Veregen (Sinecatechins) Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages - Verywell Health
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What Is Veregen?
Veregen (sinecatechins) is a prescription topical ointment used to treat Condylomata acuminata (external warts on the outside of the genitals and anus) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Veregen is prescribed for immunocompetent (a healthily functioning immune system) individuals 18 and older.
Veregen contains the active ingredient, sinecatechins. Sinecatechins are natural substances found in specific green tea leaves.
Moreover, Veregen is classified as a keratolytic.
Keratolytics are compounds that can break down the outer layers of the skin and can decrease the thickness of psoriatic plaque (scaly, red patches on the skin). Additionally, keratolytic medications are used to treat calluses and acne.
Although the exact way Veregen works is not fully understood, sinecatechins contain antioxidant (substances that may prevent different types of cell damage) activity, which is thought to play a role in treating genital warts.
Veregen is a brand-name medication available as a topical ointment.
Drug Facts
Generic Name: Sinecatechins
Brand Name(s): Veregen
Drug Availability: Prescription
Administration Route: Topical
Therapeutic Classification: Keratolytic
Available Generically: No
Controlled Substance: N/A
Active Ingredient: Sinecatechins
Dosage Form(s): Ointment
What Is Veregen Used For?
Veregen is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical ointment used to treat Condylomata acuminata (genital warts) caused by HPV. Veregen is intended for immunocompetent people 18 and older.
Condylomata acuminata is a papilloma, a benign (noncancerous) tumor that appears on the skin's surface as a wart-like growth.
Condylomata acuminata is the result of HPV.
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI)—the most common STI in the United States (U.S.). It is spread by sexual intercourse with someone who already has the disease. HPV results in genital warts, which can turn cancerous if not treated promptly.
How to Use Veregen
You should apply Veregen three times daily to warts in the affected area. You should follow this treatment regimen until your warts clear or your healthcare provider tells you to stop.
In addition, treatment longer than 16 weeks is not recommended. Contact your healthcare provider if your warts are still present after 16 weeks.
Veregen should be applied in the morning, around noon, and evening. Wash your hands before and after applying the ointment.
Do not apply Veregen internally or to any open wounds.
This medication may stain light-colored clothing. Do not expose the treated area to sunlight or tanning beds.
Storage
Veregen can be stored under refrigeration or at room temperature below 77 degrees F.
Do not allow Veregen to be exposed to extreme temperatures, and do not freeze this ointment. Additionally, do not store in a bathroom.
Make sure you keep the lid tightly closed when not in use, and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
How Long Does Veregen Take to Work?
Veregen has been shown in clinical trials to take an average of 10–16 weeks for complete clearance of warts.
What Are the Side Effects of Veregen?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects you may experience while using Veregen include the following:
Severe Side Effects
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you're having a medical emergency.
Potential severe side effects include:
Long-term Side Effects
There are no known long-term side effects associated with using Veregen, but your warts may return after treatment.
It is important to report any new warts to your healthcare provider should this occur.
Dosage: How Much Veregen Should I Use?
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For topical dosage form (ointment):
- For warts on the genital or rectal areas:
- Adults—Apply a thin layer (about an 0.5 cm strand) to the affected area three times a day. Rub it in gently.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For warts on the genital or rectal areas:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Veregen, apply the ointment as you normally would as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular treatment regimen.
Missing doses of Veregen may lengthen the time it takes for your warts to clear, so it is important not to miss doses.
Modifications
Veregen is only approved for people 18 and older with healthy immune systems.
The use of this medication has not been studied in children. Typical dosing is a half-centimeter strip applied to each wart three times daily for up to 16 weeks or until warts clear.
The effects of this medication on pregnant or breastfeeding people have not been thoroughly studied yet, and it is unclear if this medication will affect the fetus or baby.
Using this medication while pregnant or breastfeeding is not recommended unless the benefits clearly outweigh the risks to the child. Your healthcare provider can help you decide what is best for you and your baby.
Overdose: What Happens If I Use Too Much Veregen?
There have not been any reports of overdoses on Veregen, but using excessive ointment could potentially increase the skin area experiencing side effects like redness, itching, or irritation.
What Happens If I Overdose on Veregen?
If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on Veregen, call a healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).
If someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking Veregen, call 911 immediately.
Precautions
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Do not expose the area being treated with this medicine to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds .
Avoid having genital, oral, or anal sex while the medicine is on your skin. Make sure you wash the ointment off your skin before you engage in any sexual activity. Also, the medicine contains oils that can weaken latex (rubber) condoms, or diaphragms causing them not to work properly .
Sinecatechins will not keep you from spreading genital warts to other people. Talk with your doctor about safe sex practices .
This medicine is not a cure for genital or anal warts. You may still develop new warts during or after your treatment .
This medicine may stain your clothes and bedding .
Do not use cosmetics or any other skin care products on the same skin area on which you use this medicine, unless directed otherwise by your doctor .
If your condition does not improve within 16 weeks, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor .
Many patients experience redness, swelling, sores or blisters, burning, or itching after using this medicine. If you experience a severe skin reaction, remove the ointment by washing the area with mild soap and water and contact your doctor right away .
What Are Reasons I Shouldn't Take Veregen?
You should not use Veregen if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the ointment, as this could cause a severe reaction.
You should not use Veregen when pregnant or breastfeeding unless discussing the benefits and risks of treatment with your healthcare provider first.
If you have a weakened immune system, you should not use Veregen.
What Other Medications Interact With Veregen?
There are no known interactions between Veregen and any other drugs.
If you have been directed to apply multiple topical medications to your warts, speak with your healthcare provider about whether it is necessary to space out the medications from each other.
What Medications Are Similar?
Other topical medications treat genital and anal warts, though they work differently than Veregen.
These include:
- Condylox (podofilox): This treatment is applied for three days, then off for four days. This is called a treatment week. It may take weeks or months for Condylox to have an effect.
- Tri-Chlor (trichloroacetic acid): This product may take six to 10 weeks to reach its full effect and should be applied by a healthcare provider.
- Aldara (imiquimod): This cream is applied once daily at bedtime for up to eight weeks and can also treat other unrelated skin conditions. This cream can weaken contraceptives such as condoms and diaphragms.
This list includes drugs also prescribed for the targeted condition(s). It is not a list of drugs recommended to take with Veregen.
In fact, you should not take these drugs together. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Veregen?
It is important to use Veregen precisely as your healthcare provider directs to gain the best possible results.
If you are a smoker with HPV, you are more likely to develop external genital warts, so quitting smoking is a good way to protect your health. It is also important to limit the spread of HPV to sexual partners.
Do not have sex, even protected sex, when Veregen ointment is present on your skin. This ointment can weaken condoms and diaphragms.
Encourage your partner to discuss the HPV vaccine with their healthcare provider to prevent them from becoming infected.
Do not have sex if you have visible external genital warts in areas that condoms cannot cover, as this can significantly increase the risk of infection being spread to your partner.
Medical Disclaimer
Verywell Health's drug information is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medication(s). IBM Watson Micromedex provides some of the drug content, as indicated on the page.
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