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). Condylox Gel 0.5% is formulated for topical administration. Each gram of gel contains 5 mg of podofilox in a buffered alcoholic gel containing alcohol, glycerin, lactic acid, hydroxypropyl cellulose, sodium lactate, and butylated hydroxytoluene.

Podofilox has a molecular weight of 414.4 daltons, and is soluble in alcohol and sparingly soluble in water. Its chemical name is [5R,-(5α, 5aβ, 8aα, 9α]-5,8,8a,9-tetrahydro-9-hydroxy-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) furo[3',4':6,7]naphtho-[2,3,-d]-1,3-dioxol-6(5aH)-one.

Podofilox has the following structural formula:

Last updated on RxList: 11/24/2008

Condylox Gel 0.5% is indicated for the topical treatment of anogenital warts (external genital warts and perianal warts). This product is not indicated in the treatment of mucous membrane warts (see PRECAUTIONS).

Diagnosis

Although anogenital warts have a characteristic appearance, histopathologic confirmation should be obtained if there is any doubt of the diagnosis. Differentiating warts from squamous cell carcinoma and "Bowenoid papulosis" is of particular concern. Squamous cell carcinoma may also be associated with human papillomavirus which should not be treated with Condylox Gel 0.5%.

The prescriber should ensure that the patient is fully aware of the correct method of therapy and identify which specific warts should be treated.

Apply twice daily for 3 consecutive days, then discontinue for 4 consecutive days. This one week cycle of treatment may be repeated until there is no visible wart tissue or for a maximum of four cycles. If there is incomplete response after four treatment cycles, discontinue treatment and consider alternative treatment. Safety and effectiveness of more than four treatment cycles has not been established. There is no evidence to suggest that more frequent application will increase efficacy, but additional applications would be expected to increase the rate of local adverse reactions and systemic absorption.

Condylox Gel 0.5% should be applied to the warts with the applicator tip or finger. Application on the surrounding normal tissue should be minimized. Treatment should be limited to 10 cm² or less of wart tissue and to no more than 0.5 g of the gel per day.

Care should be taken to allow the gel to dry before allowing the return of opposing skin surfaces to their normal positions. Patients should be instructed to wash their hands thoroughly before and after each application.

Condylox Gel 0.5% is supplied as 3.5 g of clear gel in aluminum tubes with an applicator tip. NDC 52544-045-13. Store at controlled room temperature between 15 - 30°C (59 - 86° F). Avoid excessive heat. Do not freeze.

Keep out of reach of children.

Mfd. for: Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Corona, CA 92880 USA by DPT Laboratories, Ltd. San Antonio, TX 78215. Revised: November 2007. FDA rev date: 3/13/1997

Last updated on RxList: 11/24/2008

In clinical trials with Condylox Gel 0.5%, the following local adverse reactions were reported during the treatment of anogenital warts. The severity of local adverse reactions were predominantly mild or moderate and did not increase during the treatment period. Severe reactions were most frequent within the first 2 weeks of treatment.

Other local adverse reactions reported included stinging (7%), and erythema (5%); less commonly reported local adverse events included desquamation, scabbing, discoloration, tenderness, dryness, crusting, fissures, soreness, ulceration, swelling/edema, tingling, rash, and blisters.

The most common systemic adverse event reported during the clinical studies was headache (7%).

No information provided.

Last updated on RxList: 11/24/2008

Correct diagnosis of the lesions to be treated is essential. See the Diagnosis subsection of the INDICATIONS AND USAGE section. Condylox Gel 0.5% is intended for cutaneous use only. Avoid contact with the eyes. If contact with the eyes occurs, patients should immediately flush the eyes with copious quantities of water and seek medical advice.

Drug Product is Flammable.

Keep Away From Open Flame.

General

Data are not available on the safe and effective use of this product for treatment of warts occurring on mucous membranes of the genital area (including the urethra, rectum and vagina). The recommended method of application, frequency of application, and duration of usage should not be exceeded (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility

An 80-week carcinogenicity study in the mouse was performed using a 0.5% podofilox solution applied dermally at 0.04, 0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg/day. There were no differences between the podofilox treated mice at any dose level and vehicle control in the incidence of neoplasia. Published animal studies, in general, have not shown the drug substance, podofilox, to be carcinogenic.^2,3,4,5,6 There are published reports that, in mouse studies, crude podophyllin resin (containing podofilox) applied topically to the cervix produced changes resembling carcinoma in situ⁷ These changes were reversible at five weeks after cessation of treatment. In one reported experiment, epidermal carcinoma of the vagina and cervix was found in 1 out of 18 mice after 120 applications of podophyllin⁸ (the drug was applied twice weekly over a 15-month period).

