CALAMINE (Topical)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Calamox

In Canada?

• Diaper Rash Ointment
• Onguent de Calamine

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

Category

• Antipruritic, topical
• Skin protectant

Description

Calamine (KAL-a-meen)is used to relieve the itching, pain, and discomfort of minor skin irritations,such as those caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. This medicinealso dries oozing and weeping caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poisonsumac.

Calamine is available without prescription in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Lotion (U.S. and Canada)
• 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 calamine, the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to calamine. Also tell your health care professional ifyou are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, ordyes.

Pregnancy?Calamine has not been shown to cause birth defectsor other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding?Calamine has not been reported to cause problemsin nursing babies.

Children?Although there is no specific information comparinguse of calamine in children with use in other age groups, this medicine isnot expected to cause different side effects or problems in children thanit does in adults.

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 calamine 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 topical prescription or nonprescription(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area ofthe skin.

Proper Use of This Medicine

Calamineis for external use only. Do not swallow it and do not use it on the eyesor mucous membranes such as the inside of the mouth, nose, genital (sex organs),or anal areas.

To use calamine lotion:

• Shake the lotion well before using.
• Moisten a pledget of cotton with the lotion.
• Use the moistened pledget to apply the lotion to the affected skinarea(s).
• Allow the medicine to dry on the skin.

To use calamine ointment:

• Apply enough medicine to cover affected skin area(s) and rub in gently.

Dosing?Follow your doctor's ordersor the directions on the label. The following information includesonly the average dose of calamine. If your dose is different,do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For minor skin irritations:
  • For topical dosage forms (lotion, ointment):
    • Adults and children?Apply to the affected area(s) of skin asoften as needed.

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 refrigerate.
• 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

If yourcondition gets worse or if it does not improve within 7 days, or if rash orirritation develops, stop using calamine and check with your doctor.