Effective Wart Treatment Solutions
Cantharidin + Podophyllin + Salicylic Acid Compounding for Podiatry Clinics
Our Commitment to Podiatry Care
Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy supports licensed California podiatrists with a compounded three-ingredient wart formulation containing: Cantharidin + Podophyllin + Salicylic Acid
This combination is commonly referred to in the medical literature as a CPS formulation
and has been studied for plantar warts, including recalcitrant plantar warts. 10 mL Clinic Bottle — $145
For provider-directed professional use. Serving licensed California providers.
What Is CPS Wart Treatment?
CPS refers to a topical combination of cantharidin, podophyllin and salicylic acid used by healthcare professionals as an office-based treatment approach for certain warts.
The American Academy of Dermatology notes that cantharidin is used for common and plantar warts and that, for plantar warts, clinicians may use a combination containing cantharidin, a podophyllum-derived ingredient and salicylic acid. The exact formulation, concentration, application technique and follow-up plan should always be determined by the treating provider.
Why Combine Cantharidin, Podophyllin and Salicylic Acid?
Each ingredient contributes a different action to the formulation.
Cantharidin
Cantharidin is a vesicant. When professionally applied, it causes blister formation around or beneath treated wart tissue. The American Academy of Dermatology describes cantharidin as a clinician-applied treatment used for both common and plantar warts.
Podophyllin
Podophyllin has antimitotic activity, meaning it interferes with cell division. This gives it a different mechanism of action from the other ingredients in the formulation.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid is keratolytic. It helps break down and soften thickened keratinized tissue associated with plantar warts.
Patient Wart Treatment Process
Why Plantar Warts Can Be Difficult to Treat
Plantar warts occur on the soles of the feet and may appear as rough, thickened growths. Because they develop on weight-bearing areas, they can become uncomfortable and may be more difficult to manage than warts in other locations.
Some patients present after trying:
- Over-the-counter salicylic acid
- At-home freezing products
- Cryotherapy
- Previous office treatments
- Other topical therapies
Persistent plantar warts may require a different treatment strategy based on the provider’s clinical judgment.
Clinic Support Services
Pharmacist-to-Provider Communication
We facilitate direct communication between pharmacists and providers to ensure seamless treatment coordination and patient care.
Professional Labeling and Education
Our services include clear labeling and educational support to help clinics maintain high standards of professional care.
Patient Coordination Assistance
We offer local coordination for patients, providing them with guidance on what to expect from their treatment process.
Neighborhood Partnership
As a reliable partner, we serve the Inland Empire and SGV edge cities, supporting podiatry and specialty clinics with dedicated pharmacy services.
Workflow Enhancement
Our support services are designed to enhance clinic workflows, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care.
Clear Communication
We prioritize clear communication with patients to ensure they understand their treatment plan and follow-up care, keeping your clinic as the clinical leader.
What Does Research Say About CPS for Plantar Warts?
A 2024 retrospective observational study evaluated a formulation containing cantharidin 1%, podophyllin 5% and salicylic acid 30% in 48 patients with recalcitrant plantar warts.
The study defined recalcitrant plantar warts as warts lasting more than two years or persisting after at least two previous treatment attempts. The reported cure rate was 62.5%. Among the patients whose warts cleared, 86.7% required one or two applications. The researchers also emphasized that additional studies are needed to better establish safety and effectiveness. PubMed
Important: Published study results should not be interpreted as a guarantee of outcome for an individual patient.
Who May Be Considered for Provider-Directed Wart Treatment?
Treatment selection is made by the healthcare provider after evaluating the patient and lesion.
Professional evaluation may be particularly important for patients with:
- Persistent plantar warts
- Painful lesions
- Multiple or mosaic plantar warts
- Warts that have not responded to previous therapy
- Uncertain diagnosis
- Diabetes, neuropathy or circulation concerns
- Immunocompromising conditions
What Should Patients Expect After Professional Application?
Cantharidin can cause blister formation around or beneath treated wart tissue. Tenderness, redness, blistering and temporary changes in skin color may occur after treatment.
Patients should follow the exact aftercare instructions provided by their healthcare professional, including instructions about when the treated medication should be washed off.
The timing and degree of blistering can vary depending on the formulation, treatment area and individual patient.
Do not replace provider instructions with general internet instructions.
Provider Support From Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy
10 mL Clinic Bottle — $145
For licensed California providers.
Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy works directly with California podiatry clinics and can assist with:
- Compounded CPS formulation availability
- Provider ordering
- Professional labeling
- Pharmacist-to-provider communication
- Patient-specific prescription coordination
- Storage and handling information
- Clinic workflow questions
- Refill and reorder coordination
Can a Podiatry Office Bill Insurance for Wart Treatment?
Coverage depends on the payer, diagnosis, procedure performed and medical-necessity documentation.
A podiatry clinic may potentially bill for the clinical services associated with wart evaluation and treatment when medically appropriate. Depending on the actual service performed, billing may involve:
- Evaluation and management services
- Wart destruction procedures
- Debridement when clinically appropriate and separately billable
- Follow-up services reimbursement is determined by the payer.
