Which Emollient?

Prescribing information can be found overleaf.

ECZEMAANDDERMATITIS.CO.UK
ECZEMAANDDERMATITIS.CO.UK
ECZEMAANDDERMATITIS.CO.UK
ECZEMAANDDERMATITIS.CO.UK
Code: 10/15 DERM-1081014-0001 Date of preparation: October 2013
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, 2013. All rights reserved.
a
The products included in the table above represent the topical emollients that have had over 100,000 prescriptions in Primary Care during the period from 09/201208/2013. IMS Health, Xponent BPI MAT 09/201208/2013.
Or sodium salts of similar sulphated higher primary aliphatic alcohols, as components of Emulsifying Wax BP.
* Different proprietary preparations may contain other preservatives.
Either methyl hydroxybenzoate, ethyl hydroxybenzoate, butyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate or a combination.
AB = Anti-bacterial.
Lotions and gels Potential allergens or irritants
Aveeno Lotion
3
Benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate, stearyl alcohol
Dermol 500 Lotion
14
Benzalkonium chloride, cetostearyl alcohol, chlorhexidine, isopropyl myristate, phenoxyethanol
Doublebase Gel
15
Isopropyl myristate, phenoxyethanol, triethanolamine
Ointments Potential allergens or irritants
Diprobase Ointment
1
Emulsifying Ointment BP
2
Cetostearyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate

Epaderm Ointment
3
Cetostearyl alcohol
Hydromol Ointment
3
Cetostearyl alcohol
Liquid and White Soft
Paraffn Ointment
3
When a patient has a reaction to their emollient it is useful to identify which of its ingredients may be causing a problem,
so you can prescribe an alternative that is free from the potential sensitiser or irritant.
This chart lists substances that are widely recognised as being potential sensitisers or irritants contained in various emollients.
Since many other substances may rarely cause sensitisation, it is not exhaustive.
a
However, if a patient has reacted to one
product, it may help to avoid others containing the same allergens or irritants.
Creams Potential allergens or irritants
Aqueous Cream BP
46*
Cetostearyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, sodium lauryl sulphate

Aveeno Cream
3
Benzyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate
Calmurid Cream
3
Urea
Cetomacrogol
7
Cetostearyl alcohol, chlorocresol
Cetraben Emollient Cream
8
Cetostearyl alcohol, parabens,

phenoxyethanol
Dermol Cream
9
(AB) Benzalkonium chloride, cetostearyl alcohol, chlorhexidine, isopropyl myristate, phenoxyethanol
Diprobase Cream
10
Cetostearyl alcohol, chlorocresol
E45 Cream
11
Anhydrous lanolin, cetyl alcohol, parabens

Epaderm Cream
3
Cetostearyl alcohol, chlorocresol
Hydromol Cream
12
Cetostearyl alcohol, isopropyl myristate, myristyl myristate, parabens,

phenoxyethanol
Oilatum Cream
13
Benzyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol, macrogol 1000 monostearate, polyvinylpyrrolidone,
potassium sorbate
Zerobase
3
Cetostearyl alcohol, chlorocresol
101167 MSD DIP Sensitiser Card Update_Aug 13.indd 1 14/11/2013 10:07
Potential allergens or irritants
Potential allergens or irritants Products containing them
Benzalkonium chloride Dermol 500 Lotion,
14
Dermol Cream
9
Benzyl alcohol Aveeno Cream,
3
Aveeno Lotion,
3
Oilatum Cream
13
Cetyl/cetostearyl/
cetearyl/stearyl alcohol
Aqueous Cream BP,
46*
Aveeno Cream,
3
Aveeno Lotion,
3
Cetomacrogol,
7
Cetraben Emollient
Cream,
8
Dermol 500 Lotion,
14
Dermol Cream,
9
Diprobase Cream,
10
E45 Cream,
11
Emulsifying
Ointment BP,
2
Epaderm Cream,
3
Epaderm Ointment,
3
Hydromol Cream,
12
Hydromol Ointment,
3

Oilatum Cream,
13
Zerobase
3
Chlorhexidine Dermol 500 Lotion,
14
Dermol Cream
9
Chlorocresol Cetomacrogol,
7
Diprobase Cream,
10
Epaderm Cream,
3
Zerobase
3
Isopropyl myristate/
myristyl myristate/
myristyl lactate
Dermol 500 Lotion,
14
Dermol Cream,
9
Doublebase Gel,
15
Hydromol Cream
12
Lanolin and derivatives E45 Cream
11
Palmitic acid and esters Aveeno Cream,
3
Aveeno Lotion
3

Parabens
Cetraben Emollient Cream,
8
E45 Cream,
11
Hydromol Cream
12
Phenoxyethanol
Aqueous Cream BP,
46*
Cetraben Emollient Cream,
8
Dermol 500 Lotion,
14
Dermol Cream,
9

