Salicylic acid

Topical/Cutaneous
Acne
Adult: As 2% cleanser: Use 2 times daily.
Child: ≥12 years Same as adult dose.

Topical/Cutaneous
Callus
Adult: Soak the area in warm water for 5 minutes then dry thoroughly before application. As 12% solution: Apply to the affected area once daily. As 40% plaster or patch: Apply to the affected area and leave in place for 24 hours or 48 hours (refer to specific product guideline). Cut to fit if necessary. Repeat every 24 hours or 48 hours, respectively, for up to 14 days.
Child: Dosage recommendations may vary among countries or individual products. Refer to country- or product-specific guidelines.

Topical/Cutaneous
Hyperkeratotic and scaling skin conditions
Adult: As 6% cream, lotion or gel: Apply to the affected area daily before bedtime. Hydrate skin for at least 5 minutes before application. Wash off in the morning. If gel is to be used for the scalp, apply at a frequency directed by your doctor and wash off after 10-20 minutes, or may be left for up to 1 hour as treatment progresses. As 3% gel: Apply to the affected area 1-4 times daily. As 6% shampoo: As medicated shampoo: Lather into wet hair, gently massage into scalp, leave on for several minutes and then rinse thoroughly. As concentrated scalp treatment: Do not wet hair. Apply to the affected areas of the scalp using the applicator. Leave on for 5 minutes, gradually increasing treatment time up to 1 hour or as directed. Rinse thoroughly with water after treatment. Use daily until the condition clears. As 6% foam: Apply to affected area 2 times daily. Rub into the skin until completely absorbed. As 2% ointment: Apply to the affected area 2 times daily.
Child: Dosage recommendations may vary among countries or individual products. Refer to country- or product-specific guidelines.

Topical/Cutaneous
Warts
Adult: Before application, soak the area in warm water for 5 minutes. Remove any loose tissue by gently rubbing with a washcloth, emery board or pumice stone. Dry thoroughly. As 26% cutaneous solution: Apply to wart surface twice, allowing the 1st application to dry before applying the 2nd. Use once daily. As 27.5-28.5% film-forming solution: Apply to wart surface twice, allowing the 1st application to dry before applying the 2nd. Use 1-2 times daily until resolved (approx 4-6 weeks). As 17% gel or liquid: Apply 1 drop at a time to cover each wart 1-2 times daily until wart is removed (for up to 12 weeks). As 12% solution: Apply to the affected area once daily. As 40% plaster or patch: Apply to the affected area and leave in place for 48 hours. Cut to fit if necessary. Repeat every 48 hours for up to 12 weeks.
Child: Dosage recommendations may vary among countries or individual products. Refer to country- or product-specific guidelines.

Hypersensitivity. Diabetes or impaired blood circulation (wart/callus removal preparations). Children <2 years (some products).

Patients undergoing UVB phototherapy. Not intended for application to inflamed or broken skin, moles, birthmarks, unusual warts with hair growth, genital warts, warts on the face or mucous membranes. Children. Pregnancy and lactation. Patient Counselling Avoid contact with eyes, mouth and other mucous membranes, or broken skin. Use sunscreen and limit sun exposure. Monitoring Parameters Monitor for signs of salicylate toxicity.

General disorders and administration site conditions: Application site reactions (e.g. irritation, discomfort, dryness, peeling).
Potentially Fatal: Serious hypersensitivity reaction (e.g. anaphylactic reaction).

Symptoms: Vomiting, headache, thirst, loss of hearing, tinnitus, lethargy, hyperpnoea, psychiatric disturbances and confusion. Management: Supportive treatment including fluid and electrolyte replacement.

May increase the absorption of other topically applied medicines. Dryness or irritation increases with other topical acne products. May diminish the therapeutic effect of calcipotriol.

Salicylic acid produces desquamation of hyperkeratotic epithelium via dissolution of the intercellular cement thereby causing swelling, softening, maceration, and desquamation of the cornified tissue. Salicylic acid is keratoplastic (corrects abnormal keratinisation) in low concentrations and keratolytic (causes peeling of the skin) in higher concentrations (1% or higher, depending on the vehicle).
Onset: Treatment of warts: 1-2 weeks.
Absorption: Rapidly and efficiently absorbed percutaneously (65-85%). Time to peak plasma concentration: 6-12 hours.
Distribution: Distributed in the extracellular space. Crosses the placenta and enters breast milk. Plasma protein binding: 50-80%, to albumin.
Metabolism: Metabolised in the liver by microsomal enzymes.
Excretion: Mainly via urine (52% as salicyluric acid, 42% as salicylate glucuronides, 6% as salicylic acid).

Topical/Cutaneous: Store between 15-30°C. Protect from heat or open flame. Storage recommendations may vary among countries or individual products.

Acne Treatment Preparations / Keratolytics

S01BC08 - salicylic acid ; Belongs to the class of non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents. Used in the treatment of inflammation of the eye.
D01AE12 - salicylic acid ; Belongs to the class of other antifungals for topical use.