Sinecatechins ointment 15% for the treatment of external genital warts

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. External genital warts (EGWs) are a commonly seen clinical manifestation of infection with certain strains of the HPV virus, particularly HPV types 6 and 11. Current treatments for the destruction and elimination of EGWs include in-office, provider-delivered therapy and patient-applied medications. Sinecatechins ointment 15% is the newest FDA-approved patient-applied treatment for EGWs. This article reviews the transmission and clinical presentation of EGWs, describes the use of sinecatechins ointment 15% as one patient-applied treatment option and discusses implications for nurses.