Salicylic Acid Topical

In the U.S.

• Akurza
• Aliclen
• Avosil
• Betasal
• Compound W
• Corn Removing
• Dermarest Psoriasis
• DHS Sal
• Drytex
• Duofilm
• Duoplant
• Durasal
• Freezone
• Fung-O
• Gets-It Corn/Callus Remover
• Gordofilm
• Hydrisalic
• Ionil
• Ionil Plus
• Keralyt
• Keralyt Scalp
• Lupicare
• Mediplast
• Mg217 Sal-Acid
• Mosco Corn & Callus Remover
• Neutrogena
• Occlusal-HP
• Off-Ezy
• Oxy Balance
• P & S
• Palmer's Skin Success Acne Cleanser
• Propa pH
• Salac
• Sal-Acid Plaster
• Salactic Film
• Salacyn
• Salex
• Salitop
• Salkera
• Sal-Plant Gel
• Salvax
• Seba-Clear
• Stri-Dex
• Thera-Sal
• Therasoft Anti-Acne
• Tinamed
• Ti-Seb
• Virasal
• Wart-Off Maximum Strength
• Zapzyt

In Canada

• Acnex
• Acnomel Acne Mask
• Clear Away Wart Removal System
• Compound W One-Step Wart Remover
• Compound W Plus
• Dr. Scholl's Clear Away One Step Plantar Wart Remover
• Dr. Scholl's Cushlin Ultra Slim Callus Removers
• Dr. Scholl's Cushlin Ultra Slim Corn Removers
• Duoforte 27
• Freezone - One Step Callus Remover Pad
• Freezone - One Step Corn Remover Pad

Available Dosage Forms:

• Soap
• Lotion
• Liquid
• Foam
• Ointment
• Gel/Jelly
• Solution
• Cream
• Pad
• Paste
• Shampoo
• Dressing
• Stick
• Patch, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Antiacne

Pharmacologic Class: NSAID

Chemical Class: Salicylate, Non-Aspirin

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For salicylic acid, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to salicylic acid or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Young children may be at increased risk of unwanted effects because of increased absorption of salicylic acid through the skin. Also, young children may be more likely to get skin irritation from salicylic acid. Salicylic acid should not be applied to large areas of the body, used for long periods of time, or used under occlusive dressing (air-tight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap) in children. Use of salicylic acid topical in children younger than 2 years of age is not recommended.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of salicylic acid topical in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related blood vessel disease, which may require caution in patients receiving salicylic acid topical.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking salicylic acid, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using salicylic acid with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Ketorolac

Using salicylic acid with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abciximab
• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Amiloride
• Amineptine
• Amitriptyline
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Amoxapine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Anagrelide
• Ardeparin
• Aspirin
• Bemiparin
• Bendroflumethiazide
• Benzthiazide
• Betamethasone
• Betrixaban
• Bromfenac
• Budesonide
• Bufexamac
• Bumetanide
• Cangrelor
• Celecoxib
• Certoparin
• Chlorothiazide
• Chlorthalidone
• Cilostazol
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine
• Clonixin
• Clopamide
• Clopidogrel
• Cortisone
• Cyclopenthiazide
• Cyclosporine
• Dalteparin
• Danaparoid
• Deflazacort
• Desipramine
• Desmopressin
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexamethasone
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diazoxide
• Dibenzepin
• Diclofenac
• Digoxin
• Dipyridamole
• Dipyrone
• Dothiepin
• Doxepin
• Droxicam
• Duloxetine
• Edoxaban
• Enoxaparin
• Eplerenone
• Epoprostenol
• Eptifibatide
• Escitalopram
• Ethacrynic Acid
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Feverfew
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Fluocortolone
• Fluoxetine
• Flurbiprofen
• Fluvoxamine
• Furosemide
• Ginkgo
• Gossypol
• Hydrochlorothiazide
• Hydrocortisone
• Hydroflumethiazide
• Ibuprofen
• Iloprost
• Imipramine
• Indapamide
• Indomethacin
• Ketoprofen
• Levomilnacipran
• Lithium
• Lofepramine
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meadowsweet
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Melitracen
• Meloxicam
• Methotrexate
• Methyclothiazide
• Methylprednisolone
• Metolazone
• Milnacipran
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Nadroparin
• Naproxen
• Nefazodone
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Nortriptyline
• Opipramol
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Paramethasone
• Parecoxib
• Parnaparin
• Paroxetine
• Pemetrexed
• Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
• Pentoxifylline
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piroxicam
• Polythiazide
• Pralatrexate
• Prasugrel
• Prednisolone
• Prednisone
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Protriptyline
• Reboxetine
• Reviparin
• Rofecoxib
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Spironolactone
• Sulindac
• Tacrolimus
• Tenoxicam
• Tianeptine
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• Tinzaparin
• Tirofiban
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Torsemide
• Treprostinil
• Triamterene
• Trichlormethiazide
• Trimipramine
• Valdecoxib
• Venlafaxine
• Vilazodone
• Vorapaxar
• Vortioxetine
• Xipamide

