Topical 5-fluorouracil versus Topical Tretinoin 0.05% in Treatment of Plane Wart; a Randomized Controlled Comparative Therapeutic Trial

There are many types of HPV ranged from 100-150 with distinct regional predeliction and specific histopathology. Although any age group can be affected but plane warts occur mostly in children and young adults. Treatment of verrucae in children is difficult, may be painful using traditional methods, especially if they are multiple or on the face. The objective of the current study was to compare the safety and efficacy of topical 5-fluorouracil 5% ointment with topical tretinoin0.05% in treatment of plane wart. Sixty patients; 33 males (55%) and 27 females (45%) were enrolled in this randomized controlled comparative therapeutic trial. They were divided into two groups: Group A: Patients treated with topical 5Fluorouracil (Efudix 5%) skin ointment and group B: Patients were treated with topical tretinoin cream (RetinA 0.05%). Both treatments were applied once daily at night for 4 weeks duration to be evaluated for the response (grading response) at the end of 4th and 8 week. After 4 weeks of treatment, 13 patients (43%) showed an excellent response while 7 patients (23%) showed a significant response in group A. The corresponding values in group B were 10 patients (33%) and 6 patients (20%). At the end of 8 weeks, the number of patients with excellent responses raise to 23 (76%) in group A and to 21 (70%) in group B. Both of treatments (ointment and cream) were safe and effective therapy for plane warts.