Ycanth

Pronunciation: WYE'-KANTH
Generic name: cantharidin 0.7%
Dosage form: topical solution
Drug class: Topical keratolytics

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jul 23, 2023.

What is Ycanth?

Ycanth (cantharidin 0.7%) is a topical solution that is applied by a healthcare provider once every 3 weeks to the skin as needed to treat molluscum contagiosum in adults and children 2 years of age and older.

Molluscum contagiosum is a viral skin disease characterized by distinctive raised, skin-toned-to-pink-colored lesions called Mollusca that can cause pain, inflammation, itching, and bacterial infection. It is unknown how cantharidin works to treat molluscum contagiosum.

Ycanth was FDA approved on July 21, 2023.

Warnings

Life-threatening or fatal toxicities can occur if Ycanth is administered orally. Contact with the treatment area must be avoided so that it does not get into the mouth and eyes.

Be vigilant with not allowing children to touch the area then put their hands in their mouth. If Ycanth gets in the eyes, flush them with water for at least 15 minutes.

Skin reactions at the treatment site can be serious and have included vesiculation, pruritus, pain, discoloration, and erythema. It should not be applied near the eyes or mouth or to healthy skin; if it comes into contact with these areas remove it immediately.

If severe local skin reactions occur, remove the product before the 24-hour treatment period has finished.

Ycanth is flammable, even after drying. Avoid fire, flame, or smoking during treatment and until the product has been removed.

Before taking this medicine

Ycanth should not be applied to people who are allergic to cantharidin or any of the inactive ingredients in the solution.

To make sure Ycanth is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

previous treatment for molluscum bumps
other skin problems
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Ycanth is safe and effective in children under 2 years of age.

Pregnancy

It is not known if Ycanth can harm your unborn baby.

Breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding, your healthcare provider should avoid applying Ycanth to areas of your skin where your baby could come into contact with the solution and get it in their mouth or eyes. Ask your healthcare provider if you should breastfeed while Ycanth is on your skin.

How is Ycanth administered?

Ycanth is for use on the skin (topical use) only, and it needs to be applied by a healthcare provider to the areas on your skin with molluscum bumps. It is not for use in the mouth, nose, genital areas, or eyes.

You may need more than one treatment with Ycanth and it can be applied by your healthcare provider every 3 weeks as needed.

Preparing for treatment with Ycanth

On the day of treatment do not apply topical steroids, creams, lotions, or sunscreen to the areas of skin with molluscum bumps.

Your healthcare provider who has been trained in the application of Ycanth, will apply the product as a single application to the skin while wearing gloves and personal protective equipment, including eye protection.

After your healthcare provider has applied Ycanth to your skin:

allow it to dry completely before leaving your healthcare provider’s office or clinic (up to 5 minutes)
do not touch the treated areas for 24 hours or until washing or allow them to come into contact with your mouth, nose, genital areas, or your eyes for 24 hours or until washing
do not allow children to lick or bite the treated areas. Ycanth contains a bittering agent to discourage young children from putting it in their mouths.

Ycanth contains a violet-colored dye that may temporarily stain the treated areas of your skin.

You may take over-the-counter pain relief medicines as needed.

Wash the treated skin area with soap and water 24 hours after treatment unless your healthcare provider instructs you otherwise. Wash Ycanth gently off your skin sooner if you develop severe blistering, severe pain, or other severe reactions. Do not use a washcloth, abrasive material, or vigorous rubbing because this could be painful.

What should I avoid after receiving treatment with Ycanth?

Avoid:

contact with the treated areas of your skin, including contact with your mouth
applying topical steroids, creams, lotions, or sunscreen to treated areas for 24 hours after treatment or until you wash Ycanth off your skin
covering the treated area with bandages
fire, flame, or smoking during treatment and until Ycanth is washed off of your skin because it is flammable, even after drying.

Ycanth side effects

Ycanth can cause serious side effects, some of which are life-threatening if it gets into the mouth or eyes including:

kidney failure
blisters and severe damage to your stomach and intestine (intestinal tract)
blood clotting problems
seizures
a certain type of paralysis.

If you or your child swallow (ingest) Ycanth, contact a Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Severe eye injury can happen if Ycanth gets into your eyes, including:

ulcers or small holes in the eyes
scarring
redness
irritation
severe eye pain
permanent eye injury, including blindness.

If Ycanth accidentally gets into the eyes, flush them well with water for at least 15 minutes and get medical help right away.

Common adverse reactions include local skin reactions at the application site such as:

small fluid-filled or non-fluid-filled raised blisters on or around the treated area(s)
pain
itching
scabs
redness
lightening or darkening of the skin in the treated area(s)
dry skin at the treated area(s)
swelling on or near the treated area(s)
breakdown of the outer layer of skin at the treated area(s).

If you develop severe blistering, severe pain, or other severe reactions at the treated areas of your or your child’s skin, wash Ycanth off the skin sooner than 24 hours and call your healthcare provider.

These are not all the possible side effects of Ycanth. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or to Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-877-837-7422.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Your healthcare provider will let you know if you need further treatment with Ycanth. If you miss a treatment, contact them to reschedule.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if you have a serious reaction to Ycanth or accidentally swallow it or get it in your eyes.

What other drugs will affect Ycanth?

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

No studies evaluating the drug interaction potential of cantharidin have been conducted.

Ycanth should not be applied at the same time as topical steroids, creams, lotions, or sunscreen and for 24 hours after treatment or until it is washed off.

Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Storage

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Protect from light.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: cantharidin.

Inactive ingredients: acetone, camphor, castor oil, denatonium benzoate, ethanol, gentian violet, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and nitrocellulose.

Note: the inactive ingredient denatonium benzoate is a bittering agent to discourage young children from putting it in their mouths and accidentally swallowing Ycanth.