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Medical Author:

William Shapiro, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Your doctor may prescribe some of the following creams to be applied to the lesions:

• trichloroacetic acid,
  
  
• topical podophyllotoxin cream (such as Condylox), which is derived from plant resins,
  
  
• cantharidin (Cantharone, obtained from the blister beetle), applied by the doctor,
  
  
• imiquimod (Aldara), a topical cream that works by boosting the immune system (Although this drug is currently approved only for treatment of genital warts, it has been found to be effective against MC and can be applied at home.),
  
  
• cimetidine (Tagamet), the antiulcer and antiheartburn medication (This drug has been reported to be useful in the treatment of MC, though it has not officially been approved by the FDA for the treatment of MC.), or
  
  
• cidofovir (Vistide), used through IV for eye infections in people with AIDS (This drug has been shown to be effective when applied topically to severe MC lesions, though this has not officially been approved by the FDA for the treatment of MC).

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