Using salicylic acid with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acebutolol
• Acenocoumarol
• Alacepril
• Anisindione
• Atenolol
• Azilsartan
• Azilsartan Medoxomil
• Benazepril
• Betaxolol
• Bisoprolol
• Candesartan
• Captopril
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Cilazapril
• Delapril
• Dicumarol
• Enalapril
• Enalaprilat
• Eprosartan
• Esmolol
• Fosinopril
• Imidapril
• Irbesartan
• Labetalol
• Levobunolol
• Lisinopril
• Losartan
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Moexipril
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Olmesartan
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Pentopril
• Perindopril
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Pindolol
• Practolol
• Probenecid
• Propranolol
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Sotalol
• Spirapril
• Tamarind
• Telmisartan
• Temocapril
• Timolol
• Trandolapril
• Valsartan
• Warfarin
• Zofenopril

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of salicylic acid. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood vessel disease or
• Diabetes—Use with caution. May cause severe redness or ulceration, especially on the hands or feet.

• Inflammation, irritation, or infection of the skin—Use of salicylic acid may cause severe irritation if applied to inflamed, irritated, or infected area of the skin.

• Influenza (flu) or
• Varicella (chicken pox)—Should not be used in children and teenagers with the flu or chicken pox. There is a risk of Reye's syndrome.

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Using salicylic acid for a long time over large areas could result in unwanted effects.

There are many brands and forms of salicylic acid available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Salicylic acid is a keratolytic (peeling agent). Salicylic acid causes shedding of the outer layer of skin.

Salicylic acid topical (for the skin) is used in the treatment of acne, dandruff, seborrhea, or psoriasis, and to remove corns, calluses, and warts.

Salicylic acid topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Wart remover medicine may be flammable. Do not use near high heat or open flame such as a burning candle. Wash the medicine off your hands before handling a hair styling appliance (such as a curling or straightening iron). High heat could cause the medicine to ignite and burn your skin.

Do not smoke until the gel has completely dried on your skin.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, mouth, rectum, or vagina. If this does happen, rinse with water. Do not use the medicine on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.

Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with salicylic acid topical unless your doctor tells you to.

Salicylic acid topical can cause a rare but serious allergic reaction or severe skin irritation. These reactions may occur just a few minutes after you apply the medicine, or within a day or longer afterward.

Stop using this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; difficult breathing, feeling light-headed; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using salicylic acid topical and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe headache, ringing in your ears, problems with hearing, thinking problems;

• severe stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• shortness of breath; or

• severe burning, dryness, or irritation of the skin.

Common side effects may include:

• minor skin irritation, rash, or peeling; or

• changes in the color of treated skin (usually whitening).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied salicylic acid. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

This product is used to treat mild to moderate acne. It may be used in combination with other acne treatments. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first before combining acne treatments. Salicylic acid belongs to a class of drugs known as salicylates. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid may work by helping the skin to shed dead cells from the top layer and by decreasing redness and swelling (inflammation). This decreases the number of pimples that form and speeds healing.

How to use Salicylic Acid Gel

Follow all directions on the product package. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Before using this product for the first time, check if you are allergic to it. To check, put a small amount on one or two small areas of acne for three days. If you have an allergic reaction, stop using this product and get medical help right away (see the symptoms of an allergic reaction in the Side Effects section). If you don't have an allergic reaction, you can use the product.

This medication is for use on the skin only. To avoid irritation, do not let this medication come into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth, groin, or any broken skin (e.g., cuts, scrapes, rashes). If you do get the medication in those areas, flush the area with cool water for 15 minutes.

If you are using a cream, lotion, solution, or gel, apply a thin film of the medication to the areas of your skin affected by acne, usually 1 to 2 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Before applying each dose, gently wash the affected area with a mild cleanser, then pat dry. Apply a small amount of medicine to the affected area and rub in gently. If using the pads, wash the affected skin with a mild cleanser, then pat dry. Wipe the pad gently onto the skin to apply the medication, usually 1 to 3 times a day or as directed by your doctor. Wash hands after use.

If using cleansers containing salicylic acid, wet the affected area. Gently rub the cleanser into the skin for 10 to 20 seconds. Do not scrub the skin. Work into a full lather and rinse thoroughly, and then pat dry. If too much drying occurs, you may need to rinse the cleanser off sooner or use it less often. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not use large amounts, apply this drug more often, or use it for a longer period than directed. Your condition will not clear faster, but the chance for side effects may be increased.

If your condition persists or worsens, or if you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

Skin reactions such as peeling/burning/dry/reddened skin may occur, especially at the start of treatment. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. You may need to apply smaller amounts of the drug or use it less often. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

If this medication has been prescribed by your doctor, do not share this medication with others.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.Information last revised July 2016. Copyright(c) 2016 First Databank, Inc.