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.
Freederm Gel
⚠ 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 Nicotinamide may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
How to take it
Freederm Gel 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Freederm Gel 6. Further information
continued…
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
FREEDERM GEL
- Keep it out of the sight and reach of children.
- Always replace the cap tightly after use.
- Do not store the product above 25°C.
- Do not use after the expiry date shown on the tube and carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
- 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 ABOUT FREEDERM GEL What Freederm Gel contains: The active ingredient is nicotinamide (4% w/w). The other ingredients are aluminium magnesium silicate, hypromellose, citric acid, macrogol lauryl ether, ethanol and purified water. What Freederm Gel looks like and contents of the pack
- The product is a translucent gel.
- The product is available in tubes containing 10g of gel. The Marketing Authorisation holder is Diomed Developments Ltd, Tatmore Place, Gosmore, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 7QR, UK. The Manufacturer is Aeropak, Viking Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 0NU, UK. This leaflet was last revised in October 2024. HEALTH EDUCATION INFORMATION What is acne? Acne is a skin disorder that occurs mainly on the face, back and chest. It affects a high proportion of both sexes, most commonly between the ages of 14 and 20, although it can last well into adulthood or even occur for the first time in adults. The early stages of acne often involve blackheads and whiteheads (doctors refer to these as 'comedones'). These can develop into red or inflamed pimples or spots ('papules') which often contain pus (so-called 'pustules'). In a few severe cases, groups of spots may become very inflamed and form cysts. Acne is a very common skin complaint, affecting about 70% of teenagers. Whether you have just a few spots, or a hundred, it tends to be regarded as acne. What causes acne? Acne is not caused by eating too many sweets, chocolate or fatty foods (although healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle is good
for your general health). Neither is it caused by not washing properly (although a good skin care routine is an important part of treatment). The exact cause of acne is not fully understood, but we do know that it involves the hair follicles in our skin and their associated oil-producing glands (the so-called "pilosebaceous units"). Often around the onset of puberty, hormones stimulate increased production of sebum (oil) by these glands. Although normally this sebum flows out to lubricate the skin, when too much of it is produced it can become trapped within the pilosebaceous units where it forms a dark coloured plug or 'blackhead' where the opening is wide, or a light coloured plug or 'whitehead' where the opening is narrow. Inflammatory acne begins when a common type of skin bacteria called P. acnes – which is normally harmless
- starts to break down the trapped sebum. This process releases chemicals that cause inflammation in the surrounding skin, and leads to redness and the formation of 'angry' or inflamed-looking pimples and spots. These feel sore and tender, frequently contain pus and eventually burst open onto the skin before settling down. If the inflammation is deep in the hair duct, or if the spot is squeezed too early or aggressively, the pus can rupture into the skin and cause even more inflammation, and in extreme cases can even cause scarring. Important tips when treating acne
- Take care to cleanse your skin thoroughly and regularly, but try not to clean too aggressively as this can make matters worse.
- Many acne patients find their skin becomes excessively dry. If this happens, ask your doctor or a pharmacist about suitable skin moisturisers.
- Carefully follow the instructions supplied with any medication you are using, as this will give you the best chance of clearing your condition.
- When using treatments applied to the skin, you will need to treat all the involved skin area, not just each individual spot.
- Try to avoid picking or severely squeezing your spots because this can make matters worse and lead to scarring.
- Persevere with treatment because it can take several weeks for the skin's normal repair process to work. Sticky plug
Papule/Pustule
Surface of skin
Bacteria act upon the sebum, releasing chemicals that cause inflammation
Pus collects in hair follicle
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: Freederm Gel, 00173/0187. This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
FD23/19/1a 202546
Stop using this product and tell your doctor or pharmacist if any side effect gets serious, or you notice any other side effects not mentioned in this leaflet. 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 Freederm Gel
How do I take Freederm Gel?
Freederm Gel comes as gel. 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 Freederm Gel?
The active substance in Freederm Gel is nicotinamide.
Are there equivalent medicines to Freederm Gel?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Freederm Treatment 4% w/w Gel. 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 Freederm Gel, 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 Freederm Gel 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: nicotinamide
- 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 mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Apply to the affected area twice daily after the skin has been thoroughly washed with warm water and soap. Enough gel should be used to cover the affected area.No difference in dose or dose schedule is recommended for adults, children or the elderly.Treatment should continue for as long as necessary. Depending on the severity of the condition, individual courses of treatment may take several weeks.If there is no improvement within 12 weeks, or if the condition deteriorates at any stage, patients should seek advice from a doctor or pharmacist.For cutaneous use.
4.3. Contraindications
Contraindicated in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
This product is not suitable for patients with severe acne, who should be encouraged to seek treatment advice from a doctor or pharmacist. For external use only and to be kept away from the eyes and mucous membranes, including those of the nose and mouth. If excessive dryness, irritation or peeling occurs reduce the dosage to one application per day or every other day.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
Vitamin B derivative requirements such as nicotinamide, are increased during pregnancy and infancy. Nicotinamide is excreted in breast milk. As with all medicines, care should be exercised during the first trimester of pregnancy.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8. Undesirable effects
The most frequently encountered adverse effect reported is dryness of the skin. Other less frequent adverse effects include pruritus, erythema, burning sensation and irritation. 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
Not applicable.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Freederm Gel. 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.