cantharidin collodion

Cantharidin collodion is a topical pharmaceutical formulation containing 0.7% cantharidin in a film-forming vehicle composed of acetone, collodion, castor oil, and camphor. The active ingredient, cantharidin, is a vesicant derived from blister beetles (family Meloidae). It acts primarily through acantholysis—disrupting desmosomal attachments between epidermal cells—which leads to intraepidermal blister formation and subsequent exfoliation of lesions such as warts and molluscum contagiosum[8][4][5]. The basal layer of the skin remains intact during this process, minimizing scarring[8]. Cantharidin’s mechanism also involves inhibition of serine/threonine-protein phosphatases (notably protein phosphatase 2A), which may contribute to its cytotoxic effects[6][5]. This product is applied by healthcare professionals for the treatment of common warts (verruca vulgaris), periungual warts, plantar warts (in some cases), and molluscum contagiosum in adults and children above certain age thresholds[8][1].

Brand names

Cantharone

Other names

cantharidin collodioncantharidin 0.7% in collodion