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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Salactol Collodion

⚠ 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)

→ Duofilm brand

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

How to take it

SALACTOL

Flat size: 144mm x 340mm

D. Unscrew the cap of the bottle and, using the applicator attached to the inside of the cap, carefully apply a few drops of the paint to the top of the wart, verruca, corn or callus only:

  • avoid spreading onto surrounding healthy skin;
  • allow each drop to dry for a few minutes before applying the next drop. E. If the treated area is on the sole of the foot, cover it with an adhesive plaster to help prevent the virus from spreading. Elsewhere, treated areas need not be covered. F. Always replace the cap of the bottle tightly after use. G.  Repeat steps A to F every evening, after removing any plaster from the previous day. H. The length of treatment will vary depending on the size and resistance of the wart, verruca, corn or callus:
  • some may go in a relatively short time;
  • some warts and verrucas can require up to 12 weeks treatment before they disappear;
  • it is important that you do not give up on the treatment until the wart, verruca, corn or callus has disappeared (unless irritation occurs, see section 4 below);
  • if the wart, verruca, corn or callus has not disappeared after twelve weeks of treatment tell your doctor or pharmacist. If Salactol accidentally gets on to normal skin, wipe it off straight away with a tissue, and, if necessary, wash the area. If Salactol accidentally gets into the eye or is swallowed, go to a hospital Accident & Emergency department straight away. If you inhale a lot of the vapour from the product it may make you feel light-headed. If this happens, get plenty of fresh air. If you forget to use Salactol Do not worry if you occasionally forget to use this product, just carry on using it when you remember. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, Salactol can cause side effects although not everybody gets them:

  • Very rarely unacceptable discomfort or persistent irritation can occur at the treatment area. If this happens, s  top using this product and tell your doctor or pharmacist.
  • While the product is working you may feel a slight tingling sensation and / or some mild tenderness at the treated area. This is usually temporary, and in rare cases may appear as a temporary blemish on the skin.
  • If you mistakenly allow the product to spread onto and remain in contact with areas of normal skin, it may cause irritation. If this happens, apply a smaller amount, taking extra care to avoid spreading the product beyond the treatment area. • If you spill the product on your clothes, fabrics, jewellery or metal and polished surfaces it may damage them permanently. If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any other side effect not mentioned in this leaflet, please tell 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

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.

5. HOW TO STORE SALACTOL

  • Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Do not use Salactol after the expiry date shown on the bottle, or later than 3 months after opening the bottle for the first time. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
  • Do not store above 25°C.
  • Always replace the cap tightly after use.
  • Store the bottle upright to avoid spillage.
  • The product is highly flammable. Keep it away from flames or ignition sources.
  • 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.

How to store it

Salactol 6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. WHAT SALACTOL IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR •

• • •

Salactol is a collodion wart paint for treating warts, verrucas, corns and calluses.

  • Warts and verrucas are small excessive growths of skin caused by a type of virus. Warts often occur on the fingers, or on the back of the hands. You can recognise the common wart by the rough "cauliflower-like" appearance of the surface. Verrucas occur only on the sole of the foot. They can be painful, and often look like a small white ring of skin with a black dot in the centre. The virus is very infectious. This means that warts and verrucas can grow and spread, particularly if left untreated. The virus can also be transferred from one person to another.
  • Corns and calluses are hard, thick pads of skin caused by pressure and friction. They usually occur on the feet due to poorly fitting shoes. They can also occur on the hands. Salactol is suitable for use by adults, children and the elderly. The active ingredients in this product are salicylic acid and lactic acid. The active ingredients work by:
  • softening the hard skin growth, making it easier to remove with a pumice stone or emery board;
  • helping to kill the virus that causes warts and verrucas.

2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU USE SALACTOL

Do not use Salactol if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to salicylic acid, lactic acid or any of the other ingredients of Salactol listed in Section 6.

