Duofilm

What is Duofilm liquid wart remover and what is it used for?

Duofilm is a brand of medicines used to remove warts. Duofilm contains two active ingredients salicylic acid and lactic acid which when applied directly to warts and verrucas soften the skin and encourage the wart to peel off.

Warts affect the top layers of your skin and are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Warts and verrucas are very contagious and can spread quickly onto damaged skin, especially in warm, moist environments, but it can sometimes take from several weeks to months for a wart to appear.

Most people will experience at least one wart or verruca in their lifetime and often they will clear up on their own, but this may take several months and sometimes even years. Duofilm effectively speeds up the removal of warts but some people will not see improvements to their skin for up to 4-8 weeks.

For more information about warts and verrucas and the treatment options available to you please take a look at our Warts and Verrucas page.

What does Duofilm liquid do?

Duofilm liquid is applied directly to the wart or verruca using the included applicator brush.

Warts and verrucas are caused by the HPV virus, which causes the infected skin to produce a protein called keratin. It is the Keratin that is responsible for the hard, lumpy texture that is associated with warts.

Duofilm liquid contains both salicylic acid and lactic acid, which are keratolytic agents that effectively treat warts by increasing the moisture absorbed by the skin and also softening the hard keratin protein that has formed the wart. This softened skin is then able to more easily loosen and shed, peeling off the wart.

Duofilm does not kill the virus that causes warts to grow and therefore warts can come back in either the same place or elsewhere on the body. It is therefore recommended that you carry on using Duofilm once a day for up to 12 weeks, or until you can see your normal skin lines, to reduce the risk of warts reforming.

How to use Duofilm wart remover?

Duofilm liquid should be applied directly to warts and verrucas once a day for up to 12 weeks and is suitable for children and adults from the age of 2 years.

For more information on how to use Duofilm wart remover, please see the directions section on this page. Before using Duofilm liquid you must also read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly.

Sources

• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3722-866/duofilm-topical/salicylic-acid-keratolytic-topical/details
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/warts-and-verrucas/
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/salicylic-acid.html
• https://patient.info/medicine/salicylic-acid
• https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/warts-and-verrucas
• Duofilm Liquid Wart Remover Patient Information Leaflet:https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1176/pil

Duofilm warnings

Please ensure to read the entire Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly for a full list of warnings and precautions associated with the use of Duofilm.

• Do not use Duofilm to treat warts on the face, genitals or anus or birthmarks or moles.
• Children between 2-12 years must be helped by an adult to use Duofilm.
• Avoid smoking or naked flames when using Duofilm as the ingredients may be flammable.

Duofilm & pregnancy

Duofilm is not recommended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are suffering from warts and are pregnant or breastfeeding speak to a doctor or pharmacist about treatment options.

How to use Duofilm Liquid

Duofilm should be brushed onto warts and verrucas once a day, preferably after bathing. You should ensure the whole wart is covered but the healthy surrounding skin is clear, to reduce skin irritation.

It can take up to 4-8 weeks for you to notice a visible improvement to your skin but you should continue to use your Duofilm liquid for up to 12 weeks.

If your warts have not improved within 12 weeks you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist about further treatment options.

Duofilm should be applied as directed in 7 easy steps:

1. Remove any plasters covering your warts.
2. Soak warts in hot water for 5 minutes.
3. Dry the area affected by warts with your own towel*.
4. Use your own pumice stone, nail file/emery board or coarse washcloth* to carefully rub the tops of your warts.
5. Cover your warts thoroughly with Duofilm liquid using the applicator brush.
6. Leave the Duofilm to completely dry.
7. Cover your wart/s with plasters to help Duofilm get to work.

*Warts are very contagious and can spread easily to others. You should, therefore, use your own towels and products to reduce this.

For full information on how to use Duofilm, please see the Patient Information Leaflet.

Duofilm liquid is suitable for children and adults over 12 years and is used to treat warts on external skin and must be applied, using the applicator brush, directly to warts avoiding the surrounding healthy skin. If Duofilm is ingested you should speak to a doctor straight away.

Duofilm ingredients

The active substances contained within Duofilm are lactic acid 15.0% w/w and salicylic acid 16.7% w/w.

Duofilm also contains ethanol and ether as inactive ingredients.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of ingredients. You must read the Patient Information Leaflet thoroughly before using Duofilm.

Duofilm side effects

Like most medications, Duofilm can cause some people to experience unwanted side effects. For a full list of side effects please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you experience or are worried about severe side effects or an allergic reaction you should stop using Duofilm straight away and seek immediate support from a doctor or an emergency department.

The most common side effect experienced by people using Duofilm occurs when the liquid is applied to the surrounding healthy skin which can cause irritation and sometimes blistering.

Duofilm can also cause irritation, swelling, discolouration and pain to any site of application.