolerated, or not indicated.

Specialist initiation (S1): Specialist initiation, or on the advice of a Consultant or Specialist Practitioner in this therapeutic area. Continuation in primary care is acceptable.

Specialist use only (S2): Supply via hospital, Homecare Service or a hospital based prescription (HBP) for dispensing by community pharmacy. Not prescribed in primary care setting.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31/01/2022

Next review date: 31/01/2025

Author(s): NHSL.

Version: Please refer to the introduction section for an explanation of the review dates above.

Approved By: ADTC

Reviewer name(s): ADTC.