Diprosalic scalp application

How does it work?

This medicine contains two active ingredients, betamethasone dipropionate and salicylic acid. Betamethasone diproprionate 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 betamethasone 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. Betamethasone is a potent corticosteroid that is applied to the skin to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin diseases, such as eczema. Salicylic acid is type of medicine called a keratolytic. It works by breaking down keratin, which is a protein that forms part of the skin structure. In conditions such as psoriasis and chronic eczema, excessive amounts of keratin in the skin cells causes these cells to harden, and makes the skin become thickened and scaly. This not only makes the skin itchy and inflamed, but also reduces the degree to which anti-inflammatory medicines can penetrate through the skin to treat the inflammation. Salicylic acid breaks down the keratin in the hardened and thickened skin, helping to shed skin cells from the area to which it is applied, and soften and improve the appearance of scaly skin. It also helps improve the penetration of the betamethasone into the skin, making it more effective than if the betamethasone was applied on its own. The combination of betamethasone and salicyclic acid in this medicine is therefore used to treat dry, scaly, inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis, where the thickened skin could otherwise prevent absorption of the corticosteroid. Diprosalic is available as an ointment and a scalp application. The ointment is more suitable for skin on the body, such as chronic psoriasis of the hands and feet, while the scalp application is a thinner lotion used mainly to treat psoriasis of the scalp.

What is it used for?

Dry, scaly, inflamed skin conditions

Eczema

Psoriasis

Warning!

Avoid prolonged use.

This preparation is for external use only.

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.

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.

Long term use of this medicine on large areas of skin, particularly in skin folds or if the skin is damaged, may result in increased absorption of the medicine into the bloodstream, with an increased risk of side effects.

This medicine should not be used for longer than five days on the face or in children.

The use of this medicine should be carefully supervised and the need for it reviewed by a doctor after 2 weeks of treatment.

Not to be used in

Acne

Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)

Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)

Itching around the back passage and genitals

Nappy rash or fungal and bacterial skin infections, unless also treated with anti-infective medicines

Skin sores caused by tuberculosis

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 during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

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

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Stretch marks (striae)

Skin thinning

Inflammation of the skin (dermatitis) with prolonged use

Slight widening of the veins in the skin, especially the face

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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