Zineryt solution contains two active ingredients, erythromycin and zinc acetate.

What is Zineryt used for?

  • Acne vulgaris.

How does Zineryt work?

  • Zineryt solution contains two active ingredients, erythromycin and zinc acetate.
  • Erythromycin is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It works by attacking the bacteria associated with acne, Propionibacterium acnes. This is a common type of bacteria that feeds on sebum produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin. It produces waste products and fatty acids that irritate the sebaceous glands, making them inflamed and causing spots.
  • Erythromycin prevents these bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. Erythromycin doesn't directly kill the bacteria, but leaves them unable to increase in numbers.
The remaining bacteria eventually die or are destroyed by the immune system.
  • By controlling bacterial numbers, erythromycin brings the inflammation of the sebaceous glands under control, and allows the skin to heal.
  • Zinc preparations have traditionally been used for their skin healing properties. In this preparation, zinc is used in the form of zinc acetate because this combines with the erythromycin to form a chemical complex which is efficiently absorbed into the skin.
  • Zineryt solution should be applied twice daily over the whole of the affected area for a period of 10 to 12 weeks.
  • Zineryt should not  be used by

    • People with  an allergy to macrolide antibiotics, eg erythromycin, clarithromycin.
    • This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
    • If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

    Pregnancy and breastfeeding

    Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

    • There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. However, if used by breastfeeding mothers it should not be applied to the chest to avoid the child accidentally ingesting it while feeding.

    Possible side effects of Zineryt

    Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

    Rare (affect between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 people)

    • Skin irritation and burning sensation.
    • Skin dryness.
    • Itching of skin.
    • Temporary redness of the skin.
    • Peeling of the skin.

    Very rare (affect less than 1 in 10,000 people)

    • Severe allergic reaction.

    The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

    If you think you have experienced a side effect from a medicine or vaccine you should check the patient information leaflet. This lists the known side effects and what to do if you get them. You can also get advice from your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. If they think it's necessary they'll report it for you.

    How can Zineryt affect other medicines?

    Your skin may be more likely to get dry or irritated if you are use other topical preparations on your skin, for example medicated cosmetics, soaps, toiletries or other anti-acne preparations, in combination with this medicine.

    When taken by mouth erythromycin can interact with many other medicines. However, when applied to the skin, erythromycin is not expected to be absorbed in sufficient quantities to cause problems with other medicines.

    References:

    http://www.livestrong.com/article/205784-zineryt-for-clearing-acne/

    http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-and-hair/a7793/zineryt-solution-erythromycin-zinc-acetate/

    https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/18688

    https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/2268

     

    Health Reference: Acne

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