Salicylic Acid (Topical)

Brand name(s): Antinea

Proper Use of This Medicine

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time 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 chance of salicylic acid poisoning.

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

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

To use the cream, lotion, or ointment form of 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 affected areas for at least 5 minutes. If you have any questions about this, check with 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 for warts, corns, or calluses:

• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read them carefully before using.
• Do not use this medicine on irritated skin or on any area that is infected or reddened. Also, do not use this medicine if you are a diabetic or if you have poor blood circulation.
• Do not use this medicine on warts with hair growing from them or on warts on the face, in or on the genital (sex) organs, or inside the nose or mouth. Also do not use on moles or birthmarks. To do so may cause severe irritation.
• Wash the area to be treated and dry thoroughly. Warts may be soaked in 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 directed by your doctor, until the corn or callus is removed.
  • Corns or calluses may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes to help in 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, remove plaster 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 lukewarm water. Apply enough medicine to work up a lather and rub well into the scalp for 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 entire affected area with a washcloth or facial sponge or mitt.
• If you are to use this soap in a foot bath, work up rich suds in hot water and soak the feet for 10 to 15 minutes. Then pat dry without rinsing.

To use the topical solution form of salicylic acid for acne:

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

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

• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read them carefully before using.
• This medicine is flammable. Do not use it near heat or open flame or while smoking.
• Do not use this medicine on irritated skin or on any area that is infected or reddened. Also, do not use this medicine if you are a diabetic or if you have poor blood circulation.
• Do not use this medicine on warts with hair growing from them or on warts on the face, in or on the genital (sex) organs, or inside the nose or mouth. Also do not use on moles or birthmarks. To do so may cause severe irritation.
• Avoid breathing in the vapors from the medicine.
• Wash the area to be treated and dry thoroughly. Warts may be soaked in 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 to 12 weeks, or as directed by your doctor, until wart is removed.
• For corns and calluses-Repeat one or two times a day as needed for up to 14 days, or as directed by your doctor, until the corn or callus is removed.
• Corns and calluses may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes to help in 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 applying this medicine to remove any medicine that may be on them.

Dosing-

The dose of salicylic acid will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of salicylic acid. If your dose is different, 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 the 25 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 times a day.
  • For dandruff and antiseborrhic dermatitis of the scalp:
    • Adults and children-Use the 1.8 to 2% lotion on the scalp one or 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. Use the 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 other day.
• 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 one to three times a day.
  • For common warts and plantar warts:
    • Adults and children-Use the 5 to 27% topical solution one or two times a day.
  • For corns and calluses:
    • Adults and children-Use the 12 to 27% topical solution one or two times a day.

Missed dose-

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed 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 sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Last Revised: 01/19/2005

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