Podofilox was not mutagenic in the Ames plate reverse mutation assay at concentrations up to 5 mg/plate, with and without metabolic activation. No cell transformation related to potential oncogenicity was observed in BALB/3T3 cells after exposure to podofilox at concentrations up to 0.008 µg/mL, without metabolic activation and 12 ug/mL podofilox with metabolic activation. Results from the mouse micronucleus in vivo assay using podofilox 0.5% solution at doses up to 25 mg/kg (75 mg/m²), indicate that podofilox should be considered a potential clastogen (a chemical that induces disruption and breakage of chromosomes).

Daily topical application of 0.5% podofilox solution at doses up to the equivalent of 0.2 mg/kg (1.18 mg/m², approximately equivalent to the human daily dose) to rats throughout gametogenesis, mating, gestation, parturition and lactation for two generations demonstrated no impairment of fertility.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C: 0.5% podofilox solution was not teratogenic in the rabbit following topical application of up to 0.21 mg/kg (2.85 mg/m², approximately 2 times the maximum human dose) once daily for 13 days. The scientific literature contains references that

podofilox is embryotoxic in rats when administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg/kg (29.5 mg/m², approximately 19 times the recommended maximum human dose.)⁹ Teratogenicity and embryotoxicity have not been studied with intravaginal application. Many antimitotic drug products are known to be embryotoxic. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Condylox Gel 0.5% should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from podofilox, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

REFERENCES

2. Berenblum I. The effect of podophyllotoxin on the skin of the mouse, with reference to carcinogenic, cocarcinogenic, and anticarcinogenic action. J Cancer Inst 11:839-841, 1951.

3. Kaminetzky HA, Swerdlow M. Podophyllin and the mouse cervix: assessment of carcinogenic potential. Am J Obst Gyn 95:486-490, 1965.

4. McGrew EA, Kaminetzky HA. The genesis of experimental cervical epithelial dysplasia. Am J Clin Path 35:538-545, 1961.

5. Roe FJC, Salaman MH. Further studies on incomplete carcinogenesis: triethylene melamine (T.E.M.) 1,2 benxanthracene and beta-propiolactone as initiators of skin tumor formation in the mouse. Brit J Cancer, 9:177-203, 1955.

6. Taper HS. Induction of the deficient acid DNAase activity in mouse interfollicular epidermis by croton oil as a possible tumor promoting mechanism. Zeitschrift fur Krebsforschung and Klinisch Onkologie (Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology, Berlin) 90:197-210, 1977.

7. Kaminetzky HA, McGrew EA, Phillips RL. Experimental cervical epithelial dysplasia. J Obst Gyn 14:1-10, 1959.

8. Kaminetzky HA, McGrew EA: Podophyllin and mouse cervix: Effect of long term application. Arch Path 73:481-485, 1962.

9. Thiersch JB. Effect of podophyllin (P) and podophylotoxine (PT.) on the rat litter in utero. Soc Exptl Biol Med Proc. 113:124-127, 1963.

Last updated on RxList: 11/24/2008

Topically applied podofilox may be absorbed systemically (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY section). Toxicity reported following systemic administration of podofilox in investigational use for cancer treatment included: nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, bone marrow depression, and oral ulcers. Following 5 to 10 daily intravenous doses of 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day, significant hematological toxicity occurred but was reversible.¹⁰ Other toxicities occurred at lower doses. Toxicity reported following systemic administration of podophyllum resin included: nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, peripheral neuropathy, altered mental status, lethargy, coma, tachypnea, respiratory failure, leukocytosis, pancytosis, hematuria, renal failure and seizures.¹¹ Treatment of topical overdosage should include washing the skin free of any remaining drug and symptomatic and supportive therapy.

Condylox Gel 0.5% is contraindicated for patients who develop hypersensitivity or intolerance to any components of the formulation.

REFERENCES

10. Savel H.: Clinical experience with intravenous podophyllotoxin. Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, 1964; 5: 56.

11. Cassidy DE, Dewry J and Fanning JP: Podophyllum toxicity: A report of a fatal case and a review of the literature. J Toxicol Clinic Toxicol 1982: 19: 35-44.

