Sinecatechins 15% ointment is a topical agent for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts (i.e. condylomata acuminata). Sinecatechins ointment is a botanical drug product made from green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis (L.) O Kuntze) extract. Green tea catechins constitute 85-95% of the drug substance, with more than 55% being epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Like podofilox and imiquimod, sinecatechins ointment can be self-administered by the patient, whereas other treatments for condyloma acuminata (e.g., intralesional interferon alfa, podophyllum resin, trichloroacetic acid) must be administered by a health care provider. Sinecatechins ointment, like other currently available therapies for genital and perianal warts, does not eradicate human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, the virus typically responsible for causing condylomata acuminata. New warts may occur during or after treatment, and the incidence of recurrence after complete clearance is unknown. A green tea ointment, polyphenon E, has been studied for the treatment of HPV-infected cervical lesions (see green tea monograph); however, it is unclear if polyphenon E ointment and sinecatechins ointment are the same formulation. Per the manufacturer, sinecatechins ointment has not been studied for the treatment of HPV-infected cervical lesions, and until further information is available, the manufacturer warns that it should not be used for these conditions. On October 31, 2006, the FDA approved sinecatechins 15% ointment (Veregen(TM)) for the topical treatment of external genital and perianal warts.
General Administration Information
For storage information, see the specific product information within the How Supplied section.
Route-Specific Administration
Topical Administration
-For topical use to external areas only; avoid ocular, intra-vaginal, urethral and intra-anal exposure; avoid application onto open wounds.
-Wash hands before and after applying ointment.
-Using a fingertip, apply approximately a 0.5 cm strand of ointment to each wart. Ensure that each wart is completely covered leaving a thin layer of ointment on top.
-It is not necessary to wash ointment off of a treated area prior to the next application. When the treatment area is washed, the ointment should be applied afterwards.
-For females using tampons, insert tampon before applying ointment.
-For uncircumcised males treating warts under the foreskin, pull back the foreskin and clean the area daily.
-Do not use occlusive dressings.
-Avoid sexual contact while ointment is on skin.
The most common adverse events associated with use of sinecatechins 15% ointment are local skin reactions and application site reactions. In phase 3 clinical trials (n=397), 67% of patients experienced a moderate or severe reaction that was probably related to treatment, with 5% of patients discontinuing or interrupting therapy due to local adverse effects. Severe reactions occurred more frequently in women than men (37% vs 24%). On average, skin reactions reached their maximum severity by week 2 of treatment. The most frequent reactions reported include erythema (70%), pruritus (69%), significant skin irritation including burning (67%) and pain/discomfort (56%), development of skin ulcer and/or skin erosion (49%), edema (45%), induration (35%), and vesicular rash (20%). Desquamation (5%), regional lymphadenopathy (3%), discharge (3%), bleeding (2%), rash (unspecified) (1%), and scar formation (1%) were also reported. Phimosis occurred in 3% of uncircumcised male subjects (5/174). Rare adverse events (< 1%) reported were urethritis, skin necrosis, cervical dysplasia, pelvic pain, eczema, skin discoloration or pigmentation changes, dryness, hyperesthesia, papules, cutaneous facial rash, stenosis and erosions of the urethral meatus, dysuria, vulvitis, pyodermitis, hypersensitivity, genital herpes simplex and superinfection of warts and ulcers, perianal infection and systemic infection (staphylococcemia).
A type IV (delayed type) hypersensitivity reaction was observed in a dermal sensitization study of sinecatechins ointment under occlusive conditions in 5 out of 209 (2.4%) healthy volunteers. Advise to report symptoms consistent with contact dermatitis.
Sinecatechins ointment is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the product, any of its components, or green tea.
Sinecatechins ointment has not been evaluated for treatment beyond 16 weeks or for multiple treatment courses.
Patients should be advised that sinecatechins ointment may stain clothing or bedding.
Mild to moderate local skin reactions to the drug are common, and treatment should be continued as long as the reaction is tolerable. Should a severe local skin reaction occur, the entire treatment area should be washed with mild soap and water and future doses held. Sinecatechins 15% ointment is for topical external use as directed only; avoid accidental exposure to other areas, including ocular exposure, vaginal administration or rectal administration. Avoid application to open wounds.
The safety and efficacy of sinecatechins ointment use in patients with immunosuppression have not been established.
During treatment, sunlight (UV) exposure to the genital and perianal area should be avoided, as sinecatechins ointment has not been evaluated under this condition.
Sinecatechins ointment may weaken barrier contraceptive devices such as condoms and vaginal diaphragms. Therefore, reliance on these devices for birth control is not recommended during the treatment of genital/perianal warts. Sexual contact should be avoided while the ointment is on the skin; should sexual contact occur, the sinecatechins ointment should be removed by washing prior to contact. In addition, the effects of sinecatechins ointment on the transmission of genital/perianal warts are not known.
An occlusive dressing should not be applied to the treatment area during sinecatechins therapy.
It is not known if geriatric patients respond differently than younger patients to sinecatechins ointment. During clinical trials, only 7 (1.4%) patients were over the age of 65 years.
