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Overview: Ycanth is used to treat a viral skin infection called molluscum contagiosum. Common side effects include skin reactions, such as blisters, scabbing, skin pain, itching, redness, or swelling. Ycanth is flammable, even after it dries on your skin. Avoid flames, fire, and smoking during treatment and while you have Ycanth on your skin, until you wash it off.

Uses

What is Ycanth used for?

Ycanth (cantharidin) is commonly used to treat molluscum contagiosum, a viral skin infection.

Ycanth may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Ycanth work (mechanism of action)?

Pearly bumps on the skin are a typical sign of molluscum contagiosum. After applying Ycanth, it is absorbed by skin cells where proteases are released. These proteases seem to weaken the bond between the bumps and the skin, causing a blister to form beneath it.

How is Ycanth supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Ycanth

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.7% topical solution

How should I store Ycanth?

Ycanth is applied by a health care provider in a medical office or clinic. You will not store it at home. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Ycanth?

The most common side effects of Ycanth are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Skin blisters (which may or may not contain fluid)
  • Scabs
  • Skin sores (breakdown of the outer layer of skin)
  • Skin pain, itching, redness, or swelling
  • Skin discoloration (lightening or darkening of the skin)
  • Dry skin

There may be other side effects of Ycanth that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Ycanth?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Ycanth are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ycanth may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using Ycanth and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Oral Contact Toxicity. Ycanth can cause severe reactions, including possible death if it gets into the mouth or is swallowed. These reactions can include kidney failure, blisters and severe damage to the stomach and intestines, blood clotting problems, seizures, and a certain type of paralysis. Follow your health care provider's instructions after Ycanth is applied to avoid any mouth contact with Ycanth or where Ycanth was applied. If Ycanth comes into contact with the mouth or is swallowed, contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222 or go to the nearest emergency room right away. 

Eye Contact Toxicity. If Ycanth gets into the eyes, severe eye damage can occur, including holes in your eyes, scarring, redness, irritation, severe eye pain, or permanent eye damage, including blindness. Follow your health care provider's instructions after Ycanth is applied to avoid eye contact with Ycanth. If you get Ycanth in your eyes, flush them with water for at least 15 minutes and get medical help right away. 

Severe Skin Reactions. It is common to have skin reactions where Ycanth is applied, but more severe skin reactions may occur. Ask your health care provider if you can take any over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine to help with mild pain. If you get severe blistering, pain, or other severe reactions, wash the medicine off your skin and call your health care provider right away.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Ycanth?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Ycanth.

  • Cantharidin
  • Ycanth
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Ycanth.

What should I know about Ycanth before using it?

Ycanth is applied by a health care provider in a medical office or clinic. Your health care provider will tell you when to come in for treatment. More than one treatment may be needed. Follow the schedule given to you by your provider. 

Your health care provider will have you wait until the medicine dries (about five minutes) before you leave. Do not touch the treated areas for 24 hours, or until you wash it off. Follow your health care provider's instructions to remove Ycanth with soap and water. Avoid using a washcloth, rough material, or rubbing the area vigorously, as this may cause pain.

Do not allow children to bite or lick treated areas. Ycanth contains a bitter-tasting ingredient to discourage children from putting it in their mouths. Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns.

Ycanth contains a purple-colored dye. You may see a purple color on the treated areas of your skin. This is normal and will go away when you wash it off. If you have questions, talk to your health care provider.

Do not cover the treated area with bandages. Do not apply any topical products (such as medicines, creams, lotions, or sunscreen) to the treated area for at least 24 hours after Ycanth is applied or until you wash it off. Using these products may spread Ycanth and cause blistering or other reactions on healthy skin. 

Ycanth is flammable, even after it dries on your skin. Avoid flames, fire, and smoking during treatment and while you have Ycanth on your skin, until you wash it off.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Ycanth?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Ycanth is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Molluscum Treatment. Tell your health care provider if you are currently being treated or have been treated for molluscum bumps.

Skin Problems. Tell your health care provider if you have any other skin problems in the treatment area.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Ycanth could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Ycanth passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should use Ycanth while breastfeeding. If your health care provider approves use of Ycanth while breastfeeding, they will avoid applying the medicine to areas of your skin where your baby could get it in their eyes or mouth. 

How can I get more information about Ycanth?

For more information about Ycanth, you can visit the drugmaker's website at www.ycanth.com or call them at 877-837-7422.

Interactions

Does Ycanth interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Ycanth and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Ycanth.

Does Ycanth interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Ycanth and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Ycanth?

If you or someone else has used too much Ycanth, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Ycanth?

Your health care provider will schedule your appointments for Ycanth. If you miss an appointment, call your provider as soon as possible to reschedule.