52 patients with a clinical diagnosis of verruca plantaris were entered into a randomised study of acyclovir cream versus placebo cream versus liquid nitrogen. 47 completed the initial 8-week assessment period. At first, liquid nitrogen was used as a positive control but after the entry of 33 patients it was discontinued as an initial therapy in order to obtain maximal numbers of patients on the cream treatments. At the end of the 8-week assessment period 5 of 18 (placebo cream), 7 of 18 (acyclovir cream) and 1 of 11 (liquid nitrogen) patients were completely cleared of their plantar warts. Patients who failed to clear on cream or liquid nitrogen treatments after the initial assessment period but who wished to continue therapy were subsequently treated with liquid nitrogen. Of a total of 27 patients treated vigorously with liquid nitrogen, for periods of time ranging from 2 to 34 weeks, only 11 were completely cleared of their warts at the end of the study. It is concluded that liquid nitrogen should not be considered as a routine treatment for plantar warts and that acyclovir cream is no better than placebo in the treatment of this condition.

Keywords:
Acyclovir cream, Liquid nitrogen, Plantar warts
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1984 S. Karger AG, Basel
1984
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.