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.
Occlusal
⚠ 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 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 Occlusal is used to treat and remove raised warts (usually found on the hands, elbows or knees) and verrucas (warts on the feet). Occlusal is a special solution which can be easily applied to the wart, dries quickly, needs no plasters and if used properly should cause minimal irritation. Warts, or verrucas as they are often called, are found most commonly on the hands, feet and knees. They are commonest amongst children of school age. Warts are caused by a virus which gets into the upper layers of the skin. The body then reacts to the virus, which leads to the formation of the wart or verruca. Warts are most frequently transmitted by contact, e.g. swimming pools and communal changing rooms are often associated with infection. Warts can occur singly or in groups and can be transferred from one part of the body to another, e.g. from one foot to the other. Occlusal contains a high concentration of salicylic acid which when used regularly removes the dead cells from the outer layer of the skin and steadily reduces the size of the wart.
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What you need to know before you take it
e Occlusal Do not use Occlusal:
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to salicylic acid or any of the other ingredients of Occlusal (see section 6 Further information)
- if you have diabetes
- if you have poor blood circulation
- if the wart or skin surrounding it is inflamed or broken
- on moles, birthmarks, unusual warts with hairgrowth
- on your face
- on warts in the anal or genital region. Take special care with Occlusal Occlusal is flammable – keep it away from flames and fire. Occlusal is for external use only and should only be applied to warts. Do not use on broken or damaged skin such as cuts or grazes. Try not to get Occlusal on the normal skin around the wart. You should apply Occlusal to the centre of the wart therefore avoiding the surrounding healthy skin. Do not allow Occlusal to come into contact with mucous membranes (e.g. your mouth, nose and other body openings) or your eyes. If Occlusal gets into any of these areas, flush immediately with water for 15 minutes. Using other medicines When used according to the instructions, Occlusal is not known to interfere with any other medicines. However, you should not use any other treatments on your warts or verrucas at the same time as using Occlusal. Pregnancy and breast-feeding 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. Pregnancy You should not use Occlusal during pregnancy except for short-term treatment of a small single wart. Oral forms (e.g. tablets) of this product class can cause adverse effects in your unborn baby. It is not known if the same risks apply to Occlusal when it is used on warts.
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Breast-feeding The safe use of Occlusal during breast-feeding has not been established. Therefore, Occlusal should be used with caution or following the advice of your doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
How to take it
Occlusal Apply Occlusal once daily as follows:
Before you apply Occlusal, soak affected areas in warm water for 5 minutes.
Dry the affected area thoroughly using a towel. The towel should not be used by anyone else otherwise the wart could be passed to them.
Gently remove any loose tissue from the wart surface by rubbing with a brush, emery board, pumice or abrasive sponge. Be careful not to damage the surrounding healthy skin.
Use the applicator brush supplied in the cap to apply Occlusal to the wart. Do not get any on the surrounding healthy skin. Allow Occlusal to dry completely and then apply a second coat. You do not need to cover the wart with a plaster or bandage.
You should notice an improvement within 1-2 weeks but for maximum effect, continue treatment for 4-6 weeks. Do not allow the solution to drip onto the neck of the bottle or you may find it difficult to open the bottle next time.
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What to do if you use more Occlusal than you should If you accidentally swallow Occlusal, use too much of it or use it for long periods of time, the body could absorb too much salicylic acid. This could cause ringing in the ears, feeling or being sick. If this occurs, or you notice any other symptoms, stop using Occlusal and consult your doctor. If you forget to use Occlusal If you forget to use Occlusal on any occasion, do not worry, just continue to use daily as before. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects Do not worry. Like all medicines, Occlusal can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. If any of the following symptoms occur you should stop using Occlusal and contact your doctor or pharmacist:
- ringing in the ears
- feeling or being sick. Other side effects include:
- redness, rash or itching affecting the normal skin around the wart. If this occurs, stop using Occlusal for a few days until the irritation goes away. When you re-start treatment, be careful to apply the solution only to the wart itself. If Occlusal causes a lot of skin irritation, stop using it and contact your doctor or pharmacist. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report
Possible side effects
directly via: UK: Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. IE: HPRA Pharmacovigilance Website: www.hpra.ie By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
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How to store it
Occlusal Occlusal is flammable – keep away from fire or flame. Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use Occlusal after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month after EXP. Do not store Occlusal above 25oC. Keep bottle tightly closed when not in use and avoid dripping the solution on to the thread of the bottle-neck which can make opening difficult. Do not use Occlusal if you notice a change in the colour of the solution. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist on how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What is in Occlusal? The active ingredient in this medicine is salicylic acid 26% w/w. The other ingredients are polyvinyl butyral, dibutyl phthalate, isopropyl alcohol, butyl acetate and acrylates copolymer. What Occlusal looks like and contents of the pack Occlusal is a colourless to pale yellow solution with a characteristic smell of nail varnish. Occlusal is available in glass bottles of 10 millilitres with an applicator brush in the cap. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder (UK) Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Avonbridge House, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB, UK. Marketing Authorisation Holder (IE) Alliance Pharma (Ireland) Ltd, United Drug House, Magna Drive, Dublin, D24 X0CT, Ireland Manufacturer: Pharmasol Ltd, North Way, Andover, Hants, SP10 5AZ, UK. The information in this leaflet applies only to Occlusal. If you have any questions or you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or a pharmacist. This leaflet was last revised in October 2024.
