how does this medication work? what will it do for me?
prednicarbate belongs to the class of medications called topical corticosteroids. it is used to reduce the symptoms associated with inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. prednicarbate is a medium strength corticosteroid and it works by reducing inflammation, itching, and irritation of the skin.
this medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. as well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. if you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.
do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. it can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
what form(s) does this medication come in?
emollient cream
each gram contains prednicarbate 0.1%. nonmedicinal ingredients: benzyl alcohol, edetate sodium, isopropyl myristate, lactic acid, purified water, wool alcohols ointment, and wool wax alcohols.
ointment
each gram contains prednicarbate 0.1%. nonmedicinal ingredients: white petrolatum, octyldodecanol, cithrol gmo 50-lq-(ap) (made of glycerol oleate, propylene glycol, and citric acid).
how should i use this medication?
apply a thin layer to the affected skin areas twice daily. gently rub the medication into the skin. if you don't notice any improvement within a few days to a week, consult your doctor.
prednicarbate should not be used for longer than 2 weeks without the skin being reexamined by your doctor. do not use a dressing that doesn't breathe to cover areas where this medication has been applied. do not apply prednicarbate to your face, underarms, or groin area, unless your doctor tells you to do so.
many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. if your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.
it is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. if you miss a dose, apply it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one. if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.
do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
who should not take this medication?
do not use this medication if you:
- are allergic to prednicarbate or to any of the ingredients of the medication
- are allergic to wool or lanolin
- have untreated bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infections
what side effects are possible with this medication?
many medications can cause side effects. a side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
the side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. if you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
the following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- burning sensation
- dry skin
- itch
- redness at application site
- shiny skin
- thinning of skin
although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- acne
- new rash
- pain, scaling, and cracking of skin
- signs of a new infection
stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of face or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing)
some people may experience side effects other than those listed. check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. these factors may affect how you should use this medication.
eyes: use this medication carefully on lesions close to the eye. take care to ensure that it does not enter the eye, as this can increase the risk of glaucoma or cataracts. report any changes in your vision to your doctor as soon as possible.
infections: corticosteroids applied to the skin may increase the risk of developing a skin infection. if you notice any increased redness, swelling, heat, or pain around the area where the medication is applied, contact your doctor, as these are possible signs of infection.
internal absorption: absorption of topical corticosteroids into the body will increase if large areas are treated or if dressings that don't breathe are used. if you need to use the medication in this way, speak to your doctor about what precautions you should take. this is especially important for infants and children.
latex condoms: contact between this medication and latex condoms must be avoided, since a component of the medication can cause latex to break apart or leak.
thinning of skin: using topical corticosteroid medication for a long period of time can cause skin and the tissues underneath to thin or soften, or cause stretch marks. your doctor may recommend you stop using this medication once in a while or that you apply it to one area of the body at a time to give the skin a chance to strengthen. if you notice changes to the texture or colour of your skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
pregnancy: the medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. if you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
breast-feeding: it is not known if prednicarbate passes into breast milk. if you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
children: it is not known whether the ointment form of this medication is safe and effective for use on children. the cream form is considered safe for use on children and infants. children may be more likely to experience side effects from this medication. the risk of side effects increases when large body areas are treated, when treatment lasts for a long time, and when dressings that don't breathe are used. in these situations, side effects similar to those caused by oral corticosteroids (e.g., growth suppression) may occur. talk to your doctor about what precautions should be taken in these cases. prednicarbate should not be used to treat diaper rash.
what other drugs could interact with this medication?
there may be an interaction between prednicarbate and any of the following:
- aldesleukin
- deferasirox
- hyaluronidase
if you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
an interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. also tell them about any supplements you take. since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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