Doublebase Gel,
15
Hydromol Cream
12
Polyethylene glycol/macrogol
1000 monostearate and esters
Oilatum Cream
13
Polyvinylpyrrolidone Oilatum Cream
13
Sodium lauryl sulphate

Aqueous Cream BP,

46*
Emulsifying Ointment BP
2
Sorbic acid/sorbates Oilatum Cream
13
Triethanolamine Doublebase Gel
15
Urea Calmurid
3
a
The products included in the table above represent the topical emollients that have had over 100,000 prescriptions in Primary Care during the period from 09/201208/2013. IMS Health, Xponent BPI MAT 09/201208/2013.
* Different proprietary preparations may contain other preservatives.
Or sodium salts of similar sulphated higher primary aliphatic alcohols, as components of Emulsifying Wax BP.
References:
1. Diprobase Ointment SPC, last updated 04/04/11 (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd). 2. Emulsifying Ointment SPC, last updated 04/05/11 (Pinewood Healthcare). 3. BNF 66, September 2013. 4. Aqueous Cream SPC, last updated 15/04/11
(Pinewood Laboratories Ltd). 5. Aqueous Cream SPC, last updated 03/11/11 (Ecolab Ltd). 6. Aqueous Cream SPC, last updated 18/02/13 (Thornton & Ross Ltd). 7. Cetomacrogol SPC, last updated 01/11/11 (Thornton & Ross Ltd).
8. Cetraben Emollient Cream SPC, last updated 26/10/12 (Genus Pharmaceuticals). 9. Dermol Cream SPC, last updated 02/12/10 (Dermal Laboratories Ltd). 10. Diprobase Cream SPC, last updated 13/07/12 (Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd).
11. E45 Cream SPC, last updated 12/10/11 (Forum Health Products Ltd). 12. Hydromol Cream SPC, last updated 24/03/09 (Alliance Pharmaceuticals). 13. Oilatum Cream SPC, last updated 21/03/13 (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare).
14. Dermol 500 Lotion SPC, last updated 02/12/10 (Dermal Laboratories Ltd). 15. Doublebase Gel SPC, last updated 11/09/07 (Dermal Laboratories Ltd).
Please refer to the full SPC text before prescribing this product. Adverse events
should be reported. Reporting forms and information can be found at
www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. Adverse events should also be reported to MSD
(tel: 01992 467272).
Uses: Diprobase Cream and Ointment are emollients, with moisturising and protective
properties, indicated for follow-up treatment with topical steroids or in spacing such treatments.
They may also be used as diluents for topical steroids. Diprobase products are recommended
for the symptomatic relief of red, infamed, damaged, dry or chapped skin, the protection of
raw skin areas and as a pre-bathing emollient for dry/eczematous skin to alleviate drying
effects. Dosage: The cream or ointment should be thinly applied to cover the affected area
completely, massaging gently and thoroughly into the skin. Frequency of application should
be established by the physician. Generally, Diprobase Cream and Ointment can be used
as often as required. Contra-indications: Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. Side-
effects: Skin reactions including pruritus, rash, erythema, skin exfoliation, burning sensation,
hypersensitivity, pain, dry skin and bullous dermatitis have been reported with product use.
Package Quantities: Cream: 50g tubes, 500g pump dispensers; Ointment: 50g tubes, 500g
tubs. Basic NHS Costs: Cream: 50g tube = 1.28, 500g pump = 6.32; Ointment: 50g tube
= 1.28, 500g tub = 5.99. Legal Category: GSL. Marketing Authorisation Numbers:
Cream: PL 00025/0575; Ointment: PL 00025/0574. Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 9BU, UK.
PI Code: DERM-1053797-0000. Date of Revision of Text: September 2012.
Diprobase Prescribing Information
(Either methyl hydroxybenzoate,
ethyl hydroxybenzoate, butyl hydroxybenzoate,
propyl hydroxybenzoate or a combination.)
When a patient has a reaction to their emollient it is useful to identify which of its ingredients may be causing a problem,
so you can prescribe an alternative that is free from the potential sensitiser or irritant.
This chart lists substances that are widely recognised as being potential sensitisers or irritants contained in various emollients.
Since many other substances may rarely cause sensitisation, it is not exhaustive.
a
However, if a patient has reacted to one
product, it may help to avoid others containing the same allergens or irritants.
ECZEMAANDDERMATITIS.CO.UK
ECZEMAANDDERMATITIS.CO.UK
ECZEMAANDDERMATITIS.CO.UK
ECZEMAANDDERMATITIS.CO.UK
Code: 10/15 DERM-1081014-0001 Date of preparation: October 2013
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited, 2013. All rights reserved.
101167 MSD DIP Sensitiser Card Update_Aug 13.indd 2 14/11/2013 10:07