Dithrocream contains the active ingredient dithranol, which is a medicine applied to the skin to treat psoriasis.
What is it used for?
- Psoriasis
How does it work?
- Dithrocream contains the active ingredient dithranol, which is a medicine applied to the skin to treat psoriasis.
- Psoriasis is a condition in which thickened, scaly patches or plaques of skin form. These are the result of excessive production of skin cells.
- Dithranol works by slowing down the process of skin cell production. It is applied only to the psoriasis plaques and not to normal healthy skin. The dithranol is absorbed into the skin cells and inhibits DNA replication in these cells. This slows down cell division and stops the cells from multiplying excessively. In turn, this reduces the thickening and scaling of the skin and clears up the psoriasis plaques.
- Dithranol can irritate and stain the skin, so the treatment is usually only applied for a short time every day. This is called 'short contact therapy'.
Use with caution in
- Children.
Not to be used on
- Infants and young children
- Pustular psoriasis
- Inflamed, broken, blistered, raw or oozing areas of skin
- Skin on the face, genitals, flexures or in skin folds.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or 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.
- The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should only be used by pregnant women if clearly necessary. Seek medical advice from your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.
- Women who are breastfeeding should not apply this cream to the breast area, to avoid the infant accidentally ingesting it. Make sure that the cream does not come into contact with the baby's skin or mouth. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
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. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Redness or burning sensation of the treated skin or the surrounding skin
- Brownish staining of the treated skin or the surrounding skin (this will disappear within one to two weeks after finishing treatment)
- Temporary staining of fingernails or hair
- Allergic skin rash.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug'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.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
- It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already using, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medicines while using this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
- You shouldn't apply any other medicines to your skin at the same time as this cream.
References:
http://patient.info/medicine/dithranol-for-psoriasis-dithrocream-micanol
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-and-hair/a6598/dithrocream-dithranol/
https://www.drugs.com/uk/dithrocream-0-1-w-w-leaflet.html
Print This Page
