Aureocort

Aureocort 3.09% w/w/ 0.1% w/w Ointment

Aureocort Ointment is a topical preparation containing the active ingredients chlortetracycline hydrochloride 3.09 % w/w and triamcinolone acetonide 0.1 % w/w.

Excipient(s) with known effect

Wool Fat 10.000 % w/w

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Ointment for topical administration.

Yellow, opaque, smooth, homogeneous ointment

Aureocort combines the anti-inflammatory action of triamcinolone acetonide with the anti-infective properties of chlortetracycline.

It is indicated in the treatment of secondarily infected atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, eczema, neurodermatitis, otitis externa, seborrhoeic dermatitis, varicose eczema, vesiculo-pustular dermatitis. It may also be used in the treatment of infected insect bites.

Posology:

Adults, Paediatric population (children over 8 years) and the elderly

Aureocort Ointment should be applied sparingly to the affected area, either directly or on sterile gauze, two or three times daily.

Aureocort treatment should be limited to seven days. (see section 4.4)

Avoid contact with eyes (see section 4.4)

In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, taking into account physiological changes in ageing skin (see section 4.4)

Method of administration:

Topical use

Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

The use of Aureocort is contra-indicated in tuberculous, fungal or viral lesions of the skin (herpes simplex, vaccinia and varicella), and primary bacterial infections, e.g. impetigo, pyoderma, furunculosis, in acne vulgaris rosacea, perioral dermatitis and widespread plaque psoriasis (see Section 4.4)

General Use

Corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone, may be absorbed in sufficient amounts to cause systemic corticosteroids effects, if applied to large areas, to broken skin or under occlusive dressings. Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids has produced reversible hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, manifestation of Cushing's syndrome hyperglycaemia, and glucosuria in some patients.

Minor degrees of adrenal suppression may occur when Aureocort Ointment is applied over relatively small areas under an occlusive dressing. Occlusion should not be used when treating conditions of the face.

Chlortetracycline, like other tetracycline-class antibiotics, may cause foetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman (see section 4.6).

The use of corticosteroids on infected areas should be continuously and carefully observed, bearing in mind the potential spreading of infections (caused by organisms not sensitive to chlortetracycline) by anti-inflammatory corticosteroids. It may be advisable to discontinue corticosteroid therapy and/or initiate alternative antibacterial measures in these circumstances. Generalised dermatological conditions may require systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Steroid-antibiotic combinations should not be continued for more than 7 days in the absence of any clinical improvement, since in this situation occult extension of infection may occur due to the masking effect of the steroid. Extended or recurrent application may increase the risk of contact sensitisation and should be avoided.

Hypersensitivity reactions to the anti-infective component may be masked by the presence of the corticosteroid.

Phototoxic reactions can occur in individuals using chlortetracycline, and are characterized by severe burns of exposed surfaces resulting from direct exposure of patients to sunlight during therapy with chlortetracycline. Patients exposed to direct sunlight or ultraviolet light (artificial sunlight) should be advised that this reaction can occur, and treatment should be discontinued at the first evidence of erythema of the skin.

A moderately potent or potent corticosteroid may be appropriate for severe atopic eczema on the limbs, for 1–2 weeks only, switching to a less potent preparation as the condition improves. In an acute flare-up of atopic eczema, it may be appropriate to use more potent formulations of topical corticosteroids for a short period to regain control of the condition. A very potent corticosteroid should be initiated under the supervision of a specialist. Continuous daily application of a mild corticosteroid such as hydrocortisone 1% is equivalent to a potent corticosteroid such as triamcinolone 0.1% applied intermittently.

Avoid prolonged use on the face (and keep away from eyes).Caution should also be applied when using this preparation on the periorbital area of the face, as it can induce ocular complications that include cataract, glaucoma, retarded healing or corneal abrasion, extension of herpetic infection, and increased susceptibility of bacterial and fungal infection.

Aureocort ointment should be used with caution in patients with psoriasis as it may result in rebound relapses following the development of tolerance, including generalised pustular psoriasis. It may also result in local and systemic toxicity due to impaired barrier function of the skin. Absorption is more likely after repeated applications, possibly by greater skin permeability in psoriatic areas than normal skin. Use in cases where the approved indication/s co-exist with psoriasis.

