Drug Summaries – Humza Ibrahim
Side effects
Chapter 13 Risk of benign intracranial hypertension, discontinue
treatment if severe headache, nausea, vomiting, or
Skin visual disturbances occur.
1 EXCIPIENTS AND SENSITISATION 3.1 ACIREITIN
Risk of skeletal hypertosis (calcification of ligaments in
Excipients in topical products rarely cause problems. If areas where they attach to your spine) associated
a patch test indicates allergy to an excipient, products with long-term use.
containing the substance should be avoided. For
example Beeswax; Benzyl alcohol; Butylated
3.2 ISOTRETINOIN
hydroxyanisole; Butylated hydroxytoluene;
ORAL: Seek medical advice if psychiatric disorders
Cetostearyl alcohol; Chlorocresol; Edetic acid (EDTA);
such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
Ethylenediamine; Fragrances; Hydroxybenzoates
develop. Avoid wax epilation (risk of epidermal
(parabens); Imidurea; Isopropyl palmitate; N-
stripping), dermabrasion, and laser skin treatments
hexaminium chloride (quaternium 15); Polysorbates;
(risk of scarring) during treatment and for at least 6
Propylene glycol; Sodium metabisulfite; Sorbic acid;
months after stopping; avoid exposure to UV light
Wool fat (including lanolin)
(including sunlight) and use sunscreen and emollients
(including lip balm) from the start of treatment.
2 EMOLLIENTS Discontinue if pancreatitis (abdominal pain, nausea
and vomiting) and visual disturbances occurs.
Hydrate the skin; their effects are short-lived and
TOPICAL: Some redness and skin peeling can initially
should be applied frequently and regularly. Some
occur, but settles with time; if irritation persists,
preparations contain urea to relive itching & hydrate
discontinue treatment. Avoid exposure to UV light
the skin. Emollients should be applied in the direction
(including sunlight) and use sunscreen or protective
of hair growth to reduce the risk of folliculitis.
clothing.
Safety information
Emollients soak into fabric and can become a fire
hazard. Patients should be advised not to smoke, use 4 SALICYLATES
naked flames (or be near people who are smoking or
Salicylate toxicity (nausea and vomiting, abdominal
using naked flames), or go near anything that may
pain, lethargy, tinnitus, and dizziness) may occur
cause a fire while emollients are in contact with their
particularly if applied on large areas of skin or
medical dressings or clothing.
neonatal skin.
Emollient bath and shower preparations make skin
and surfaces slippery—care is needed when bathing.
5 CO-CYPRINDIOL
3 RETINOID AND RELATED DRUGS Although it is an effective hormonal contraceptive, it
should not be used solely for contraception.
Pregnancy prevention
There is an increased risk of venous
Teratogenic risk!! In women of child-bearing potential
thromboembolism in women taking co-cyprindiol,
exclude pregnancy before starting treatment. Women
particularly during the first year of use. It is contra-
should be advised to use at least 1 method of
indicated in those with a history of venous or arterial
contraception but ideally, they should use 2 methods
thromboembolism, or in those with severe or multiple
of contraception. Oral progestogen-only
risk factors for arterial disease or venous
contraceptives are not considered effective. Barrier
thromboembolism.
methods should not be used alone but can be used in
conjunction with other contraceptive methods.
Women should be advised to discontinue treatment
and to seek prompt medical attention if they become
pregnant during treatment.
Chapter 13 – Pg 1
Compiled using the British National Formulary
Side effects
Chapter 13 Risk of benign intracranial hypertension, discontinue
treatment if severe headache, nausea, vomiting, or
Skin visual disturbances occur.
1 EXCIPIENTS AND SENSITISATION 3.1 ACIREITIN
Risk of skeletal hypertosis (calcification of ligaments in
Excipients in topical products rarely cause problems. If areas where they attach to your spine) associated
a patch test indicates allergy to an excipient, products with long-term use.
containing the substance should be avoided. For
example Beeswax; Benzyl alcohol; Butylated
3.2 ISOTRETINOIN
hydroxyanisole; Butylated hydroxytoluene;
ORAL: Seek medical advice if psychiatric disorders
Cetostearyl alcohol; Chlorocresol; Edetic acid (EDTA);
such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts
Ethylenediamine; Fragrances; Hydroxybenzoates
develop. Avoid wax epilation (risk of epidermal
(parabens); Imidurea; Isopropyl palmitate; N-
stripping), dermabrasion, and laser skin treatments
hexaminium chloride (quaternium 15); Polysorbates;
(risk of scarring) during treatment and for at least 6
Propylene glycol; Sodium metabisulfite; Sorbic acid;
months after stopping; avoid exposure to UV light
Wool fat (including lanolin)
(including sunlight) and use sunscreen and emollients
(including lip balm) from the start of treatment.
2 EMOLLIENTS Discontinue if pancreatitis (abdominal pain, nausea
and vomiting) and visual disturbances occurs.
Hydrate the skin; their effects are short-lived and
TOPICAL: Some redness and skin peeling can initially
should be applied frequently and regularly. Some
occur, but settles with time; if irritation persists,
preparations contain urea to relive itching & hydrate
discontinue treatment. Avoid exposure to UV light
the skin. Emollients should be applied in the direction
(including sunlight) and use sunscreen or protective
of hair growth to reduce the risk of folliculitis.
clothing.
Safety information
Emollients soak into fabric and can become a fire
hazard. Patients should be advised not to smoke, use 4 SALICYLATES
naked flames (or be near people who are smoking or
Salicylate toxicity (nausea and vomiting, abdominal
using naked flames), or go near anything that may
pain, lethargy, tinnitus, and dizziness) may occur
cause a fire while emollients are in contact with their
particularly if applied on large areas of skin or
medical dressings or clothing.
neonatal skin.
Emollient bath and shower preparations make skin
and surfaces slippery—care is needed when bathing.
5 CO-CYPRINDIOL
3 RETINOID AND RELATED DRUGS Although it is an effective hormonal contraceptive, it
should not be used solely for contraception.
Pregnancy prevention
There is an increased risk of venous
Teratogenic risk!! In women of child-bearing potential
thromboembolism in women taking co-cyprindiol,
exclude pregnancy before starting treatment. Women
particularly during the first year of use. It is contra-
should be advised to use at least 1 method of
indicated in those with a history of venous or arterial
contraception but ideally, they should use 2 methods
thromboembolism, or in those with severe or multiple
of contraception. Oral progestogen-only
risk factors for arterial disease or venous
contraceptives are not considered effective. Barrier
thromboembolism.
methods should not be used alone but can be used in
conjunction with other contraceptive methods.
Women should be advised to discontinue treatment
and to seek prompt medical attention if they become
pregnant during treatment.
Chapter 13 – Pg 1
Compiled using the British National Formulary
