Patient Information Leaflet

Fluocinonide USP 0.05% w/w

MelOSMQ® Ointment

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.

•    Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

•    If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

•    This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

•    If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

In this leaflet:

1. What Metosyn ointment is and what it is used for    4. Possible side effects

2. Before you use Metosyn ointment    5. How to store Metosyn ointment

3.    How to use Metosyn ointment    6. Further information

1. WHAT METOSYN OINTMENT IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR

Metosyn ointment contains fluocinonide which is a steroid and reduces inflammation.

It is used to treat certain inflammatory, itchy or allergic skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, prurigo, psoriasis, lichen planus and discoid lupus erythematosus.

It is not normally used to treat large areas of psoriasis because the likelihood of side effects is greater.

2. BEFORE YOU USE METOSYN OINTMENT

Do not use Metosyn ointment:

•    If you know you are allergic to any of the ingredients.

•    Where infection is the main cause of the skin problem, particularly if it is caused by TB, syphilis, a fungus or a virus.

•    For acne.

•    For nappy rash or itchiness around the genital area.

•    If you have a skin condition called rosacea which is red rash, sometimes with spots and pustules, on the cheeks of the face.

•    If you have a skin condition called perioral dermatitis which is a dry sore red rash around the mouth

•    If it is for a child under the age of one.

•    If breast-feeding, do not apply to the breasts prior to nursing.

Make sure your doctor knows if any of the above affects you.

Take special care with Metosyn ointment:

•    Metosyn ointment should not normally be used on the face. If it is, keep away from the eyes and do not use for more than 5 days.

•    Waterproof dressings should not be used for children, or the face and only in adults if your doctor tells you. The affected area should be thoroughly cleaned before putting on a waterproof dressing. Ask your doctor for instructions.

•    Do not use more ointment than the doctor tells you, especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

•    If too much ointment is used for too long, you may develop stretch marks, thinning of the skin, or visible small veins.

Taking or using other medicines

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken or used any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If you go into hospital, let the medical staff know that you are using Metosyn ointment.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Do not use more ointment than the doctor tells you to.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this, or any other medicine when you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Metosyn ointment should not affect your ability to drive or use machinery.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Metosyn ointment

Some of the ingredients in your ointment may cause a reaction, such as: propylene glycol - may cause skin irritation.

3.    HOW TO USE METOSYN OINTMENT

Always use Metosyn ointment exactly as your doctor has told you. Please read the label on the tube. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Unless your doctor tells you differently, put a small amount of ointment onto the affected area, three or four times a day. Rub it gently and thoroughly into the skin. Once the condition starts to improve it may be possible to reduce the dose to once or twice a day.

Try to apply your ointment at the same times each day.

Use the ointment for as long as directed by your doctor.

If you forget to use Metosyn ointment

If you forget to apply the ointment at the correct time, do so as soon as you remember.

What to do in case of overdose

If you accidentally swallow the ointment, contact your nearest doctor or hospital.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4.    POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines Metosyn ointment can sometimes cause side effects, although not everybody has them. The following side effects have also been reported but how often they occur is unknown:

•    an allergic (itchy) reaction to the ointment

•    irritation where the ointment has been applied

•    a worsening of acne, rosacea and dermatitis around the mouth (see section 2)

•    patches of pale skin (depigmentation)

•    localised increased hair growth

•    if too much ointment is used for too long, you may develop stretch marks, thinning of the skin or visible small veins. In addition some of the steroid rubbed into the skin, may enter the blood stream. Effects such as roundness of the face, muscle wasting and fluid retention, as sometimes seen when steroids are given as tablets, may occur. The risk of these possible effects is higher in children. If this happens, your doctor may decide to stop treatment.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not have any of them.

If any of the side effects become serious, or you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5.HOW TO STORE METOSYN OINTMENT

Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Your ointment could harm them.

You should store your ointment below 25°C. Keep your ointment in the tube it came in. Do not use your ointment after the expiry date on the tube. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6.FURTHER INFORMATION The active ingredient is 0.05% w/w Fluocinonide.

The other ingredients are amerchol CAB, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, white soft paraffin. What Metosyn ointment looks like and contents of the pack Metosyn ointment comes in tubes of 25 and 100 grams.

Marketing authorisation holder

Reig Jofre UK Ltd, 10 The Barns, Farm Road, Caddsdown Industrial Park, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3BT, UK Manufacturer

Bioglan AB, PO Box 50310, S-202 13 Malmo, Sweden.

‘Metosyn' is a registered trademark.

This leaflet was last revised in March 2015.

Printed in Sweden BERGSTENS, HBG 150216