Sinecatechins ointment is a topical medication that is used to treat warts on the outside of the anus and the genital area. The active ingredient, sinecatechins, is found in green tea extract.

It is not clear exactly how it works, but this medication is believed to prevent the warts from producing chemicals needed for the wart to grow.

Genital warts are caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) that is transmitted through sexual activity. This medication does not cure HPV infection and does not reduce the risk of passing HPV to others through sexual contact.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

A small amount of sinecatechins ointment should be applied to each wart three times daily. No more than a 0.5 cm strand of ointment should be applied at any one time. You do not need to wash off ointment from the previous application before applying a new dose.

Wash your hands before applying the ointment. It should be dabbed on with a clean finger, leaving a thin layer of ointment covering the wart. Wash your hands immediately after applying the ointment to avoid contact with your eyes, nostrils, and mouth. Do not cover the treated area with dressings or a bandage.

New warts may develop during treatment with sinecatechins and these should also be treated as well. It is important to continue using this medication until complete clearance of all the warts, up to a maximum of 16 weeks. Contact your doctor if your warts do not go away or if they come back after treatment.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This medication is not to be applied to the vagina, cervix, or inside the anus as severe skin reactions, such as ulcers, may occur. If you happen to get this ointment in your eyes or other sensitive areas, wipe the ointment off and rinse your eyes with water and other areas with soap and water.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. The medication should be used within 6 weeks of first opening the tube.

Each gram of brown, water-free ointment contains 100 mg of sinecatechins. Nonmedicinal ingredients: isopropyl myristate, white petrolatum, cera alba (white wax), propylene glycol monopalmitostearate, and oleyl alcohol.

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to sinecatechins, the extract of green tea leaves, or any ingredients of the medication.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who uses this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people using this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• blisters
• burning
• itching
• redness
• swelling

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• open sores
• pain

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Sunlight: Do not expose the genital area being treated with sinecatechins to sunlight, sunlamps or tanning beds.

Staining: The brown colour of the ointment may stain light coloured linens and clothing.

Transmitting infection: This medication does not prevent HPV from being passed to sexual partners. It is important to practice safe sex, such as using condoms, while using sinecatechins ointment. This ointment may weaken condoms and vaginal diaphragms, so it is important to wash off any ointment on the affected area before sexual activity.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if sinecatechins passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.