SALICYLICACID (Topical)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Antinea
• Buf-Puf Acne Cleansing Bar with Vitamin E
• Calicylic Creme
• Clearasil Clearstick Maximum Strength Topical Solution
• Clearasil Clearstick Regular Strength Topical Solution
• Clearasil Double Textured Pads Maximum Strength
• Clearasil Double Textured Pads Regular Strength
• Clearasil Medicated Deep Cleanser Topical Solution
• Clear Away
• Clear by Design Medicated Cleansing Pads
• Compound W Gel
• Compound W Liquid
• Duofilm
• Duoplant Topical Solution
• Freezone
• Gordofilm
• Hydrisalic
• Ionax Astringent Skin Cleanser Topical Solution
• Ionil Plus Shampoo
• Ionil Shampoo
• Keralyt
• Keratex Gel
• Lactisol
• Listerex Golden Scrub Lotion
• Listerex Herbal Scrub Lotion
• Mediplast
• Noxzema Anti-Acne Gel
• Noxzema Anti-Acne Pads Maximum Strength
• Noxzema Anti-Acne Pads Regular Strength
• Occlusal-HP Topical Solution
• Occlusal Topical Solution
• Off-Ezy Topical Solution Corn & Callus Remover Kit
• Off-Ezy Topical Solution Wart Removal Kit
• Oxy Clean Medicated Cleanser
• Oxy Clean Medicated Pads Maximum Strength
• Oxy Clean Medicated Pads Regular Strength
• Oxy Clean Medicated Pads Sensitive Skin
• Oxy Night Watch Maximum Strength Lotion
• Oxy Night Watch Sensitive Skin Lotion
• Paplex
• Paplex Ultra
• Propa pH Medicated Acne Cream Maximum Strength
• Propa pH Medicated Cleansing Pads Maximum Strength
• Propa pH Medicated Cleansing Pads Sensitive Skin
• Propa pH Perfectly Clear Skin Cleanser Topical Solution Normal/CombinationSkin
• Propa pH Perfectly Clear Skin Cleanser Topical Solution Oily Skin
• Propa pH Perfectly Clear Skin Cleanser Topical Solution SensitiveSkin Formula
• P&S
• Salac
• Salacid
• Sal-Acid Plaster
• Salactic Film Topical Solution
• Sal-Clens Plus Shampoo
• Sal-Clens Shampoo
• Saligel
• Salex
• Salonil
• Sal-Plant Gel Topical Solution
• Sebucare
• Stri-Dex Dual Textured Pads Maximum Strength
• Stri-Dex Dual Textured Pads Regular Strength
• Stri-Dex Dual Textured Pads Sensitive Skin
• Stri-Dex Maximum Strength Pads
• Stri-Dex Regular Strength Pads
• Stri-Dex Super Scrub Pads
• Trans-Plantar
• Trans-Ver-Sal
• Verukan-HP Topical Solution
• Verukan Topical Solution
• Viranol
• Viranol Ultra
• Wart-Off Topical Solution
• X-Seb

In Canada?

• Compound W Gel
• Compound W Liquid
• Cuplex Gel
• Occlusal-HP Topical Solution
• Occlusal Topical Solution
• Oxy Clean Extra Strength Medicated Pads
• Oxy Clean Extra Strength Cleanser Topical Solution
• Oxy Clean Medicated Soap
• Oxy Clean Regular Strength Medicated Cleanser Topical Solution
• Oxy Clean Regular Strength Medicated Pads
• Oxy Clean Sensitive Skin Cleanser Topical Solution
• Oxy Clean Sensitive Skin Pads
• Oxy Night Watch Night Time Acne Medication Extra Strength Lotion
• Oxy Night Watch Night Time Acne Medication Regular Strength Lotion
• Oxy Sensitive Skin Vanishing Formula Lotion
• Salac
• Tersac Cleansing Gel
• Trans-Ver-Sal

Generic name product may be available in the U.S.

Category

• Antiacne agent, topical
• Antipsoriatic, topical
• Antiseborrheic
• Caustic
• Keratolytic, topical

Description

Salicylicacid (sal-i-SILL-ik AS-id)is used to treat many skin disorders, such as acne, dandruff, psoriasis, seborrheicdermatitis of the skin and scalp, calluses, corns, common warts, and plantarwarts, depending on the dosage form and strength of the preparation.

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 salicylic acid for your medicalcondition.

