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.
Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution
⚠ 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 Erythromycin, Zinc acetate dihydrate 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 The active substance of Erythromycin/Zinc acetate belongs to the group of antibiotics for treatment of acne vulgaris, often referred to as pimples or spots. These medicines are used to reduce the growth of bacteria which cause acne.
What you need to know before you take it
e Erythromycin/Zinc acetate Do not use Erythromycin/Zinc acetate
- if you are allergic to erythromycin or zinc or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you are allergic to antibiotics of the macrolide group. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you if that is the case. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Erythromycin/Zinc acetate. Cross resistance may occur with other antibiotics of the macrolide group and also with lincomycin and clindamycin. Contact with the eyes or the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth should be avoided. However, if this occurs, then rinse the affected area immediately with cold or lukewarm water for several minutes.
Other medicines and Erythromycin/Zinc acetate Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other 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, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. You may use Erythromycin/Zinc acetate if you are pregnant. You may breast-feed during treatment with Erythromycin/Zinc acetate but do not use this medicine on the area of your chest. Driving and using machines It is not likely that Erythromycin/Zinc acetate affects your ability to drive or use machines.
How to take it
Erythromycin/Zinc acetate This medicine is for cutaneous use. Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Instructions for proper use Wash the affected area first before using Erythromycin/Zinc acetate. If you want to apply make-up, use the medicine first and let it dry. Erythromycin/Zinc acetate comes to you in a special bottle with a special applicator pad protected by a cap which you should remove just before use and replace firmly after each use. The pad makes it easy to apply the solution to the whole of the affected area of the skin to be treated. To use Erythromycin/Zinc acetate unscrew the protective cap, hold the bottle upside down, place the pad against the skin, and spread the solution over the whole of the affected area (including the surrounding skin). The flow of solution can be increased by pressing the pad a little more firmly against the skin. If you use the applicator properly, just the right quantity should be applied. But if you do put too much on, blot it off with some tissue, and make sure it does not run into the eyes, nose or mouth. If it does, wash well with plenty of water (see also "Warnings and precautions" under section 2. What you need to know before you use Erythromycin/Zinc acetate). Frequency of administration Usually, Erythromycin/Zinc acetate should be applied all over the affected area and the surrounding skin twice a day. Duration of treatment Successful treatment of acne may take several weeks or even months. The normal treatment time is 10 to 12 weeks. Consult your doctor if you still have acne at the end of the prescribed course of treatment.
If you use more Erythromycin/Zinc acetate than you should If you have applied too much Erythromycin/Zinc acetate, blot it off with some tissue. Swallowing the entire contents of a single pack of Erythromycin/Zinc acetate would mainly lead to symptoms associated with alcohol intake. You should contact your doctor or pharmacist if you or somebody else accidentally swallows this medicine. If you forget to use Erythromycin/Zinc acetate Try not to forget to use Erythromycin/Zinc acetate, as missing an application will slow down the healing process. If you have missed an application, use Erythromycin/Zinc acetate when you remember, but leave about three hours before you use it again. If you stop using Erythromycin/Zinc acetate If you stop using Erythromycin/Zinc acetate, the original symptoms may come back. Always contact your doctor if you want to stop using Erythromycin/Zinc acetate. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Contact a doctor immediately if you experience a serious skin reaction: a red, scaly rash with bumps under the skin and blisters (exanthematous pustulosis). The frequency of this side effect is not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Erythromycin/Zinc acetate may rarely cause allergic reactions. Symptoms may include rash, itching, swelling of the mouth, face and lips or tongue and difficulty breathing. Please contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects. Erythromycin/Zinc acetate may cause the following rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- Temporary stinging or slight redness of the skin. If you get a very painful rash or burning feeling after using Erythromycin/Zinc acetate which does not go away in a few hours, or gets worse each time you use it, stop using it and tell your doctor as soon as possible. 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 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
Erythromycin/Zinc acetate
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Erythromycin/Zinc acetate after the expiry date as stated on the label and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month. Do not use this medicine after the "Use before" date which has been put on the label by your pharmacist. The "Use before" date is 8 weeks after the pharmacist has prepared this medicine into a solution. Do not store above 25°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 protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Erythromycin/Zinc acetate contains
- The active substances are erythromycin (40 mg/ml) and zinc acetate (12 mg/ml) combined in a special way.
- The other ingredients are di-isopropyl sebacate and ethanol. What Erythromycin/Zinc acetate looks like and contents of the pack Erythromycin/Zinc acetate is made available as a solution for use on the skin (cutaneous use). The packaging contains a bottle of powder, a bottle of solvent and an applicator in a plastic holder. The contents of the bottles will be mixed together by your pharmacist to form a solution. Your pharmacist will also fit the special applicator top to the bottle containing the mixed solution. The applicator top is protected by a cap. Erythromycin/Zinc acetate is available in packs which, when made up, will contain 30 ml or 90 ml of the solution. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder: Neon Healthcare Ltd. 8 The Chase, John Tate Road, Hertford, SG13 7NN United Kingdom Manufacturer: LEO Pharma A/S Industriparken 55 DK-2750 Ballerup Denmark This leaflet was last revised in: August 2022
Frequently asked questions about Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution
How do I take Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution?
Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution comes as powder containing 40mg / 12mg. 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 Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution?
The active substance in Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution is erythromycin, zinc acetate dihydrate.
Are there equivalent medicines to Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Zineryt 40 mg + 12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution. 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 Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution, 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 Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution 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: erythromycin, zinc acetate dihydrate
- 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
Zineryt is indicated in children, adults and the elderly. It is used as topical treatment of acne vulgaris.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
For cutaneous use. Apply twice daily over the whole of the affected area for a period of 10 to 12 weeks.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s), to other macrolide antibiotics, or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
As with other macrolides, rare serious allergic reactions, including acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported after systemic administration. If an allergic reaction occurs, the drug should be discontinued and appropriate therapy should be instituted. Physicians should be aware that reappearance of the allergic symptoms may occur when symptomatic therapy is discontinued.
Cross resistance may occur with other antibiotics of the macrolide group and also with lincomycin and clindamycin. Contact with the eyes or the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth should be avoided.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No interaction studies have been performed.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Zineryt can be used during pregnancy and during breast-feeding (but it should not be used on the chest).
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
System Organ Class
Rare
(≥ 1/10,000 to<1/1000)
Very rare
(<1/10,000) Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)
Not known
(cannot be estimated from the available data)
Immune system disorders
Hypersensitivity
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritus
Erythema
Skin irritation
Skin burning sensation
Dry skin
Skin exfoliation
Acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)*
*Reported after systemic administration
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
It is not expected that overdosage would occur in normal use. Patients showing idiosyncratic hypersensitivity should wash the treated area with copious water and simple soap.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Erythromycin/Zinc acetate 40 mg/12 mg powder and solvent for cutaneous solution. 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.