Examples
|
| dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) |
| diphencyprone (DCP) |
| squaric acid dibutyl ester (SADBE) |
How It Works
Contact sensitizers are a form of
immunotherapy. Immunotherapy triggers your
immune system to kill the virus causing the
wart. This destroys the wart.
Two steps
are required to trigger your body's immune system with a contact
sensitizer:
- The contact sensitizer is put on a small area
of your arm or back. Your skin should become red, swollen, itchy, or blistered.
This kind of skin reaction is a sign that the contact sensitizer will work. The
next time the sensitizer is applied to your skin, your body's immune system
will react to it, and the affected area will develop an allergic (immune)
reaction.
- After a few days, the same sensitizer is applied to the
wart (diluted for common warts and concentrated for plantar warts). Repeat
treatments with increasingly concentrated sensitizer are made every week or so
until the immune reaction has cleared the wart.
Why It Is Used
Contact sensitizers are sometimes used
to treat warts that have been resistant to other treatments.
How Well It Works
One review of studies reports that
DNCB removed warts in 80% of the people using it compared to 38% in people
using a
placebo.1 Talk to your doctor
about how well his or her choice of contact sensitizers has worked in clinical
practice.
Side Effects
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
A severe
allergic reaction can occur with contact sensitizer
treatment.
Call your doctor if you have:
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects.
(Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Contact sensitizers are not widely
used because they are highly potent and expensive and require careful handling to
avoid causing unintended allergic reactions.
Contact
sensitizers are not often used
with children.
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Advice for women
Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant. If you need to use this medicine, talk to your doctor about how you can prevent pregnancy.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Loo SK, Tang WY (2009). Warts (non-genital), search
date June 2008. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Last Revised | September 7, 2012 |
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