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Occlusal is a registered trademark in the UK and a trademark in Ireland of Alliance Pharmaceuticals limited. Alliance and associated devices are registered trademarks of Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited. © Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd 2024.
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Frequently asked questions about Occlusal
What is the active substance in Occlusal?
The active substance in Occlusal is salicylic acid.
Are there equivalent medicines to Occlusal?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Boots Corn Removal Plasters. 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 Occlusal, 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 Occlusal 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: salicylic acid
- 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
Occlusal is indicated for the treatment and removal of common and plantar warts (verrucae).
4.2. Posology and method of administration
For topical application.
Prior to application soak wart in warm water for five minutes. Remove loose tissue with a brush, emery board, pumice or abrasive sponge, being careful to avoid causing pin-point bleeding or abrading the surrounding healthy skin. Dry thoroughly with a towel not used by others to avoid contagion. Carefully apply Occlusal twice to the wart using the brush applicator allowing the first application to dry before applying the second. Thereafter repeat treatment once daily or as directed by physician. Do not apply to surrounding healthy skin. Clinically visible improvement should occur in one to two weeks but maximum effect may be expected after four to six weeks.
There are no differences in dosage for children, adults or the elderly.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to salicylic acid or to any of the excipients.
Occlusal should not be used by diabetics or patients with impaired blood circulation. Do not use if the wart or surrounding skin is inflamed or broken. Do not use on moles, birthmarks, unusual warts with hair growth, on facial warts, or in the anal or perineal region.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Occlusal is for external use only. Do not permit contact with eyes or mucous membranes. If contact occurs flush with water for 15 minutes. Do not allow contact with normal skin around wart. Avoid using on areas of broken or damaged skin. Discontinue treatment if excessive irritation occurs. Excessive prolonged use of topical salicylic acid may result in symptoms of salicylism and must therefore be avoided.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
There are no known interactions when used as indicated. However, topical salicylic acid may increase the absorption of other topically applied medicines. Concomitant use of Occlusal and other topical medicines on the treated wart should therefore be avoided.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of Occlusal during pregnancy.
Occlusal should not be used during pregnancy, except for short-term treatment of a small single wart.
It is not known if the systemic Occlusal exposure reached after topical administration can be harmful to an embryo/fetus.
During the third trimester of pregnancy, systemic use of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors may induce cardiopulmonary and renal toxicity in the fetus. At the end of the pregnancy prolonged bleeding time in both mother and child may occur, and labour can be delayed.
Breast-feeding
Whilst there are no known contra-indications to use of Occlusal during lactation, the safety has not been established. Occlusal should therefore be used with caution or following professional advice.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Undesirable effects are listed by MedDRA System Organ Classes.
Assessment of undesirable effects is based on the following frequency groupings:
Very common: ≥1/10
Common: ≥1/100 to <1/10
Uncommon: ≥1/1,000 to <1/100
Rare: ≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000
Very rare: <1/10,000
Not known: cannot be estimated from the available data
System Organ Class
Undesirable Effect
Frequency
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
skin irritation*
Not known
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
salicylism (including tinnitus)
Not known
* A localised irritant reaction may occur if Occlusal is applied to normal skin surrounding the wart. This may normally be controlled by temporarily discontinuing the use of Occlusal and by being careful to apply the solution only to the wart itself when treatment is resumed.
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, Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Symptoms of systemic salicylate poisoning have been reported after the application of salicylic acid to large areas of skin and for prolonged periods. Salicylism may also occur in the unlikely event of large quantities being ingested. Salicylism is unlikely to occur if Occlusal is used as indicated.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Occlusal. 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.