Last updated on RxList: 11/24/2008

Mechanism of Action

Treatment of anogenital warts with podofilox results in necrosis of visible wart tissue. The exact mechanism of action is unknown.

Pharmacokinetics

In systemic absorption studies in 52 patients, topical application of 0.05 ml_ of an ethanolic solution containing 0.5% podofilox to external genitalia did not result in detectable serum levels. Applications of 0.1 to 1.5 ml_ resulted in peak serum levels of 1 to 17 ng/mL one to two hours after application. The elimination half-life ranged from 1.0 to 4.5 hours. The drug was not found to accumulate after multiple treatments¹.

Clinical Studies

In the first multicenter clinical study in 326 patients with anogenital warts, Condylox Gel 0.5% and its vehicle were applied in a double-blind fashion to comparable patient groups. Of the 260 patients with efficacy data, 176 were treated with Condylox Gel 0.5%. Patients applied Condylox Gel 0.5% twice daily for three consecutive days followed by a 4 day "rest" period.

At the end of 4 weeks, 38.4% of the patients had complete clearing of the wart tissue when treated with Condylox Gel 0.5%.

In the second multicenter clinical trial in 108 evaluable patients with anogenital warts, Condylox (podofilox) Topical Solution 0.5% was compared with Condylox Gel 0.5% for efficacy. As in the first clinical trial, patients applied Condylox Gel 0.5% twice daily for three consecutive days followed by a four day "rest" period.

Similar clearance rates were observed. At the end of 4 weeks, 25.6% of the patients had complete clearing of the wart tissue when treated with Condylox Gel 0.5%.

REFERENCES

1. von Krogh G. Podophyllotoxin in serum: Absorption subsequent to three day repeated applications of a 0.5% ethanolic preparation on condylomata acuminata. Sex Trans Disease 1982: 9: 26-33.

Last updated on RxList: 11/24/2008

Patients using Condylox Gel 0.5% should receive the following information and instructions. This information is intended to aid in the safe and effective use of this medication. It is not intended to disclose all possible adverse or intended effects.

1.  This medication should be used only as directed by the health care provider. Patients should be instructed to wash their hands thoroughly before and after each application. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes.
2.  Patients should be advised not to use this medication for any disorder other than for which it was prescribed.
3.  Patients should report any signs of adverse reactions to the health care provider.
4.  If no improvement is observed after 4 weeks of treatment, discontinue the medication and consult the health care provider.

Last updated on RxList: 11/24/2008

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your health care professional. Always seek the advice of your health care professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your health care professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you.

PODOFILOX GEL - TOPICAL

(poh-DOFF-ih-lox)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Condylox

USES: This medication is used on the skin to treat external genital warts.

HOW TO USE: This medication is for topical use only. Apply it on the warts pointed out by your doctor. It is usually applied once in the morning and again in the evening for 3 days followed by a 4 day rest period. If the warts do not go away, then this cycle is repeated up to 4 times. Contact your doctor for other options if the warts do not go away after 4 weeks of treatment.

To apply, use the provided applicator tip or your finger. Apply a small amount of medication to the wart to cover it. Allow the gel to dry. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Be careful with this medication because it can irritate normal skin around the application site.

Do not use large amounts, apply more often or use for a longer period than directed. Your condition will not clear faster, and the chance for side effects may be increased.

Avoid contact with the eyes and mucous membranes. If contact occurs, immediately wash with plenty of water and contact your doctor.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

SIDE EFFECTS: Swelling, pain, burning, itching, peeling skin, small sores, or headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if this serious side effect occurs: bleeding.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you may call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking podofilox, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other skin problems (e.g., skin cancer).

This medication must not be used during pregnancy. Women of child-bearing age should use a reliable form of birth control while using this medication. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If accidentally swallowed, you may experience symptoms such as: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, change in mental status, weakness or fatigue, unusually slowed breathing, and seizures.

NOTES: This medication is prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another skin problem unless directed by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases.

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication is not a cure. New warts or return of old warts may occur, especially in the first 3 months after treatment. Follow-up medical visits may be periodically necessary to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Refrain from sexual intercourse on the days you apply this drug. Using condoms may help prevent the spread of genital warts to your partner.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from heat or open flame. Do not freeze. Replace the cap tightly after use. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised July 2008 Copyright(c) 2008 First DataBank, Inc.