Drug reference
Hyperhidrosis affecting axillae, hands or feet ▶TO THE SKIN Skin ▶Adult: Apply once daily, apply liquid formulation at night to dry skin, wash off the following morning, reduce frequency as condition improves—do not bathe immediately before use Hyperhidrosis | Bromidrosis | Intertrigo | Prevention of tinea pedis and related conditions ▶TO THE SKIN ▶Adult: Apply powder to dry skin
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Avoid contact with eyes. avoid contact with mucous membranes. avoid use on broken or irritated skin. do not shave axillae or use depilatories within 12 hours of application
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A 30 mL pack of aluminium chloride hexahydrate 20% is on sale to the public.
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Skin reactions
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Liquid CAUTIONARY AND ADVISORY LABELS 15 ▶Anhydrol (Dermal Laboratories Ltd) Aluminium chloride 200 mg per 1 ml Anhydrol Forte 20% solution | 60 ml p £2.51 DT = £2.51 ▶Driclor (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) Aluminium chloride 200 mg per 1 ml Driclor 20% solution | 60 ml p £5.41 DT = £2.51 Pruritus Topical local antipruritics Overview Pruritus may be caused by systemic disease (such as obstructive jaundice, endocrine disease, chronic renal disease, iron deficiency, and certain malignant diseases), skin disease (e.g. psoriasis, eczema, urticaria, and scabies), drug hypersensitivity, or as a side-effect of opioid analgesics. Where possible, the underlying causes should be treated. An emollient may be of value where the pruritus is associated with dry skin. Pruritus that occurs in otherwise healthy elderly people can also be treated with an emollient. Levomenthol cream p. 1333 can be used to relieve pruritus; it exerts a cooling effect on the skin. Local antipruritics have a role in the treatment of pruritus in palliative care. Preparations containing crotamiton p. 1333 are sometimes used but are of uncertain value. Preparations containing calamine are often ineffective. A topical preparation containing doxepin 5% p. 1333 is licensed for the relief of pruritus in eczema; it can cause drowsiness and there may be a risk of sensitisation. Pruritus is common in biliary obstruction, especially in primary biliary cirrhosis and drug-induced cholestasis. Oral administration of colestyramine p. 210 is the treatment of choice. Topical antihistamines and local anaesthetics are only marginally effective and occasionally cause hypersensitivity. For insect stings and insect bites, a short course of a topical corticosteroid is appropriate. Short-term treatment with a sedating antihistamine may help in insect stings and in intractable pruritus where sedation is desirable. Calamine preparations are of little value for the treatment of insect stings or bites. Topical local anaesthetics are indicated for the relief of local pain. Preparations may be absorbed, especially through mucosal surfaces, therefore excessive application should be avoided and they should preferably not be used for more than 3 days; not generally suitable for young children and are less suitable for prescribing. Topical antihistamines should be avoided in eczema and are not recommended for longer than 3 days. They are less suitable for prescribing. Other drugs used for Pruritus Alimemazine tartrate, p. 297. Cetirizine hydrochloride, p. 294. Chlorphenamine maleate, p. 297. Coal tar with calamine, p. 1320. Hydroxyzine hydrochloride, p. 299. Levocetirizine hydrochloride, p. 295 ANTIPRURITICS
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Avoid contact with clothing.
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Apply once daily, apply liquid formulation at
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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Apply powder to dry skin
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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