Topical gel
Trade name Picato
Found in the sap of the plant Euphorbia peplus
An inducer of cell death.
Approved for the topical treatment of actinic keratosis.
Two different strengths of the gel are approved: the face and scalp (0.015%) or the trunk and extremities (0.05%), respectively.
Gel applied topically for 2 to 3 days is effective for treatment of actinic keratoses.
Complications: Irritation of the application site are very common.
Irritations include: redness, scaling, crusting, pain, pruritus, and sometimes infection.
Other reported side effects include periorbital edema, headache and nasopharyngitis.
Allergic reactions or shingles may also occur.
Essentially not absorbed through the skin.
An ester of the diterpene ingenol and angelic acid.