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.
Anthisan Cream
⚠ 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 Mepyramine maleate 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 Anthisan Cream contains a medicine called mepyramine maleate. This belongs to a group of medicines called antihistamines. It works by blocking a natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. Anthisan Cream may be provided directly by a pharmacist for use in the following situation:
- Pain, itching and inflammation caused by insect stings, bites and nettle rash You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse after 3 days.
Do not use this medicine if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Anthisan Cream. Other medicines and Anthisan Cream Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines you can buy without prescription, including herbal medicines. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice before using this medicine. Driving and using machines You may feel drowsy or sleepy while using this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines. Anthisan Cream contains ceto-stearyl alcohol, castor oil and methyl hydroxybenzoate. This medicine contains:
- Ceto-stearyl alcohol and castor oil. These may cause local skin reactions (such as ''contact dermatitis'' which may include the following symptoms: skin redness, swelling and itching, pain or burning sensation).
- Methyl hydroxybenzoate. This may cause an allergic reaction, possibly delayed. This reaction may happen some time after starting the medicine
What you need to know before you take it
e Anthisan Cream 3. How to use Anthisan Cream 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Anthisan Cream 6. Contents of the pack and other information
How to take it
Anthisan Cream Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
*884264* Adults, Elderly and Children The recommended dose is two or three times a day for up to three days:
- Apply the cream directly to the affected areas of skin
- Do not apply the cream on eczema and badly broken skin
- For best results, use as soon as possible after the bite or sting
- Repeated use of the cream for periods longer than a few days is not recommended
- If your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 3 days talk to your doctor or pharmacist If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor or pharmacist.
884264
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Anthisan Cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop using Anthisan Cream and see a doctor or go to a hospital straight away if you notice any of the following side effects:
- An allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue Stop using Anthisan Cream and tell a pharmacist if you notice the following side effect:
- An increase in skin redness, swelling and itching in the area where you have used the cream. This might be due to a mild allergic reaction 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 Yellow Card Scheme at: "http://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.
- The other ingredients are ceto-stearyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol 600 monostearate, castor oil, methyl hydroxybenzoate, foin coupe (fragrance), silicon antifoam and purified water What Anthisan Cream looks like and contents of the pack A smooth off-white cream contained within a collapsible aluminium tube with extended nozzle and polypropylene cap. The tube contains 25 grams of cream. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder Phoenix Labs, Suite 12, Bunkilla Plaza, Bracetown Business Park, Clonee, Co.Meath, Ireland. Tel: +353-1-5742410 email: [email protected] Manufacturer Sanofi Winthrop Industrie 196, Rue du Maréchal Juin 45200 Amilly France This leaflet does not contain all the information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
This leaflet was last revised in June 2023
How to store it
Anthisan Cream
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton flap or tube after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month
- Do not store above 30°C Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
If you use more Anthisan Cream than you should
What Anthisan Cream contains:
If you use more Anthisan Cream than you should or it is accidentally swallowed, seek immediate medical attention particularly in young children. Tell a doctor or go to a hospital casualty department straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you or the child has taken.
- Each 1g of cream contains 20mg of the active substance, mepyramine maleate
The following effects may happen: loss of consciousness and fits (seizures). If you forget to use Anthisan Cream Do not apply a double amount of cream to make up for a forgotten application. Apply the cream as soon as you remember, then carry on as before. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Frequently asked questions about Anthisan Cream
How do I take Anthisan Cream?
Anthisan Cream comes as cream. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Anthisan Cream?
The active substance in Anthisan Cream is mepyramine maleate.
Are there equivalent medicines to Anthisan Cream?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Anthisan Bite and Sting 2% w/w Cream. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Anthisan Cream, 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 Anthisan Cream 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: mepyramine maleate
- 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
Symptomatic relief in insect stings and bites and nettle rash.
Route of Administration: Topical.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Adults, elderly and children. Anthisan Cream should be applied directly to the affected parts two or three times a day for up to three days. Early application is essential to obtain the optimum response.
4.3. Contraindications
Anthisan Cream should not be used in eczematous conditions or on extensively broken skin surfaces.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Repeated application of Anthisan Cream for periods longer than a few days is not recommended and treatment should be discontinued immediately if skin sensitisation occurs.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No significant interactions described.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
There is no evidence of the safety of mepyramine maleate in human pregnancy, but it has been widely used for many years without apparent ill consequence. Absorption of a significant amount after topical application is unlikely in the prescribed method of use, nevertheless, Anthisan Cream should not be used during pregnancy or lactation, unless considered essential.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
May theoretically be extensively absorbed through the skin when applied over large areas and cause somnolence and mild disorientation.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Skin sensitisation has been reported on rare occasions.
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 Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
A 25g tube of Anthisan Cream contains 500mg mepyramine maleate. If the product is ingested in significant amounts, this could be life-threatening in young children.
The chief symptom of overdosage is unconsciousness and there may be convulsions in the intervening periods. The stomach should be washed out. Stimuli liable to provoke convulsions should be avoided, but if this complication should occur, parenteral Diazepam should be given; sedatives which are liable to increase respiratory depression should be avoided. Other measures such as artificial respiration and oxygen may also be required and an antibiotic can be given as a prophylactic against pneumonia.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Anthisan Cream. 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.