Salicylic acid is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Cream (U.S.)
• Gel (U.S. and Canada)
• Lotion (U.S. and Canada)
• Ointment (U.S.)
• Pads (U.S. and Canada)
• Plaster (U.S. and Canada)
• Shampoo (U.S.)
• Soap (U.S. and Canada)
• Topical solution (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 salicylic acid, the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to salicylic acid. Also tell your health care professionalif you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy?This medicine may be absorbed through the mother'sskin. Salicylic acid has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studiesin animals have shown that salicylic acid causes birth defects when givenorally in doses about 6 times the highest dose recommended for topical usein humans. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if youare pregnant or if you may become pregnant, especially if you will be usingsalicylic acid on large areas of your body.

Breast-feeding?Salicylic acid may be absorbed through the mother'sskin. However, topical salicylic acid has not been reported to cause problemsin nursing babies. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of themedicine with your doctor.

Children?Young children may be at increased risk of unwantedeffects because of increased absorption of salicylic acid through the skin.Also, young children may be more likely to get skin irritation from salicylicacid. Salicylic acid should not be applied to large areas of the body, usedfor long periods of time, or used under occlusive dressing (air-tight covering,such as kitchen plastic wrap) in infants and children. Salicylic acid shouldnot be used in children younger than 2 years of age.

Older adults?Elderly people are more likely to have age-relatedblood vessel disease. This may increase the chance of problems during treatmentwith this medicine.

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.

Other medical problems?The presence of other medicalproblems may affect the use of salicylic acid, especially if you are usinga 5% or stronger salicylic acid preparation. Make sure you tell your doctorif you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood vessel disease

• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)?Use of this medicine maycause severe redness or ulceration, especially on the hands or feet

• Inflammation, irritation, or infection of the skin?Use of thismedicine may cause severe irritation if applied to inflamed, irritated, orinfected area of the skin

• Influenza (flu) or
• Varicella (chicken pox)?This medicine should not be used inchildren and teenagers with the flu or chicken pox. There is a risk of Reye'ssyndrome.

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease?Using this medicine for a long time over largeareas could result in unwanted effects

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 recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the skin and the chanceof salicylic acid poisoning.

If your doctor has ordered an occlusive dressing (airtight covering, suchas kitchen plastic wrap) to be applied over this medicine, make sure you knowhow to apply it. Since an occlusive dressing will increase the amount of medicineabsorbed through your skin and the possibility of salicylic acid poisoning,use it only as directed. If you have any questions about this, check withyour doctor.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes and other mucousmembranes, such as the mouth and inside of the nose. If you shouldaccidentally get some in your eyes or on other mucous membranes, immediatelyflush them with water for 15 minutes.

To use the cream, lotion, or ointment formof salicylic acid:

• Apply enough medicine to cover the affected area, and rub in gently.

To use the gel form of salicylic acid:

• Before using salicylic acid gel, apply wet packs to the affectedareas for at least 5 minutes. If you have any questions about this, checkwith your health care professional.
• Apply enough gel to cover the affected areas, and rub in gently.

To use the pad form of salicylic acid:

• Wipe the pad over the affected areas.
• Do not rinse off medicine after treatment.

To use the plaster form of salicylic acid forwarts, corns, or calluses:

• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read them carefullybefore using.
• Do not use this medicine on irritated skin oron any area that is infected or reddened. Also, do not use this medicine ifyou are a diabetic or if you have poor blood circulation.
• Do not use this medicine on warts with hair growingfrom them or on warts on the face, in or on the genital (sex) organs, or insidethe nose or mouth. Also do not use on moles or birthmarks. To do somay cause severe irritation.
• Wash the area to be treated and dry thoroughly. Warts may be soakedin warm water for 5 minutes before drying.
• Cut the plaster to fit the wart, corn, or callus and apply.
• For corns and calluses:
  • Repeat every 48 hours as needed for up to 14 days, or as directedby your doctor, until the corn or callus is removed.
  • Corns or calluses may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes to helpin their removal.
• For warts:
  • Depending on the product, either:
    • Apply plaster and repeat every 48 hours as needed, or
      • Apply plaster at bedtime, leave in place for at least 8 hours, removeplaster in the morning, and repeat every 24 hours as needed.
  • Repeat for up to 12 weeks as needed, or as directed by your doctor,until wart is removed.
• If discomfort gets worse during treatment or continues after treatment,or if the wart spreads, check with your doctor.

To use the shampoo form of salicylic acid:

• Before applying this medicine, wet the hair and scalp with lukewarmwater. Apply enough medicine to work up a lather and rub well into the scalpfor 2 or 3 minutes, then rinse. Apply the medicine again and rinse thoroughly.