The compounded medication itself should not be presented as automatically reimbursable.
Each office should verify:
- Applicable CPT coding
- ICD-10 diagnosis requirements
- Payer-specific coverage
- Documentation requirements
- Whether the medication cost is bundled into the procedure or handled separately
Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy can provide product and pharmacy information to support the clinic’s internal billing review, but reimbursement is determined by the payer.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPS Wart Treatment
What does CPS stand for in wart treatment?
CPS generally refers to a combination of cantharidin, podophyllin and salicylic acid used as a provider-applied wart treatment.
Is CPS used for plantar warts?
Yes. CPS formulations have been described and studied for plantar warts, including persistent or recalcitrant plantar warts. PubMed
What does cantharidin do to a wart?
Cantharidin causes a blister to form around or underneath treated wart tissue. American Academy of Dermatology
What does podophyllin do?
Podophyllin has antimitotic activity and interferes with cell division in treated tissue.
What does salicylic acid do?
Salicylic acid is keratolytic and helps soften and remove thickened keratinized tissue.
Why use all three ingredients together?
The combination uses three different mechanisms: vesicant, antimitotic and keratolytic activity.
Is CPS the same as over-the-counter wart remover?
No. OTC wart treatments commonly contain salicylic acid alone. CPS combines multiple ingredients and is intended for provider-directed professional treatment.
Can a patient apply this compound at home?
No. Doctor’s Choice Pharmacys CPS formulation is intended for professional/provider-directed use.
Does cantharidin hurt?
Application itself may cause little immediate discomfort for some patients, but blistering and tenderness can occur later. American Academy of Dermatology
Does cantharidin always create a blister?
Blistering is an expected pharmacologic effect, but the degree and timing vary between patients and treatment protocols.
How long does it take for a blister to develop?
Timing varies. Patients should follow their provider’s specific instructions rather than relying on a fixed online timeline.
How long should the medication remain on the wart?
There is no single wash-off time appropriate for every compounded formulation. The treating provider and pharmacy directions should be followed exactly.
How many CPS treatments are usually needed?
Treatment frequency varies. Some patients may respond after one or two applications while others require additional treatment. In a 2024 study of recalcitrant plantar warts, most patients who cleared required one or two applications, but this should not be interpreted as a guarantee.
What are recalcitrant plantar warts?
One recent study defined them as plantar warts present for more than two years or persisting after at least two previous treatments.
Can CPS be considered after cryotherapy has failed?
CPS has been studied in recalcitrant plantar warts, including patients who had received previous treatments. Treatment selection remains the provider’s decision.
Is CPS better than freezing?
They are different treatment approaches. Cryotherapy destroys wart tissue through freezing, while CPS works through the pharmacologic actions of its ingredients. The appropriate treatment depends on the patient, lesion and clinician’s judgment.
Can patients with diabetes receive CPS?
Patients with diabetes require careful clinical assessment. Medication guidance for cantharidin/podophyllin/salicylic acid specifically identifies diabetes and blood-flow problems as conditions that should be discussed with the treating clinician.
Can CPS be used if a patient has poor circulation?
Poor circulation should be discussed with the treating healthcare provider before treatment.
Can it be applied to bleeding or irritated lesions?
Medication guidance cautions against use on irritated skin and certain bleeding lesions. Providers should evaluate the lesion before treatment.
Does CPS permanently prevent warts from returning?
No treatment can guarantee that a wart will never recur. Warts are associated with HPV, and recurrence may occur.
Is this a prescription compound?
This is a professionally compounded medication supplied pursuant to applicable pharmacy and provider requirements.
Can podiatrists order it from Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy?
Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy supports licensed California providers. Contact the pharmacy to confirm ordering requirements and current availability.
How much does the CPS compound cost?
Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy: 10 mL clinic bottle — $145.
** Price may change depends on the quantities ordered and availability of each product
Does Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy serve providers outside California?
Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy currently serves patients and providers within California.
Need CPS support for your podiatry practice?
Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy supports licensed California podiatrists with compounded Cantharidin + Podophyllin + Salicylic Acid formulations, provider ordering, pharmacy coordination, and professional-use information.
Call 909-532-5588 or submit a Provider Inquiry.
Phone
(909) 532-5588
Location
639 N 13th Ave , Upland. Ca 91786
info@doctorschoicerx.com
Store Hours
M-F:9am - 5pm
S-S: Closed
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Jurisdictions We Serve
Doctor’s Choice Pharmacy is a licensed pharmacy operating in the state of California. We are registered with the California Board of Pharmacy and comply with all applicable state and federal regulations regarding the dispensing of medications.
At this time, we only servepatients located within California. All prescriptions dispensed by our pharmacy are issued by healthcare providers who are duly licensed in California, and we do not ship medications outside this jurisdiction unless explicitly permitted by law.🔎 Verify Our Pharmacy License: You can check our license details through the California Board of Pharmacy License Lookup by visiting:🔗 California Pharmacy License VerificationIf you have any questions about our licensure or services, please feel free to contact us: 909 532 5588 info@doctorschoicerx.com
