Patient Information Leaflet

Patient Information Leaflet

Propaderm Cream

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What you should know about Propaderm Cream

What your cream does

Propaderm Cream is a strong and rapidly effective treatment for inflamed skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ THIS CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT

Following this advice gives the cream a chance to work safely and effectively.

What is in your cream

Propaderm Cream is one of a group of medicines called topical steroids. "Topical" means they are put on the skin. Topical steroids reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems. (They should not be confused with "anabolic" steroids misused by some body builders and taken as tablets or injections).

Ingredients of the cream include:

The active ingredient - beclomethasone dipropionate 0.025%

a preservative - chlorocresol

in a base containing cetomacrogol 1000, cetostearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin.

The cream does not contain any lanolin, parabens or colouring agents.

Before you use your cream

This cream has been prescribed to treat the skin problem that you showed to your doctor.

DO NOT put it on any other skin problems as it could make them worse,

especially:

acne

skin infections such as cold sores, herpes, impetigo, athletes foot, chicken pox,

ringworm, thrush

itchiness of anus (back passage)

itchiness of genitals (private parts)

conditions called rosacea and perioral dermatitis.

If you have had an allergy to any creams or ointments in the past
If you think you may be pregnant

Did you tell your doctor at the last visit or an earlier visit?

IF YOU DID NOT TELL YOUR DOCTOR THEN YOU SHOULD DO SO BEFORE STARTING THE TREATMENT

Even so, your doctor may still want you to use the cream.

Face –

YOU SHOULD NOT normally use on the face where the skin thins easily - BUT if your doctor has advised you to use it on the face then, if possible, the course of treatment should not last more than five days. It is important that you DO NOT let the cream get in your eyes.

Children –

DO NOT use on a child under one year of age, or under the napkin, or airtight dressing of an infant older than one year. (These make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin).

How to use your cream

If your doctor has told you in detail HOW MUCH to use and HOW OFTEN then keep to this advice.

If you are not sure then follow the advice on the back of this leaflet.

Unless told by your doctor:

YOU SHOULD NOT use more than this.
YOU SHOULD NOT use on large areas of the body for a long time (such as nearly every day for many weeks or months).

Overuse like this may:

thin the skin so that it damages easily
allow the active ingredient to pass through the skin and affect other parts of the body, especially in infants and children.

If your skin problem does not improve in two to four weeks tell your doctor.

If your doctor has prescribed the cream for psoriasis you should let your doctor review your progress at regular intervals, as such treatment needs careful supervision. 0

Has the cream any side effects?

Most people find using this cream causes no problems when used in the right amount for the correct length of time (See above as well as guidance on back of this leaflet).

IF you find your condition gets worse during treatment you may be allergic to the cream or have a skin infection.

STOP USING THE CREAM AND TELL YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Repeated courses of topical steroids over a long period of time may sometimes cause changes in hair growth and skin colour.

Guidance on how much cream to use

If your doctor has told you in detail how to use the cream then keep to that advice otherwise:-

Use the cream twice a day at first and less often as your skin condition gets better. After washing your hands, gently rub the correct amount of cream into the skin until it has all disappeared.

For an adult:

You should find that

two fingertips of cream will treat both hands or one foot

three fingertips of cream will treat one arm

six fingertips of cream will treat one leg

fourteen fingertips of cream will treat the front and back of one trunk

Fingertip Units

Do not worry if you find you need a little more or a little less than this - it is only a rough guide.

Wash your hands before using the cream. Gently rub the correct amount into the skin until it has all disappeared. Unless used for treating the hands wash them again after using the cream. Anyone who helps to rub in the cream should also do the same or wear disposable plastic gloves.

For a child:

It should not be used in children under one year of age.

The smaller the child the less you use.

A child of 4 years needs about a third of the adult amount.

A course of treatment for a child should not normally last more than five days unless your doctor has told you to use it for longer.

Propaderm Ointment

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What is in your ointment

Propaderm Ointment is one of a group of medicines called topical steroids. "Topical" means they are put on the skin. Topical steroids reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems. (They should not be confused with "anabolic" steroids misused by some body builders and taken as tablets or injections).

Ingredients of the ointment include:

The active ingredient - beclomethasone dipropionate 0.025%

in a base containing propylene glycol and white soft paraffin.

The ointment does not contain any lanolin, parabens or colouring agents.