RESORCINOL (Topical)
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.?
Category
Description
Resorcinol (re-SOR-si-nole) is used to treat acne,seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin disorders. It isalso used to treat corns, calluses, and warts.
Resorcinol works by helping to remove hard, scaly, or roughened skin.
Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription.Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may havespecial instructions on the proper use of resorcinol for your medical condition.
Resorcinol is available in the following dosage forms:
Topical- Lotion (U.S.)
- Ointment (U.S. and Canada)
Before Using This Medicine
If you are using this medicinewithout a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label.For resorcinol, the following should be considered:
Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to resorcinol. Also tell your health care professional ifyou are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy?Resorcinol may be absorbed through the mother's skin.However, topical resorcinol has not been shown to cause birth defects or otherproblems in humans.
Breast-feeding?This medicine may be absorbed through the mother'sskin. However, topical resorcinol has not been reported to cause problemsin nursing babies.
Children?Resorcinol may be absorbed through the skin and shouldnot be used on large areas of the bodies of infants and children. In addition,resorcinol should not be used on wounds, since doing so may cause a blooddisease called methemoglobinemia.
Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of resorcinol in the elderly with use in other age groups, thismedicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in olderpeople than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines?Although certain medicines should not be usedtogether at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used togethereven if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want tochange the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health careprofessional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter[OTC]) medicine.
Proper Use of This Medicine
It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Donot use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longertime than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of absorptionthrough the skin and the chance of resorcinol poisoning.
Apply enough resorcinol to cover the affected areas, and rub in gently.
Immediately after using this medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicinethat may be on them.
Keep this medicine away from the eyes. If youshould accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water.
Dosing?The dose of resorcinol will be different fordifferent patients. Follow your doctor's orders or thedirections on the label. The following information includes only theaverage doses of resorcinol. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- For lotion dosage form:
- For acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis:
- Adults and children?Use as needed.
- For ointment dosage form:
- For acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, corns, calluses,or warts:
- Adults and children?Use and dose must be determined by thedoctor.
Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it assoon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip themissed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage?To store this medicine:
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Store away from heat and direct light.
- Keep the medicine from freezing.
- Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
When using resorcinol, do not use any of the following preparationson the same affected area as this medicine, unless otherwise directedby your doctor:
- Abrasive soaps or cleansers
- Alcohol-containing preparations
- Any other topical acne preparation or preparation containing a peelingagent (for example, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or tretinoin[vitamin A acid])
- Cosmetics or soaps that dry the skin
- Medicated cosmetics
- Other topical medicine for the skin
To use any of the above preparations on the same affected area as resorcinolmay cause severe irritation of the skin.
This medicine may darken light-colored hair.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they mayneed medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:
Symptoms of resorcinol poisoning
Diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting; dizziness; drowsiness; headache (severe or continuing); nervousness or restlessness; slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, or troubledbreathing; sweating; unusualtiredness or weakness
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medicalattention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjuststo the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the following side effectcontinues or is bothersome:
Other side effects not listed abovemay also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check withyour doctor.
Revised: 07/26/1993
