Synalar N cream/ointment

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How does it work?

This medicine contains two active ingredients, fluocinolone acetonide and neomycin sulphate. Fluocinolone acetonide is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid (or steroid). Corticosteroids are hormones that are produced naturally by the adrenal glands, and have many important functions, including control of inflammatory responses. Fluocinolone is a synthetic corticosteroid and is used to decrease inflammation in the skin. When applied to the skin it is absorbed into the skin cells. Here it works by preventing the release of certain chemicals from the cells. These chemicals are important in the immune system, and are released as a result of allergy or irritation. They cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the affected area of skin becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful, such as is seen in dermatitis or eczema. By decreasing the release of these chemicals in the skin, fluocinolone reduces inflammation and relieves itch. There is a range of potencies of corticosteroids available for application to the skin. This medicine contains fluocinolone 0.025% and is classed as a potent corticosteroid. It is prescribed to treat various inflammatory skin disorders, such as eczema and dermatitis. Neomycin sulphate is an antibiotic of the aminoglycoside type and is used to treat infections with bacteria. It works by entering bacterial cells and interfering with the production of proteins that the bacteria need to divide and multiply. It doesn't directly kill the bacteria, but leaves them unable to increase in numbers. The existing bacteria eventually die or are destroyed by the immune system. Neomycin is included in this preparation to treat the bacteria that sometimes infect inflammatory skin diseases. Fluocinolone and neomycin are combined in this preparation to treat inflammatory skin conditions, such as various forms of eczema and dermatitis, which are either infected, or likely to become infected, for example because airtight dressings are being used over the area. Synalar N is available as a cream and ointment. The cream may be more suitable for moist, weeping areas of skin, while the thicker, more greasy ointment may be more suitable for dry, scaly areas of skin.

What is it used for?

- Inflammatory skin disorders, eg eczema, with associated bacterial infection

Warning!

- If corticosteroids are used long-term, on large areas of skin, raw skin, skin folds, or under airtight dressings (including nappies) they are absorbed into the body more. This increases the risk of local side effects such as skin thinning, and those on other parts of the body, such as a decrease in the production of natural hormones by the adrenal glands. For this reason, continuous, long-term use of this medicine should be avoided wherever possible, particularly in children and on large areas of skin. You should only use airtight dressings over the affected area if instructed by your doctor.
- This preparation is for external use only.
- This medicine should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s).
- Avoid contact of this medicine with the eyes and the moist membranes lining the inside of certain parts of the body, eg mouth, nasal passages (mucous membranes). Rinse with cold water if accidental contact occurs.
- This medicine should not be used for longer than five days on the face or in children.
- If your doctor has advised you to use dressings with this medicine, the skin should be cleansed before a fresh dressing is applied.
- If this medicine is to be used on the face or in children, you should not use airtight dressings (including nappies) to cover the area treated, as this may increase the absorption of the medicine into the body, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated.
- Consult your doctor if any infection spreads, or if after seven days of treatment with this medicine there is little or no improvement in your symptoms, as you may need to stop using this medicine or take a course of antibiotics by mouth.

Use with caution in

- Children
- Decreased kidney function
- Elderly people

Not to be used in

- Acne
- Bacterial, viral or fungal skin infection that is not secondary to another disease state (primary skin infections, eg impetigo, chickenpox, ringworm)
- Children less than 1 year of age
- Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
- Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)
- Nappy rash
- The outer ear if you have a perforated ear drum

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings, or for prolonged periods of time. Consult your doctor for further information.
- This medicine should not be used during breastfeeding unless considered essential by your doctor. If it is prescribed by your doctor it should not be used on large areas of skin, underneath airtight dressings or for prolonged periods of time. If it is applied to the breasts it should be washed off carefully before breastfeeding and then reapplied afterwards.

Label warnings

- This medication is to be spread thinly and sparingly on the skin.

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