To use the soap form of salicylic acid:

• Work up a lather with the soap, using hot water, and scrub the entireaffected area with a washcloth or facial sponge or mitt.
• If you are to use this soap in a foot bath, work up rich suds inhot water and soak the feet for 10 to 15 minutes. Then pat dry without rinsing.

To use the topical solution form of salicylicacid for acne:

• Wet a cotton ball or pad with the topical solution and wipe the affectedareas.
• Do not rinse off medicine after treatment.

To use the topical solution form of salicylicacid for warts, corns, or calluses:

• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read them carefullybefore using.
• This medicine is flammable. Do not use it nearheat or open flame or while smoking.
• Do not use this medicine on irritated skin oron any area that is infected or reddened. Also, do not use this medicine ifyou are a diabetic or if you have poor blood circulation.
• Do not use this medicine on warts with hair growingfrom them or on warts on the face, in or on the genital (sex) organs, or insidethe nose or mouth. Also do not use on moles or birthmarks. To do somay cause severe irritation.
• Avoid breathing in the vapors from the medicine.
• Wash the area to be treated and dry thoroughly. Warts may be soakedin warm water for 5 minutes before drying.
• Apply the medicine one drop at a time to completely cover each wart,corn, or callus. Let dry.
• For warts?Repeat one or two times a day as needed for up to12 weeks, or as directed by your doctor, until wart is removed.
• For corns and calluses?Repeat one or two times a day as neededfor up to 14 days, or as directed by your doctor, until the corn or callusis removed.
• Corns and calluses may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes to helpin their removal.
• If discomfort gets worse during treatment or continues after treatment,or if the wart spreads, check with your doctor.

Unless your hands are being treated, wash them immediately after applyingthis medicine to remove any medicine that may be on them.

Dosing?The dose of salicylic acid will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of salicylic acid. If your dose isdifferent, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For cream dosage form:
  • For corns and calluses:
    • Adults and children?Use the 2 to 10% cream as needed. Use the25 to 60% cream one time every three to five days.
• For gel dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children?Use the 0.5 to 5% gel one time a day.
  • For psoriasis:
    • Adults and children?Use the 5% gel one time a day.
  • For common warts:
    • Adults and children?Use the 5 to 26% gel one time a day.
• For lotion dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children?Use the 1 to 2% lotion one to three timesa day.
  • For dandruff and antiseborrhic dermatitis of the scalp:
    • Adults and children?Use the 1.8 to 2% lotion on the scalp oneor two times a day.
• For ointment dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children?Use the 3 to 6% ointment as needed.
  • For psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis:
    • Adults and children?Use the 3 to 10% ointment as needed.
  • For common warts:
    • Adults and children?Use the 3 to 10% ointment as needed. Usethe 25 to 60% ointment one time every three to five days.
• For pads dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children?Use one to three times a day.
• For plaster dosage form:
  • For corns, calluses, common warts, or plantar warts:
    • Adults and children?Use one time a day or one time every otherday.
• For shampoo dosage form:
  • For dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp:
    • Adults and children?Use on the scalp one or two times a week.
• For soap dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children?Use as needed.
• For topical solution dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children?Use the 0.5 to 2% topical solution oneto three times a day.
  • For common warts and plantar warts:
    • Adults and children?Use the 5 to 27% topical solution one ortwo times a day.
  • For corns and calluses:
    • Adults and children?Use the 12 to 27% topical solution oneor two times a day.

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.

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 salicylic acid, 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, resorcinol, sulfur, or tretinoin [vitaminA 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 salicylicacid may cause severe irritation of the skin.

Check with your doctor right away if you have nausea, vomiting, dizziness,loss of hearing, tinnitus, lethargy hyperpnea, diarrhea, and psychic disturbances.These could be symptoms of a serious condition called salicylate toxicity,especially in children under 12 years of age and patients with kidney or liverproblems.

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:

Less common or rare

Skin irritation not present before use of this medicine (moderateor severe)

Frequency not known

Dryness and peeling of skin; flushing; redness of skin; unusuallywarm skin

Symptoms of salicylic acid poisoning

Confusion; diarrhea; dizziness; fast or deep breathing; headache (severe or continuing); hearing loss; lightheadedness; nausea; rapid breathing; ringing or buzzingin ears (continuing); severe drowsiness; stomach pain; vomiting

Other sideeffects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. However, checkwith your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Skin irritation not present before use of this medicine (mild); stinging

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.