Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
4head 90% w/w Cutaneous Stick
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Levomenthol may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
FOR
• • •
4head stick is a treatment for headaches that is applied directly to the forehead. The active ingredient in this product is levomenthol. When applied to the forehead the product causes local skin sensations (such as cooling or tingling) at the site of application, followed by an analgesic (painkilling) effect.
2. BEFORE YOU USE 4HEAD Do not use this product if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to levomenthol or any of the other ingredients listed in section 6. Take special care with this product:
- Keep it away from sources of heat at all times. The levomenthol stick may soften or even melt at high temperatures (eg in a car or in the sun on a hot day), leading to a risk of leakage or spillage. Do not attempt to use 4head if the levomenthol stick has changed shape, softened or become flaky.
- Do not put this product in your mouth or swallow it.
- Keep it away from your eyes.
- Do not share this product with anyone else. Using other medicines 4head stick is not known to affect, or be affected by, any other medicines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding This product can be used during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. The ingredients have been in widespread use in this and similar preparations for many years, without significant adverse reports. However, safety trials have not been conducted. If you are pregnant and often have headaches, tell your midwife or doctor so that they can advise you. Severe headaches in pregnancy can be a sign of high blood pressure and you should seek urgent advice. Driving and using machinery Using this product is not known to affect your ability to drive or use machinery. Use only directly on the forehead. Do not swallow. For adults, the elderly and children:
- Before use, remove both the outer cap and the small inner cap from the top of the dispenser.
- Whilst holding the upper section of the dispenser, twist the base anti-clockwise until the levomenthol stick protrudes from the top. Continued overleaf
DD5/20/1a 202680
How to take it
4HEAD
• • •
Apply the stick gently across the forehead (taking care to avoid the eyes). After use, retract the stick into the dispenser and replace both caps. Reapply as and when required (unless the skin sensations become too strong). If the product comes into contact with the eyes or mouth The product may cause irritation if it comes into contact with the eyes or mouth. If this occurs, rinse the affected site with plenty of water. If rinsing one eye, take care to avoid washing product into the other eye. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. If the product is accidentally swallowed, go to a hospital Accident & Emergency department straight away, taking this leaflet with you. Symptoms can include severe tummy pain, sickness, dizziness, drowsiness, impaired co-ordination and unconsciousness. Emergency stomach washout may be required, as levomenthol is toxic if swallowed. If you use too much of this product the skin sensation may become too strong. If this happens, use it less frequently or apply it over a smaller area.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, 4head stick can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. In some rare cases it can cause irritant or allergic skin reactions on extremely sensitive skin. Because the product is volatile (i.e. liable to give off a small amount of vapour), in rare cases it may cause temporary, mild watering of the eyes. Stop using this product if it feels uncomfortable. If any side effect gets serious, or if you notice any other side effect not mentioned in this leaflet, stop using this product and 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 or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
4HEAD
• • • • • •
Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use 4head stick after the expiry date shown on the dispenser and on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C. Keep away from sources of heat. Always replace both caps after use. 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.
What 4head contains The active ingredient is levomenthol (90% w/w). The other ingredients are macrogol 20000 and peppermint oil. What 4head looks like and contents of the pack The stick is a hard, white to off-white opaque material, with a smooth appearance. The stick is available in a dispenser containing 3.6g. Each dispenser is fitted with an inner and outer cap. The Marketing Authorisation holder is Diomed Developments Ltd, Tatmore Place, Gosmore, Hitchin, Herts, SG4 7QR, UK. The Manufacturer is Aeropak, Viking Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 0NU, UK. This Patient Information Leaflet was last revised in August 2024. To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio, please call free of charge: 0800 198 5000 (UK only). Please be ready to give the following information: 4head, 00173/0193 This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
DD5/20/1a 202680
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
Frequently asked questions about 4head 90% w/w Cutaneous Stick
What is the active substance in 4head 90% w/w Cutaneous Stick?
The active substance in 4head 90% w/w Cutaneous Stick is levomenthol.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for 4head 90% w/w Cutaneous Stick, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get 4head 90% w/w Cutaneous Stick without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: levomenthol
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
For the relief of headaches.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
4head is to be applied gently to the forehead. To be used as required, but excessive use avoided. If symptoms persist or worsen seek medical advice. For external, topical application only.
4.3. Contraindications
Not recommended in patients where there is a known hypersensitivity to menthol.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Keep away from the eyes, levomenthol is irritant if allowed to come into contact with the eyes. For single patient use only. For topical use – not to be taken.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
There is no information on safety when used during pregnancies and breast feeding, but there should be no hazard when applied as advised.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Menthol may give rise to hypersensitivity reactions including contact dermatitis. Because levomenthol is volatile, in rare cases it may cause temporary, mild watering of the eyes.
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 Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9. Overdose
If accidentally ingested menthol is reported to cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, ataxia, drowsiness and coma. Treatment for accidental ingestion is by emptying the stomach by gastric lavage. A saline laxative and activated charcoal should be administered. Convulsions may be controlled by the slow intravenous administration of diazepam. Haemodialysis with a lipid dialysate has been employed.
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Levomenthol. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
- Neo-Angin Spray partial — not the same combinationAlcohol 2,4-dichlorobenzylicus + Amylmetacresolum + Levomentholum · taken by mouth
- Neo-angin wiśnia partial — not the same combinationAlcohol 2,4-dichlorobenzylicus + Amylmetacresolum + Levomentholum · taken by mouth
- Neo-angin szałwia partial — not the same combinationAlcohol 2,4-dichlorobenzylicus + Amylmetacresolum + Levomentholum · taken by mouth
- Pudroderm partial — not the same combinationBenzocainum + Zinci oxidum + Levomentholum · taken by mouth
- Sonol partial — not the same combinationAcidum salicylicum + Levomentholum + Thymolum
- Ibum Sport partial — not the same combinationIbuprofenum + Levomentholum
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about 4head 90% w/w Cutaneous Stick. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.