Paediatric population

Paediatric patients may demonstrate a greater susceptibility to topical corticosteroid induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression and Cushing's syndrome than mature patients because of a larger skin surface area to body weight ratio and are also therefore more susceptible to systemic toxicity.

HPA axis suppression (and Addisonian crisis upon withdrawal), Cushing's syndrome, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in children receiving topical corticosteroids. Administration of topical corticosteroids to children should be limited to the least amount compatible with an effective therapeutic regimen. Avoid prolonged use in children and use under specialist supervision.

Chronic corticosteroids therapy may interfere with growth and development of children.

The use of drugs of the tetracycline class during tooth development may result in permanent discolouration of the teeth (see section 4.6).

This adverse reaction is more common during long-term use of the drug, has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported. Tetracycline drugs, therefore, should not be used during tooth development unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.

To reduce the theoretical risk of damage to permanent dentition to tetracyclines. Aureocort ointment should not be used in children under 8 years of age, unless other drugs are likely to be effective or are contra-indicated.

Elderly

Clinical studies of topical triamcinolone acetonide-chlortetracycline hydrochloride did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, taking into account physiological changes in ageing skin, usually starting at the low end of dosing range.

Visual disturbance

Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical corticosteroid use. If a patient presents with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances, the patient should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids.

No interaction studies have been performed

Pregnancy:

Topical administration of corticosteroids to pregnant rabbits has been reported to cause abnormalities of foetal development, including cleft palate and intrauterine growth retardation at relatively low doses. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women on tetratogenic effects from topically applied triamcinolone acetonide-chlortetracycline hydrochloride preparations. Chlortetracycline, like other tetracycline-class antibiotics, may cause foetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. As this agent is absorbed percutaneously, teratogenicity following topical application cannot be excluded. If any tetracycline is used during pregnancy or if the patient becomes pregnant while using this drug, the patient should be informed of the potential hazard to the foetus.

The use of corticosteroid/antibiotic preparations, containing drugs of the tetracycline class, during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discolouration of the teeth (yellow-grey-brown). This adverse reaction, related only to tetracyclines, is more common during long-term use of the drug, but has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported. Tetracycline drugs, therefore, should not be used during tooth development unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.

Triamcinolone acetonide-chlortetracycline hydrochloride topical preparations should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroid-chlortetracycline antibiotic preparations result in systemic absorption to produce quantities in human milk, and it is therefore advised that this preparation is not used during lactation.

Fertility

There is currently no available data.

Not relevant.

The following adverse reactions are classified by system organ class and ranked under heading of frequency using the following convention:

Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

a) Under certain circumstances sufficient amounts of topical corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone, can be absorbed to cause systemic corticosteroid effects including adrenal suppression and Cushing's syndrome. Cessation of topical steroid therapy after an extended treatment period can result in Addisonian crisis.

b) Use of topical corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone, in the periorbital region may result in ocular complications,

Paediatric population:

Chlortetracycline, like other tetracycline-class antibiotics, may cause foetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman, and may cause permanent discolouration of the teeth during development in children up to the age of 8 years (see section 4.6).

A few patients may be allergic to any of the components. If an adverse reaction occurs, medication should be discontinued.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting of 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, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Symptoms:

Under certain circumstances topically applied corticosteroids can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systemic effects including Cushing's syndrome.

Management

Cessation of topical steroid therapy after an extended treatment period can result in an Addisonian crisis.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Corticosteroids, moderately potent, combinations with antibiotics. ATC code: D07CB01

Aureocort Ointment contains two active ingredients:

Absorption:

Topically applied tetracycline preparations are not absorbed into the general circulation to any significant degree.

Absorption of triamcinolone acetonide from topically applied preparations is usually minimal. However, corticosteroids may be absorbed in sufficient amounts to cause systemic effects if applied to large areas, when the skin is broken, or under occlusive dressings.

Nothing of any relevance to the prescriber.

Paraffin white soft, wool fat.

Not Applicable.

3 years.

Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original pack..

Collapsible aluminium tubes with white, high density polyethylene caps.

Pack size: 15 grams

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Mercury Pharmaceuticals Ltd,

Capital House,

85 King William Street,

London EC4N 7BL, UK

PL 12762/0143

1^st May 2005

19/06/2020