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.
Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo
⚠ 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 Benzalkonium chloride may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
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 Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
The Marketing Authorisation Holder is Dermal Laboratories, Tatmore Place, Gosmore, Hitchin, Herts, SG4 7QR, UK. The Manufacturer is Aeropak, Viking Road, Great Yarmouth, NR31 0NU, UK. This leaflet was last revised in December 2023. 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: Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo, 00173/0198. This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
TP13/23/1a 202528
If there is no improvement after 4 weeks, or if your scalp condition seems to look or feel worse, discontinue use of the product and consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Contents of the pack and other information
For adults, the elderly and children:
- Wet the hair thoroughly. a sufficient amount of shampoo
- Apply to produce a rich lather (approximately a quantity the size of a fifty pence piece for short hair, adjusting up depending on length/ thickness of hair).
- With the tips of the fingers, massage in thoroughly.
- Remove as much lather as possible with the hands (this is important as it will take the scales with it).
- Rinse out.
- If necessary, repeat the steps above.
- Rinse the hair thoroughly under running water, then dry as normal.
5. HOW TO STORE DERMAX THERAPEUTIC SHAMPOO
- Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
- Always replace the cap tightly after use.
- Keep the bottle in the outer carton.
- Do not store the product above 25°C.
- Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the bottle and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- Do not throw away any unused medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away any of medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
If the shampoo gets into the eyes The product, or the lather, may cause irritation if it gets into the eyes. If it gets into the eyes, rinse with plenty of water. If rinsing one eye, take care to avoid washing product into the other eye. If irritation persists, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION What Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo contains: The active ingredient is benzalkonium chloride (0.5% w/w). The other ingredients are coconut oil, dilute hydrochloric acid, lauryldimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolysed collagen (contains phenoxyethanol and potassium sorbate), macrogol lauryl ether (4), sodium benzoate, sodium chloride, sodium lauryl ether sulfate (contains sodium hydroxide as a pH adjuster) and purified water.
If you use more Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo than you should Do not worry if you use too much shampoo, simply rinse hair under running water and continue as instructed above.
If you forget to use Dermax Therapeutic What Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo looks Shampoo like and contents of the pack Do not worry if you occasionally forget to use this
- The product is a clear, colourless to pale product, just carry on using it when you remember. yellow viscous shampoo.
- It is available in white plastic bottles If you have any further questions on the use of containing 250ml fitted with dispensing caps. this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or (25ml bottles are also available to medical nurse. and allied professionals.)
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS Like all medicines, Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. This product has been specially designed for use on dry or problem skin, but in some rare cases it can cause irritant or allergic skin reactions on extremely sensitive skin. These rare effects tend to occur during or soon after the first few uses. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible
Frequently asked questions about Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo
What is the active substance in Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo?
The active substance in Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo is benzalkonium chloride.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo, 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 Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo 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: benzalkonium chloride
- 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 topical treatment of pityriasis capitis and other seborrhoeic scalp conditions, where there is scaling and dandruff.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
For adults, children and the elderly.
Use as a shampoo, daily if necessary, reducing the frequency of use to once or twice a week as the condition improves. Thereafter, occasional use may be necessary. Wet the hair. Apply a sufficient quantity of the shampoo to the scalp to produce a rich lather (approximately a quantity the size of a fifty pence piece for short hair, adjusting up depending on length/thickness of hair) and, with the tips of the fingers, rub in thoroughly. Rinse. If necessary, repeat the application and massage to produce a rich lather. Remove as much lather as possible with the hands, before rinsing thoroughly under running water.
4.3. Contraindications
Not to be used in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Keep away from the eyes.
In case of irritation, or if there is no improvement after 4 weeks, or the scalp condition seems to look or feel worse, discontinue treatment and tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
This medicine contains 5mg of sodium benzoate (E 211) per gram of shampoo. Sodium benzoate (E 211) may cause local irritation. Sodium benzoate may increase jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) in newborn babies (up to 4 weeks old).
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
No special precautions.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8. Undesirable effects
None known.
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 or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
There are no known toxic effects resulting from excessive use of the shampoo.
🇷🇴 Known in Romania as
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
- PHARMATEX 12 mg/g over the counterBENZALKONII CHLORIDUM · skin / topical
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
🇵🇱 Known in Poland as
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
- SeptoleteBenzalkonii chloridum · taken by mouth
- Septolete DBenzalkonii chloridum · taken by mouth
Same active substance. 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 Dermax Therapeutic Shampoo. 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.