Trimovate cream

How does it work?

This medicine contains three active ingredients, clobetasone butyrate, oxytetracycline and nystatin. Clobetasone butyrate 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. Clobetasone is a synthetic steroid, 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, as is seen in dermatitis or eczema. By decreasing the release of these chemicals in the skin, clobetasone reduces inflammation and relieves itch. There is a range of potencies of corticosteroids applied to the skin. Clobetasone is classed as a moderately potent corticosteroid. It is used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema and dermatitis. Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic medicine. It works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to the bacterial cell. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. The existing bacteria eventually die or are destroyed by the immune system. Oxytetracycline is included in this preparation to treat the bacteria that sometimes infect inflammatory skin diseases. Nystatin is an antifungal medicine that kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. It 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 clobetasone, oxytetracycline and nystatin is used to treat inflammatory skin disorders, such as eczema, that are or may become infected with bacteria or Candida species of fungi. It is particularly useful for moist areas of skin where infection is more likely, such as nappy rash, seborrhoeic dermatitis, or inflamed areas where skin surfaces are in contact (intertrigo) eg between the thighs or between the buttocks. The clobetasone reduces the inflammation, while the oxytetracycline and nystatin prevent and treat infections of the skin.

What is it used for?

Inflamed skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis, that are or may become infected with bacteria or Candida species of fungi

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 preparation may stain skin, hair and fabric. You can protect clothes by covering the treated area with a non-airtight cotton bandage or piece of clean cloth.

If your doctor has advised you to use dressings with this medicine, the skin should be cleansed before a fresh dressing is applied.

Wash your hands thoroughly after applying this medicine, unless the hands are the area being treated.

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

Children

Not to be used in

Acne rosacea

Acne vulgaris

Bacterial, viral or fungal skin infection that is not secondary to another disease state (primary skin infections, eg impetigo, chickenpox, ringworm)

Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)

Skin disorders infected with certain types of bacteria (pseudomonas or proteus species)

Skin disorders infected with certain types of fungus (dermatophyte species)

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 in pregnancy and breastfeeding, unless considered essential by the doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

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

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