  • Do not use this product anywhere on or near your face, armpits, breasts, bottom or genital (sex) area.
  • Do not use it on birthmarks, moles, warts with hairs growing from them, or any other spots.
  • Do not use this product if you are diabetic or suffer from poor blood circulation to your hands or feet. Take special care when using this product:
  • If you are unsure whether you have a wart, verruca, corn or callus that is suitable for treatment with Salactol, ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
  • Apply Salactol carefully, to the wart, verruca, corn or callus only, by painting it on using the applicator attached to the inside of the cap:
  • take care not to apply the product to surrounding healthy skin, especially on young children's delicate skin, because this may cause irritation;
  • do not apply excessive amounts.
  • Keep the product away from your eyes, nose, and mouth, and from broken skin, cuts and grazes.
  •  Avoid spillage as this may cause damage to you, your clothing and your possessions (see Section 4).
  • This product is volatile and highly flammable. Do not use it near flames or ignition sources (e.g. burning cigarettes or anything else that might ignite it).
  • Avoid inhaling the vapour. Using other medicines This product is not known to affect, or to be affected by any other medicines. 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. You should not use Salactol Collodion during pregnancy except for short-term treatment of a small single wart, verruca, corn or callus. 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 Salactol Collodion when it is used on warts, verrucas, corns and calluses. Driving and using machinery Using this product is not known to affect your ability to drive or use machinery. Use it only on warts, verrucas, corns and calluses on sites for which it is recommended. For adults, children and the elderly: Follow these steps once every day, usually in the evening. Carry on using the product in this way until the wart, verruca, corn or callus disappears: A. Soak the affected area in warm water for 2 to 3 minutes. B. Dry the area thoroughly, using your own towel if you have a wart or verruca (this will help stop the infection spreading to other people). C.  Gently rub away any loose, hard skin from the surface of the wart, verruca, corn or callus with an emery board or a piece of pumice stone:
  • if you are treating a wart or verruca, do not let anyone else use the emery board or pumice stone after you as the infection may spread to them. continued…

Prints: Pantone 469

PP5/25/2 202872

Contents of the pack and other information

What Salactol contains: The active ingredients are salicylic acid (16.7% w/w) and lactic acid (16.7% w/w). The other ingredients are pyroxylin (contains isopropyl alcohol as a damping solvent), colophony, castor oil, industrial methylated spirit and ether. What Salactol looks like and contents of the pack This amber glass bottle contains 10 ml of collodion wart paint. The paint is colourless or pale yellow/brown. The bottle cap incorporates a specially designed applicator spatula.

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: Salactol, 00173/5006 This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Prints: Pantone 469

PP5/25/2 202872

Marketing Authorisation holder Dermal Laboratories, Hitchin, Herts, SG4 7QR. Manufacturer Aeropak, Viking Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 0NU, UK. This leaflet was last revised in July 2025.

Flat size: 144mm x 340mm

Frequently asked questions about Salactol Collodion

What is the active substance in Salactol Collodion?

The active substance in Salactol Collodion is salicylic acid, lactic acid.

Are there equivalent medicines to Salactol Collodion?

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

For the topical treatment of warts, verrucas, corns and calluses.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

For adults, children and the elderly.

Salactol should be applied once daily usually at night. It can take up to twelve (12) weeks for resistant lesions to disappear, and it is necessary to persevere with the treatment.

Soak the affected site in warm water and pat dry. Gently rub the surface of the wart, verruca, corn or callus with a pumice stone or manicure emery board to remove any hard skin. Using the applicator provided, carefully apply a few drops of Salactol to the lesion, allowing each drop to dry before applying the next one. Take care to localise the application to the affected area. Plantar warts should be covered with an adhesive plaster. Leave for 24 hours. Repeat the procedure daily, after first removing any plaster.

4.3. Contraindications

Not to be used on or near the face, intertriginous or anogenital regions or by diabetics or individuals with impaired peripheral blood circulation.

Not to be used on moles, birthmarks, hairy warts or on any other skin lesions for which Salactol is not indicated.

Not to be used in cases of sensitivity to any of the ingredients.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Keep away from the eyes and mucous membranes.

The gel should be applied carefully to the wart, verruca, corn or callus only to avoid possible irritation of surrounding normal skin.

Some mild, transient irritation may be expected, but in cases of more severe or persistent pain/irritation, the treatment should be suspended and/or discontinued. See also Section 4.8.

Extremely flammable.

Avoid spillage.

Avoid inhaling vapour.

Replace cap tightly alter use.

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

None known

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

There are no or limited amount of data from the use of Salactol Collodion during pregnancy.

Salactol Collodion should not be used during pregnancy, except for short-term treatment of a small single wart, verruca, corn or callus.

It is not known if the systemic Salactol Collodion 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.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None known.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Salactol may be irritant in certain patients, which in rare instances may appear as a temporary blemish on the skin. See also Section 4.4.

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.

4.9. Overdose

Any excessive use of Salactol could cause irritation of the skin. If this occurs, Salactol should be used more sparingly or applied less frequently.

Accidental oral ingestion should be treated immediately by gastric lavage with a 2 to 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. Fluid and electrolyte balance should be monitored and appropriate supportive measures should be provided. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and respiratoty depression.

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Salactol Collodion. 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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