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Drug information

Dermol

OTC
Read time: 3 mins
Last updated: 03 Dec 2019

Summary of product characteristics


1. Name of the medicinal product

Dermol 500 Lotion


2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Liquid paraffin

Isopropyl myristate

Benzalkonium chloride

Chlorhexidine dihydrochloride

2.5% w/w

2.5% w/w

0.1% w/w

0.1% w/w

Excipients with known effect:

Cetostearyl alcohol

For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1


3. Pharmaceutical form

Cutaneous Emulsion

White, non-greasy cutaneous emulsion


4.1. Therapeutic indications

An antimicrobial emollient for the management of dry and pruritic skin conditions, especially eczema and dermatitis. The lotion is suitable for direct application, and for use as a soap substitute.


4.2. Posology and method of administration

For adults, children and the elderly.

For application to the skin

Apply the lotion to the affected areas as required.

Massage into the skin, until absorbed.

For use as a soap substitute

Use as a cleanser in the bath or shower, or for other toiletry purposes, instead of ordinary soap or shower gel.


4.3. Contraindications

Do not use in cases of known sensitivity (especially generalised allergic reaction) to any of the ingredients (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).


4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Avoid contact with the eyes.

Local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis) to any of the ingredients are rare but possible in sensitive people.

There are literature reports of chlorhexidine compounds inducing hypersensitivity, including anaphylactic shock. The prevalence of this is not known, but is likely to be very rare. Dermol 500 Lotion should not be administered to anyone with a possible history of allergic reaction to a chlorhexidine compound (see sections 4.3 and 4.8).

Dermol 500 Lotion contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

Instruct patients not to smoke or go near naked flames - risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.


4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known.


4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

No special precautions.


4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None known.


4.8. Undesirable effects

Although the lotion has been specially formulated for use on dry or problem skin, in the unlikely event of a reaction discontinue treatment.

Local skin reactions

These reactions are very rare (<1/10,000, based on spontaneous reporting) and may be irritant or allergic in nature. Reactions have been observed occasionally when used excessively as a leave-on application in areas of folded skin such as the anogenital area.

Serious generalised allergic reactions

Very rarely, hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reaction (see sections 4.3 and 4.4) is possible (based on literature for chlorhexidine-containing products).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.


4.9. Overdose

Not applicable.


5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties

ATC code: D02 AX, emollients and protectives.

Bacteria (especially Staphylococcus aureus) are implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory dry skin conditions such as atopic eczema or dermatitis.

Dermol 500 Lotion contains 5% of emollient oils in a non-greasy aqueous lotion which also contains the well-known and effective antiseptics benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine dihydrochloride. Its antimicrobial properties assist in overcoming infection, whether from Staph aureus, the pathogen which often complicates eczema and associated pruritus, or secondary infection caused by scratching.

Massaged into the skin, the emollients, liquid paraffin and isopropyl myristate, permit rehydration of dry skin by forming an occlusive barrier within the skin surface, thus reducing drying from evaporation of water that diffuses from the underlying layers.


5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties

The active ingredients are presented in an aqueous lotion and so are readily absorbed into the stratum corneum when the product is gently massaged over the areas of dry skin. The antiseptic ingredients are in intimate contact with the skin, and as they are in solution, their availability is optimal.


5.3. Preclinical safety data

No special information.


6.1. List of excipients

Cetostearyl alcohol

Macrogol cetostearyl ether (cetomacrogol)

Phenoxyethanol

Purified water


6.2. Incompatibilities

None known


6.3. Shelf life

30 months in unopened container (all pack sizes apart from the 50 ml bottle)

24 months in 50 ml bottle container

In-use - 18 months (container sizes greater than 250 ml)


6.4. Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25°C.

Replace cap after use.


6.5. Nature and contents of container

High density polyethylene BOTTLE (50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350 or 500 ml) with either a white polypropylene METERING PUMP or a white polypropylene dispensing STOPPER/CAP as appropriate.

Paper/polyethylene/foil/polyethylene laminate SACHET (5 or 10 ml) packaged into unit cartons in appropriate multiples to match the above bottle capacities.

Supplied as original packs (OP).


6.6. Special precautions for disposal and other handling

No special requirements.


7. Marketing authorisation holder

Diomed Developments Limited

T/A Dermal Laboratories

Tatmore Place

Gosmore

Hitchin

Hertfordshire SG4 7QR

UK


8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 00173/0051


9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

16 January 1991 / 23 June 2009 (for 01/10/07 renewal date, PSUR-Renewal unlimited validity granted)


10. Date of revision of the text

27 November 2019

4.1 Therapeutic indications

An antimicrobial emollient for the management of dry and pruritic skin conditions, especially eczema and dermatitis. The lotion is suitable for direct application, and for use as a soap substitute.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

For adults, children and the elderly.

For application to the skin

Apply the lotion to the affected areas as required.

Massage into the skin, until absorbed.

For use as a soap substitute

Use as a cleanser in the bath or shower, or for other toiletry purposes, instead of ordinary soap or shower gel.

4.3 Contraindications

Do not use in cases of known sensitivity (especially generalised allergic reaction) to any of the ingredients (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Avoid contact with the eyes.

Local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis) to any of the ingredients are rare but possible in sensitive people.

There are literature reports of chlorhexidine compounds inducing hypersensitivity, including anaphylactic shock. The prevalence of this is not known, but is likely to be very rare. Dermol 500 Lotion should not be administered to anyone with a possible history of allergic reaction to a chlorhexidine compound (see sections 4.3 and 4.8).

Dermol 500 Lotion contains cetostearyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

Instruct patients not to smoke or go near naked flames - risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None known.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

No special precautions.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None known.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Although the lotion has been specially formulated for use on dry or problem skin, in the unlikely event of a reaction discontinue treatment.

Local skin reactions

These reactions are very rare (<1/10,000, based on spontaneous reporting) and may be irritant or allergic in nature. Reactions have been observed occasionally when used excessively as a leave-on application in areas of folded skin such as the anogenital area.

Serious generalised allergic reactions

Very rarely, hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reaction (see sections 4.3 and 4.4) is possible (based on literature for chlorhexidine-containing products).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

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Disclaimer

The drug SPC information (indications, contra-indications, interactions, etc), has been developed in collaboration with eMC (www.medicines.org.uk/emc/). Medthority offers the whole library of SPC documents from eMC.

Medthority will not be held liable for explicit or implicit errors, or missing data.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions 

Drug Licencing

Drugs appearing in this section are approved by UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), & the European Medicines Agency (EMA).