Tri-adcortyl cream/ointment

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How does it work?

This medicine contains four active ingredients, triamcinolone acetonide, neomycin sulphate, gramicidin and nystatin. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Inflammation of the skin happens due to the irritation of the skin, and is caused by the release of various substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful. When triamcinolone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the skin cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itch. Triamcinolone is a potent corticosteroid that is applied to the skin to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin diseases, such as eczema. Neomycin, gramicidin and nystatin are all medicines used to treat infections. Neomycin sulphate is a type of antibiotic called an aminoglycoside. 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. Gramicidin is a different type of antibiotic, and the combination of these two antibiotics provides treatment against a wide variety of bacteria that may infect the skin. Nystatin is an antifungal medicine. It kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. Nystatin works by binding to a substance called ergosterol, which is a component of fungal cell membranes. Binding to ergosterol disrupts the cell membrane and causes holes to appear. The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As nystatin causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi. The combination of these anti-infective medicines with the anti-inflammatory triamcinolone is used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, that have become infected with bacteria, fungi or both.

What is it used for?

- Inflamed skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis, that are infected with bacteria or fungi

Warning!

- This preparation is for external use only.
- Consult your doctor if after seven days of treatment with this medicine there is little or no improvement in your symptoms.
- This medicine should be applied thinly and evenly to the affected area(s).
- You should not cover the area being treated with airtight dressings such as bandages or other dressings, including nappies, as these will enhance the absorption of the medicine into the body and may increase the risk of adverse effects.
- This medicine should not be used for longer than five days on the face or in children.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated.
- 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).
- Do not use this medicine for longer than instructed by your doctor, or for recurrent infections, as this may cause the skin to become over-sensitive or allergic to the medicine.
- 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

- Impaired hearing
- Leg ulcers
- Skin infections following extensive burns

Not to be used in

- Acne vulgaris
- Children less than 1 year of age
- Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
- Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)
- Large areas of skin
- Skin infections with fungi not susceptible to nystatin
- Skin sores caused by tuberculosis
- The outer ear if you have a perforated ear drum
- Viral skin infections such as chickenpox or herpes simplex

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.

- The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

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

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