Data are limited regarding use of sinecatechins ointment during human pregnancy. Animal studies have been conducted in rats and rabbits, but have reported conflicting results. Oral doses of up to 86-times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) in rats and 173-times the MRHD in rabbits given during organogenesis did not cause adverse effects on embryo-fetal development or teratogenicity. Subcutaneous doses of 0.7-times MRHD administered to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis also did not cause adverse effects on embryo-fetal development or teratogenicity. Daily vaginal administration of 8-times the MRHD to rats from day 4 before mating through organogenesis (day 17 of gestation) resulted in no treatment-related effects on the fetus or teratogenicity. However, in another study using vaginal administration, those rats that received 8-times the MRHD had more birthing complications and stillbirths. No other effects on pre- or postnatal development and growth were noted. Lastly, in rabbits given subcutaneous doses during the period of organogenesis, in the presence of maternal toxicity (local irritation at administration sites, decreased body weight and decreased food consumption), reduced fetal weights and delayed skeletal ossification were found. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women; however, the ointment is a water extract of green tea leaves which, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, is thought to be safe in pregnancy following moderate consumption. The risk to the fetus appears to be low at the recommended dose.
Safe and effective use of sinecatechins 15% ointment have not been established in neonates, infants, children and adolescents < 18 years of age.
Data are limited regarding use of sinecatechins ointment during breast-feeding, and excretion of the major ointment components, such as catechins, in human milk is unknown. However, the ointment is a water extract of green tea leaves which, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, is thought to be safe when systemically consumed in moderate amounts during breast-feeding; systemic exposure following topical administration is expected to be less than drinking 400 ml of green tea. Thus, the risk to a nursing infant appears to be low at the recommended dose. Consider the benefits of breast-feeding, the risk of potential infant drug exposure, and the risk of an untreated or inadequately treated condition. If a breast-feeding infant experiences an adverse effect related to a maternally administered drug, health care providers are encouraged to report the adverse effect to the FDA.
Although green tea extract formulations have been investigated for the treatment of human papilloma virus (HPV) viral infection, specifically infected cervical lesions , the manufacturer of sinecatechins 15% ointment (Veregen) states that this product has not been evaluated for the treatment of internal urethral, intra-vaginal, cervical, or rectal HPV. Such use is not recommended.
For the treatment of external genital and perianal warts (condylomata acuminata) due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection:
NOTE: Sinecatechins has not been evaluated for the treatment of urethral, intra-vaginal, cervical, rectal, or intra-anal human papilloma viral disease and is not recommended for these conditions.
NOTE: Sinecatechins has not been evaluated for treatment beyond 16 weeks, for multiple treatment courses, or for use in immunocompromised patients.
Topical dosage:
Adults: Apply a thin layer (about an 0.5 cm strand) topically to the wart(s) 3 times daily until complete clearance of all warts or for a maximum of 16 weeks.
Children* and Adolescents*: Apply a thin layer (about an 0.5 cm strand) topically to the wart(s) 3 times daily until complete clearance of all warts or for a maximum of 16 weeks.
Maximum Dosage Limits:
-Adults
3 applications/day topically.
-Geriatric
3 applications/day topically.
-Adolescents
Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, up to 3 applications/day topically is recommended off-label.
-Children
Safety and efficacy have not been established; however, up to 3 applications/day topically is recommended off-label in older children weighing 45 kg or more.
Patients with Hepatic Impairment Dosing
Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in hepatic impairment are not available; it appears that no dosage adjustments are needed.
Patients with Renal Impairment Dosing
Specific guidelines for dosage adjustments in renal impairment are not available; it appears that no dosage adjustments are needed.
*non-FDA-approved indication
There are no drug interactions associated with Sinecatechins products.
The exact mechanism of action of sinecatechins ointment is unknown; although the manufacturer states that the ointment has demonstrated in vitro antioxidative activity. Systemically administered green tea extracts have demonstrated antioxidant, antiplatelet, antihyperlipidemic, antihypertensive, fibrinolytic, anticarcinogenic, anticariogenic, antimicrobial, and thermogenic actions (see green tea monograph). Of particular importance, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a major component of both green tea and sinecatechins ointment, has been shown to suppress the growth of human papilloma virus (HPV)-infected cervical cancer cell lines ; HPV is the same virus that is usually responsible for genital and perianal warts.
Sinecatechins are administered topically.
-Route-Specific Pharmacokinetics
Topical Route
Percutaneous absorption of the sinecatechins is minimal. One study compared systemic exposures of four catechin components [epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECg), and epicatechin (EC)] following topical application of the 15% sinecatechins ointment (250 mg applied three times daily for 7 days) against oral ingestion of a green tea beverage (500 ml PO three times daily for 7 days). In this study, the topically applied ointment failed to produce quantifiable plasma concentrations (>= 5 ng/ml) for any of the four catechins on day 1; however on day 7, measurable plasma concentrations of EGCg were detected in 2 of 20 subjects. In these 2 subjects, the EGCg mean Cmax was 10.1 ng/ml and the mean AUC was 52.2 ng x hr/ml. Following oral ingestion of the green tea beverage, plasma concentration of EGCg were measurable in all subjects on both day 1 and day 7, with a mean Cmax of 23 ng/ml and mean AUC of 104.6 ng x hr/ml on day 7.