Synalar Ointment 0.025% W/W
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Fluocinolone Acetonide Ph. Eur. 0.025% w/w
Ointment
Synalar ®
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.
Throughout the leaflet this medicine will be referred to as Synalar ointment.
In this leaflet:
1. What Synalar ointment is and what it is used for 4. Possible side effects
2. Before you use Synalar ointment 5. How to store Synalar ointment
3. How to use Synalar ointment 6. Further information
1. WHAT SYNALAR OINTMENT IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Synalar ointment contains fluocinolone acetonide 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 SYNALAR OINTMENT Do not use Synalar ointment:
• If you know you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
• Where infection is the main cause of the skin problem.
• 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 Synalar ointment:
• Synalar ointment should be kept away from the eyes.
• If using Synalar ointment on the face or on children (over the age of 1 year), do not use for more than 5 days. Your doctor will tell you if your treatment should be longer than this.
• 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 Synalar ointment.
Pregnancy and breast feeding
Do not use more cream than the doctor tells you to.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking 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
Synalar ointment should not affect your ability to drive or use machinery.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Synalar ointment
Some of the ingredients in your ointment may cause a reaction, such as: Propylene glycol - may cause skin irritation.
3. HOW TO USE SYNALAR OINTMENT
Always use Synalar 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, two or three times a day. Rub it gently and thoroughly into the skin. Try to apply your ointment at the same times each day. Use the ointment for as long as directed by your doctor (normally 5 days on the face and on children, and 7 days otherwise)
If you forget to use Synalar 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 Synalar 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 in to 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 SYNALAR 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 0.025% w/w Fluocinolone Acetonide.
The other ingredients are citric acid, lanolin anhydrous, propylene glycol, and white soft paraffin.
What Synalar ointment looks like and contents of the pack Synalar ointment comes in tubes of 30 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.
‘Synalar' is a registered trademark.
This leaflet was last revised in March 2015
910609
Printed in Sweden BERGSTENS, HBG 150216