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Drug information

OTC
Read time: 1 mins
Last updated: 18 Jan 2024

Summary of product characteristics


1. Name of the medicinal product

AnthisanTM Cream.


2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Mepyramine maleate BP 2.0% w/w.


3. Pharmaceutical form

Cream.


4.1. Therapeutic indications

Symptomatic relief in insect stings and bites and nettle rash.

Route of Administration: Topical.


4.2. Posology and method of administration

Adults, elderly and children. Anthisan Cream should be applied directly to the affected parts two or three times a day for up to three days. Early application is essential to obtain the optimum response.


4.3. Contraindications

Anthisan Cream should not be used in eczematous conditions or on extensively broken skin surfaces.


4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Repeated application of Anthisan Cream for periods longer than a few days is not recommended and treatment should be discontinued immediately if skin sensitisation occurs.


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

No significant interactions described.


4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

There is no evidence of the safety of mepyramine maleate in human pregnancy, but it has been widely used for many years without apparent ill consequence. Absorption of a significant amount after topical application is unlikely in the prescribed method of use, nevertheless, Anthisan Cream should not be used during pregnancy or lactation, unless considered essential.


4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

May theoretically be extensively absorbed through the skin when applied over large areas and cause somnolence and mild disorientation.


4.8. Undesirable effects

Skin sensitisation has been reported on rare occasions.

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 Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.


4.9. Overdose

A 25g tube of Anthisan Cream contains 500mg mepyramine maleate. If the product is ingested in significant amounts, this could be life-threatening in young children.

The chief symptom of overdosage is unconsciousness and there may be convulsions in the intervening periods. The stomach should be washed out. Stimuli liable to provoke convulsions should be avoided, but if this complication should occur, parenteral Diazepam should be given; sedatives which are liable to increase respiratory depression should be avoided. Other measures such as artificial respiration and oxygen may also be required and an antibiotic can be given as a prophylactic against pneumonia.


5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties

Mepyramine maleate is an antihistamine with antipruritic and local analgesic actions.


5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties

No pharmacokinetic data available by any route of administration.


5.3. Preclinical safety data

There are no findings of relevance to the prescriber, additional to those already included elsewhere in the SPC.


6.1. List of excipients

Ceto-stearyl alcohol BP, Polyethylene glycol 600 monostearate, Castor oil BP, Methyl hydroxybenzoate BP, Foin coupe, Silicone antifoam, Purified water BP.


6.2. Incompatibilities

Not applicable.


6.3. Shelf life

36 months.


6.4. Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 30°C.


6.5. Nature and contents of container

Collapsible aluminium tube with extended nozzle and polythene cap containing 25g cream.


6.6. Special precautions for disposal and other handling

None stated.


7. Marketing authorisation holder

Phoenix Labs Unlimited Company,

Suite 12, Bunkilla Plaza,

Bracetown Business Park,

Clonee,

Co. Meath,

Ireland.


8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 35104/0039


9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

4th April 2002


10. Date of revision of the text

30/06/2023

LEGAL CLASSIFICATION

P

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Symptomatic relief in insect stings and bites and nettle rash.

Route of Administration: Topical.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Adults, elderly and children. Anthisan Cream should be applied directly to the affected parts two or three times a day for up to three days. Early application is essential to obtain the optimum response.

4.3 Contraindications

Anthisan Cream should not be used in eczematous conditions or on extensively broken skin surfaces.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Repeated application of Anthisan Cream for periods longer than a few days is not recommended and treatment should be discontinued immediately if skin sensitisation occurs.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

No significant interactions described.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

There is no evidence of the safety of mepyramine maleate in human pregnancy, but it has been widely used for many years without apparent ill consequence. Absorption of a significant amount after topical application is unlikely in the prescribed method of use, nevertheless, Anthisan Cream should not be used during pregnancy or lactation, unless considered essential.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

May theoretically be extensively absorbed through the skin when applied over large areas and cause somnolence and mild disorientation.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Skin sensitisation has been reported on rare occasions.

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 Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

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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).