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.

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Duofilm

⚠ 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 Salicylic acid, Lactic acid may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Salicylic acid, Lactic acid

Equivalent medicines (same active substance, strength and form)

Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for The name of your medicine is Duofilm. It contains two medicines called salicylic acid and lactic acid. It works by softening the skin of a wart, causing it to peel off. Duofilm is used to treat warts.

  • A wart is an infection in the top layers of the skin. It is caused by a virus.
  • Warts can be spread when the virus touches damaged skin.
  • It is more likely to spread in places which are warm and moist. This is why one of the most common places to catch warts is swimming pools.
  • It can take from a few weeks to several months for the wart to appear.

2. Before you use Duofilm Do not use Duofilm if:

  • you are allergic to the salicylic acid, lactic acid or any of the other ingredients of Duofilm (listed in Section 6).
  • you have warts on your face, around your back passage or genitals, moles, birthmarks, warts with hair growing from them or other sensitive areas.
  • the area of skin is irritated, reddened or infected. Do not use on open wounds.
  • the child being treated is under 2 years of age. Do not use Duofilm if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start using Duofilm. Take special care with Duofilm
  • Do not inhale the vapour.
  • Do not use with other medicines on the affected area.
  • Duofilm is not recommended for patients who suffer from diabetes, poor blood circulation or nerve damage to the hands and feet.
  • Duofilm contains colophony, which may cause allergic skin reactions (contact dermatitis).
  • Avoid contact with eyes, other sensitive areas and healthy skin. In case of accidental contact with the eyes or other sensitive areas, rinse well with water. If you apply Duofilm to healthy skin, you may experience blistering. Stop use and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Duofilm is not recommended to be used during or immediately after a viral illness. Do not use in children or teenagers during or after chicken pox, influenza or other viral infections.
  • Duofilm is not recommended to be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
  • If used during breast-feeding, take care to wash off all traces to avoid accidental swallowing by the child.

3. How to use Duofilm If this medicine is from your doctor or pharmacist, do exactly as they have told you. Otherwise, follow the instructions below. If you do not understand the instructions, or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Using Duofilm

  • Use Duofilm once a day, before bedtime, using the brush in the pack.
  • It may take 4 to 8 weeks for visible improvement.
  • Keep using Duofilm either until the wart has been treated for 12 weeks or until you can see the lines of your skin again (called 'ridge lines').
  • Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if warts last longer than 12 weeks or if skin irritation develops.
  • Avoid smoking or being near an open flame whilst using Duofilm, or immediately after use.

How to take it

Duofilm 1. Remove any plasters. 2. Soak the warts in hot water for five minutes. 3. Dry the area with your own towel. 4. Rub the top of the warts carefully with a pumice stone, nail file, coarse washcloth or emery board. 5. Then put on enough Duofilm to cover the warts. Try not to get it on the normal skin around the warts. 6. Let the Duofilm dry thoroughly. 7. Cover the wart with a plaster if possible to help the ingredients get to work. To stop warts spreading to others Remember that warts can spread to others.

  • Only use your own towel.
  • If your warts are on the bottom of your feet, do not walk around bare foot. Children Duofilm is not recommended for use in children under 2 years of age. Children under 12 years should only use the medicine with help from an adult. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Duofilm may cause allergic skin reactions (allergic dermatitis), rash, dryness, scaling, irritation, itching, swelling, burning sensation, redness, excessive skin growth, discolouration of the skin, blistering, pain and hypersensitivity at the site of application.

If you accidentally apply Duofilm to healthy skin you may experience blistering and skin exfoliation. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible

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. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to store it

Duofilm

  • Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Do not use Duofilm after the expiry date stated on the bottle and carton.
  • Do not store above 25°C.
  • Duofilm is highly flammable, keep it away from naked flames.
  • 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. 6. Further information What Duofilm contains
  • The active substances are lactic acid 15.0% w/w and salicylic acid 16.7% w/w.
  • The other ingredient is flexible collodion (contains pyroxylin, colophony, virgin castor oil, ethanol and ether). What Duofilm looks like and the contents of the pack Duofilm is supplied in bottles of 15ml. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder: Stiefel, 980 Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GS, U.K. Manufacturer: Stiefel Laboratories (Ireland) Ltd. Finisklin Business Park, Sligo, Ireland or Delpharm Bladel B.V. Industrieweg 1, 5531 AD BLADEL,The Netherlands PL 44673/0035 Date of preparation April 2020

NPA001081

Frequently asked questions about Duofilm

What is the active substance in Duofilm?

The active substance in Duofilm is salicylic acid, lactic acid.

Are there equivalent medicines to Duofilm?

Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Salactol Collodion. 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 Duofilm, 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 Duofilm 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.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Salicylic acid (21 medicines), Salicylic acid, lactic acid (2 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

Duofilm is indicated for the treatment of warts.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Adults, the elderly and children aged 2 years and over.Apply daily to the affected areas only.Children:Children under the age of 12 years should be treated under supervision.Treatment of infants under the age of 2 years is not recommended.Duofilm should be applied to the wart once daily preferably at bedtime. Procedure for application: 1. The wart should be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes and dried thoroughly with a clean towel.2. The surface of the wart should be rubbed with a nail file, pumice stone, emery board or coarse washcloth, with care taken not to cause bleeding.3. A thin layer of Duofilm should be applied directly to the wart. Care should be taken to avoid the healthy surrounding skin.4. The solution should be allowed to dry thoroughly. The wart should be covered with a plaster (dressing) if it is large or if it is on the foot to help penetration of ingredients.It is recommended that treatment continues until whichever of the following occurs first:• Warts have been treated for 12 weeks• The wart is completely cleared and the normal ridgelines of the skin have been restored.For warts, clinically visible improvement should occur in 1-2 weeks, but the maximum effect may be expected after 4-8 weeks. If warts persist beyond 12 weeks of treatment, the patient should be advised to consult their pharmacist or doctor.Consider alternative treatments if warts cover a large area of the body (more than 5 cm2) (see Warnings and Precautions).Patients should be advised to consult a pharmacist or doctor if skin irritation develops.Due to the flammable nature of Duofilm, patients should avoid smoking or being near an open flame during application and immediately after use.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.Do not use on open wounds, irritated or reddened skin, or any area that is infected.Duofilm should not be used on the face, anogenital regions, moles, birthmarks, mucous membranes, warts with hair growing from them, red edges or an unusual colour. Avoid applying to normal skin.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Duofilm contains colophony which may cause allergic contact dermatitis.Duofilm may cause eye irritation. Avoid contact with eyes and other mucous membranes. In case of accidental contact with the eyes or other mucous membranes, flush with water for 15 minutes.Avoid exposure to healthy skin (see Adverse Reactions). Duofilm may cause skin irritation. If undue skin irritation develops treatment should be discontinued.Consider alternative treatments if warts cover a large area of the body (more than 5 cm2) due to the potential risk of salicylate toxicity.Duofilm is not recommended in patients with diabetes, circulatory problems or peripheral neuropathy except under the supervision of a doctor.Oral salicylates taken during or immediately after a viral illness have been associated with Reye's syndrome and hence there is a theoretical risk with topical salicylates.Therefore, use is not advised in children or teenagers during or immediately after chickenpox, influenza, or other viral infections.It has been reported that salicylates are excreted via breastmilk (see Pregnancy and Lactation).Patients should be advised not to inhale the vapour.Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Topical Duofilm may increase the absorption of other topically applied medicines. Therefore, concomitant use of Duofilm and other topical medicines on the treated area should be avoided. As systemic exposure of topically applied Duofilm is low, interaction with systemically administered medicines is not anticipated.

4.6. Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

The safety of Duofilm during human pregnancy has not been established. Studies in animals given salicylic acid orally demonstrated embryo toxicity at high doses (see Non-Clinical Information).Duofilm is not recommended during pregnancy. Lactation

Salicylates are excreted in human milk. Duofilm is not recommended during lactation.If used or administered during lactation, care should be taken to avoid contact with the breast area in order to avoid accidental ingestion by the infant.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are listed below by MedDRA system organ class and by frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥ 1/10), common (≥ 1/100 and <1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 and <1/100), rare (≥ 1/10,000 and <1/1,000) and very rare (<1/10,000), including isolated reports. Clinical Trial Data Immune system disorders

Common: Rash

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Very common: Application site reaction, pruritus, burning sensation, erythema, scaling, dryness

Common: Skin hypertrophy

Post Marketing Data Immune system disorders

Rare: Application site hypersensitivity including inflammation

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rare: Application site pain and irritation Application site discoloration/skin discoloration Exposure to healthy skin can lead to application site blistering and skin exfoliation (see Warnings and Precautions). Allergic dermatitis

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

Symptoms and Signs

In the event of accidental oral ingestion symptoms of salicylate toxicity may occur.The risk of developing symptoms of salicylate poisoning or salicylism is increased if Duofilm is used excessively or if it is used for prolonged periods of time. Therefore, duration of use and recommended frequency compliance is very important. Treatment

Management should be as clinically indicated.

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Duofilm. 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.

Medicines containing Salicylic acid, Lactic acid

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