SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1    NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Synalar C Ointment

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Fluocinolone Acetonide    Ph. Eur 0.025% w/w

Clioquinol    BP    3.0% w/w

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Ointment

4    CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1    Therapeutic indications

‘Synalar’ C combines the effective topical corticosteroid ‘Synalar’ with the effective antibacterial and antifungal agent clioquinol BP.

It is indicated for inflammatory dermatoses - including eczema, dermatitis, seborrhoea and intertrigo where secondary bacterial and/or fungal infection is present or likely to occur.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Topical Administration

A small quantity of the ‘Synalar’ C preparation is applied lightly to the affected area two or three times a day, and massaged gently and thoroughly into the skin. If occlusive dressing is indicated, the affected area is first thoroughly cleansed, the ‘Synalar’ C preparation is then applied with a suitable dressing.

‘Synalar’ C Cream is particularly suitable for very inflamed or weeping surfaces and for flexures of the body, whilst ‘Synalar’ C ointment is more suitable for dry scaly lesions.

Treatment should not normally be for longer than a week, and it is preferable to identify the causative organism.

These recommendations apply too both children and adults, including the elderly.

4.3 Contraindications

‘Synalar’ C preparations are contra-indicated in primary infections of the skin caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses and in rosacea, acne, perioral dermatitis and napkin eruptions.

‘Synalar’ C preparations are not advised in the treatment of children under one year of age.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Long term continuous topical steroid therapy can produce local atrophic skin changes and dilation of the superficial blood vessels, particularly when occlusive dressings are used or where skin folds are involved. Prolonged use of topical steroids or treatment of extensive areas, even without occlusion, can result in sufficient absorption of the steroid to produce the features of hypercorticalism and underlying adrenal suppression, especially in infants and children.

In the presence of a viral infection, the use of an appropriate agent should be instituted. If a favourable response does not occur promptly ‘Synalar’ C should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled.

Treatment should be discontinued if unfavourable reactions are seen. This product should not be used by patients with known iodine-sensitivity.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Not applicable.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy: There is inadequate evidence of safety in human pregnancy. Topical administration of steroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of foetal development, including cleft palate and intrauterine growth retardation. There may therefore be a very small risk of such effects on the human foetus.

Lactation: Topical steroids should not be applied to the breasts prior to nursing. When steroid treatment is considered necessary during breast feeding, both the amount applied and the length of treatment should be minimised.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No precautions are necessary.

4.8 Undesirable effects

As with all topical steroids the occasional patient may develop an adverse reaction. Adverse reactions are listed by system organ class. The frequency of adverse reactions cannot be estimated from the available data.

Immune System Disorders

Local hypersensitivity reactions

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

Dermatitis Perioral dermatitis Acne or worsening of acne Acne rosacea

Extensive treatment, particularly involving occlusive dressings or where skin folds are involved, can result in both local atrophic changes, such as striae, skin thinning and telangiectasia. Mild depigmentation, which may be reversible, hypertrichosis and irreversible striae.

Local application of clioquinol in creams or ointments may occasionally cause severe irritation, which may be less marked because of the fluocinolone acetonide.

Endocrine Disorders

Adrenal suppression.

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions

Irritation at the site of application.

Staining may occur due to breakdown of the clioquinol. A protective covering may be placed over the application to prevent staining of clothing or linen.

The eyes should be avoided.

Infections and Infestations

The use of topical steroids on infected lesions, without the addition of appropriate anti-infective therapy, can result in the spread of opportunist infections.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system in the United Kingdom: Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard

4.9 Overdose

The 15g tube of ’Synalar’ C contains 3.75mg of steroid and 0.45g of clioquinol BP. No toxic effects are likely to occur even if the full contents of a tube are ingested. Similarly, the ingredients of the base are unlikely to have any toxic effects in the quantities in which they occur. Therefore, no remedial actions are required in the event of ingestion.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Fluocinolone acetonide is a synthetic anti-inflammatory corticosteroid. Its mechanisms of action are related to vasoconstriction and suppression of membrane permeability, mitotic activity, the immune response and release of inflammatory mediators.

Clioquinol is a broad spectrum anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. Its precise mechanism of action is unknown.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

The extent of percutaneous absorption of fluocinolone acetonide is determined by many factors including the vehicle, the integrity of the epidermal barrier and the use of occlusive dressings. Following absorption, fluocinolone acetonide is metabolised primarily in the liver and excreted by the kidneys.

Up to 4% clioquinol applied to the skin may be absorbed. Excretion is mainly as conjugated metabolites in the urine.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Fluocinolone acetonide and clinoquinol are drugs on which extensive clinical experience has been obtained. All relevant information for the prescriber is provided elsewhere in the Summary of Product Characteristics.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Propylene Glycol    EP

Lanolin Anhydrous    HSE

Paraffin Liquid    EP

Anhydrous Citric Acid    EP

White Soft Paraffin    BP

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known.

6.3 Shelf life

36 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Store below 25°C.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Internally lacquered collapsible aluminium tubes 15g.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Not applicable.

7    MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Reig Jofre UK Limited

10, The Barns Farm Road

Caddsdown Industrial Park Bideford

Devon EX39 3BT United Kingdom

8    MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 44095/0008

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

03/03/2011

10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

01/07/2015