Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
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, Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, Isopropyl myristate, Liquid paraffin may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
FOR
2. BEFORE YOU USE DERMOL WASH
Do not use Dermol Wash if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to isopropyl myristate, liquid paraffin, benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine dihydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of Dermol Wash listed in Section 6. Warnings and precautions As with any product, severe generalised allergic reactions (see Section 4) are possible. Very rare reports of such reactions in susceptible individuals, leading to a drop in blood pressure and even to unconsciousness, have been associated with products containing chlorhexidine. You must not use Dermol Wash if you have had problems with chlorhexidine-containing products in the past. Do not smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it. Take care when using this product:
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DERMOL WASH
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS Like all medicines, Dermol Wash can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you experience any of the following reactions stop using Dermol Wash and get urgent medical help: swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat; a sudden uncharacteristic red itchy skin rash (hives) away from the site of application; wheezing or breathing difficulty; feeling faint or dizzy; a strange metallic taste in the mouth; or collapse. You may be having a serious allergic reaction. This product has been specially designed for use on dry or problem skin areas anywhere on the body. Rarely, Dermol Wash can cause skin reactions on treated areas (involving redness, irritation and/or itching). These very rare skin reactions may become more significant where associated with excessive use as a leave-on application in areas of folded skin such as the groin or in the nappy area. Stop using this product and tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist:
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 provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
DERMOL WASH
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
What Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion contains: The active ingredients in this product are isopropyl myristate (2.5% w/w), liquid paraffin (2.5% w/w), benzalkonium chloride (0.1% w/w) and chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (0.1% w/w). The other ingredients are cetostearyl alcohol, macrogol cetostearyl ether (cetomacrogol 1000), phenoxyethanol and purified water. What Dermol Wash looks like and contents of the pack
7. GENERAL ADVICE ON LOOKING AFTER DRY SKIN CONDITIONS
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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: Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion, 00173/0407. This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
The active substance in Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion is benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, isopropyl myristate, liquid paraffin.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Dermol 200 Shower Emollient, Dermol 500 Lotion. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
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.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
An antimicrobial emollient for the management of dry and pruritic skin conditions, especially eczema and dermatitis. Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion is suitable for direct application and for use as a soap substitute.
For adults, children and the elderly. For cutaneous use only.
For use as a soap substitute
Use as a cleanser at the sink or to wash with in the bath or shower, instead of ordinary soap or shower gel. Pat the skin dry using a soft towel (avoid rubbing as this can irritate the skin). The product may also be used in a similar way for frequent hand washing.
For application to the skin (e.g. after washing)
Apply to the affected areas as required.
Do not use in cases of known sensitivity (especially generalised allergic reaction) to any of the ingredients (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Avoid contact with the eyes.
Take care to avoid slipping in the shower or bath, when using as a soap substitute.
Local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis) to any of the ingredients are rare but possible in sensitive people.
There are literature reports of chlorhexidine compounds inducing hypersensitivity, including anaphylactic shock. The prevalence of this is not known, but is likely to be very rare. Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion should not be administered to anyone with a possible history of allergic reaction to a chlorhexidine compound (see sections 4.3 and 4.8).
Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
Instruct patients not to smoke or go near naked flames - risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.
None known.
Use during pregnancy and lactation is not expected to be associated with harmful effects to the mother as cutaneous absorption of benzalkonium chloride is minimal. When breast-feeding, if use on the nipples is necessary, apply sparingly and after feeds. Gently wipe away any remaining product before feeding your baby.
None known.
Although the product has been specially formulated for use on dry or problem skin, in the unlikely event of a reaction discontinue treatment.
Local skin reactions
These reactions are very rare (<1/10,000, based on spontaneous reporting) and may be irritant or allergic in nature. Reactions have been observed occasionally when used excessively as a leave-on application in areas of folded skin such as the anogenital area.
Serious generalised allergic reactions
Very rarely, hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reaction (see sections 4.3 and 4.4) is possible (based on literature for chlorhexidine-containing products).
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.
Not applicable.
Ask anything about Dermol Wash Cutaneous Emulsion. 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.
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