What is Optiderm and when is it used?

Optiderm Crème With the active ingredients polidocanol and urea, it leads to moisture regulation and stabilization of the skin condition in skin diseases with dehydration and itching. The water-binding capacity improves and the dry and chapped areas of the skin become more oily.

The itching, which is often very debilitating, is permanently reduced.

Optiderm is used for dry and/or itchy skin and to support the treatment of various skin diseases, such as atopic eczema (neurodermatitis).

For very dry, itchy skin, you can use the more lipid-rich fat cream called Optiderm F Crème. Optiderm Lotion is ideal for large-area application.

When must Optiderm not be used?

Optiderm Crème must not be used in acute erythroderma
(= inflammatory reddening and scaling of the skin all over the body) and for acutely inflammatory, weeping and infected skin processes.

The preparation should not be used in case of hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

When is caution required when using Optiderm?

This medicine contains 10 mg benzyl alcohol per 1 g ointment. Benzyl alcohol can cause allergic reactions. Benzyl alcohol may cause mild local irritation.

Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

After application to injured or inflamed skin, irritation (e.g. reddening, burning) may occur.

The active ingredient urea can increase the penetration through the skin barrier of other topically applied drugs (e.g. corticosteroids, dithranol and fluorouracil) when used at the same time.

Reports from the specialist literature indicate that the use of products containing urea in children can lead to mostly brief burning sensations on the skin. Please consult your doctor before using Optiderm Crème on children.

If Optiderm Crème is used in the genital or anal area and latex products (e.g. condoms, diaphragms) at the same time, the "high-viscosity paraffin" additive contained in the product may reduce its functionality and thus impair the safety of these products.

If the skin condition worsens or the itching does not decrease after a week of treatment with Optiderm Cream, you should consult a doctor, pharmacist or druggist.

Tell your doctor, pharmacist or druggist if you

• suffer from other illnesses,
• have allergies or
• take other medicines (including those you bought yourself!) or use them externally!

Can Optiderm be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Based on previous experience, there is no known risk for the child when used as directed. However, systematic scientific investigations have never been carried out. As a precaution, you should avoid taking medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding or ask your doctor, pharmacist or druggist for advice.

When you are breastfeeding, do not use Optiderm Crème in the breast area.

How do you use Optiderm?

Unless otherwise prescribed, Optiderm Crème is applied evenly to the skin two to three times a day. The duration of the application depends on the clinical picture and is on average 3 weeks. In the case of persistently dry skin, the preparation can also be used over a longer period of time.

The use and safety of Optiderm^® cream in children under the age of 12 has not yet been tested.

Stick to the dosage given in the package leaflet or as prescribed by your doctor. If you think the medicine is too weak or too strong, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or druggist.

What side effects can Optiderm have?

Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1000)

After application burning or reddening, itching or pustules can occur.

Contact dermatitis, hives, rash, pustular rash (pustular rash) are also possible.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or druggist. This also applies in particular to side effects that are not listed in this leaflet.

What else needs to be considered?

The medicinal product may only be used up to the date marked «EXP» on the container.

Use by after opening

6 months.

Storage advice

Do not store above 25 °C. Do not refrigerate; do not freeze.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Further information

Your doctor, pharmacist or druggist can provide you with further information.

What does Optiderm contain?

1 g cream contains:

Active ingredients

Urea 50 mg, macrogol-6-lauryl ether (Polidocanol 470) 30 mg.

Excipients

Purified water, octyldodecanol, poly(methyl, phenylsiloxane), stearic acid 25, dimethicone, glycerol 85%, viscous paraffin, cetyl palmitate, polysorbate 40, carbomer 940, benzyl alcohol 10 mg, trometamol.

Approval number

50354 (Swissmedic).

Where can you get Optiderm? What packs are available?

In pharmacies and drugstores, without a doctor's prescription.

Cream: 50g and 100g tubes.

Authorization holder

Almirall AG, 8304 Wallisellen.

This leaflet was last checked by the Medicines Agency (Swissmedic) in November 2019.

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