HPV Treatment with Medication
Creams and Chemical Methods

Immune-Modulator Creams

The 5% cream form, which acts by activating the immune system, is applied 3 times a week at night and washed off after 6–10 hours. The maximum duration of use is 16 weeks.

It should not be applied to mucosal surfaces. The most common side effects are:

• Redness
• Irritation
• Erosion and crusting
• Bleeding superficial wounds
• Rarely, colour change

The success rate ranges between 40–70%. No systemic side effects have been reported.

Chemical Agents That Prevent Cell Division

These medications act by causing cell death in the wart cells. The success rate has been reported as between 45–77%.

However, in some cases, serious systemic side effects can be seen. It is absolutely not used during pregnancy. Because of the risk of chemical burns, it must be applied under physician supervision.

The application period is a maximum of 4 weeks, and the total application area should not exceed 10 cm².

Ointments Containing Green Tea Extract

The 15% ointment form, whose active ingredient is obtained from green tea, is applied 3 times a day. The maximum duration of use is 16 weeks.

The success rate is between 54–65%. The most common side effects are:

• Redness
• Itching
• Burning sensation
• Oedema
• Ulcer and vesicle formation

The Limitations of Chemical Methods

Drug treatments may require a long treatment period. While a response is sometimes obtained within a few weeks, a late response or non-response can be seen in some patients.

In the light of the above data, it is seen that the success rates of medications range from low to moderate. In addition, high recurrence rates are a significant problem.

Why Are Laser and Energy-Based Methods More Effective?

Completely destroying the wart in a short time without giving it the chance to spread to the surrounding tissue both increases the success rate and reduces the risk of recurrence.

Laser, radiofrequency and electrocautery methods remove the wart tissue in a controlled way. They give a more predictable result, especially in widespread and multiple lesions.

Although all treatment methods can be applied at our clinic, laser treatment is preferred as the priority because of its high success and low recurrence rate.