Efficacy comparison between cimetidine and zinc sulphate in the treatment of multiple and recalcitrant warts.

BACKGROUND

Warts are epithelial proliferations on the skin and mucous membrane caused by various types of HPV. They can decrease spontaneously or increase in number and size according to patient's immune status. Cimetidine and zinc sulphate have important effects on the immune system and are used as immunomodulators in the treatment of various diseases.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of cimetidine and zinc sulphate in the treatment of multiple and recalcitrant warts.

METHODS

A random double-blind prospective study. Eighteen patients with multiple warts were divided into two groups: one took 35 mg/Kg/day of cimetidine (maximum 1200 mg/day) and the other 10 mg/Kg/day of zinc sulphate (maximum 600 mg/day) for three months.

RESULTS

Among the 18 patients who participated in the study, nine took cimetidine and nine zinc sulphate. Just one patient in the zinc sulphate group did not complete treatment due to nausea and vomiting. Five patients who were treated with zinc sulphate were cured and only one did not show modifications in lesions. Among the group who was treated with cimetidine, five did not show modifications in lesions and four showed decrease from baseline below 30%.

CONCLUSIONS

10 mg/Kg/day zinc sulphate dose seems to be more effective than cimetidine for the treatment of children and adults with multiple and difficult-to-handle warts. However, the small number of patients did not enable any definitive conclusion.