INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS
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This leaflet answers some common questions about MICANOL. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you using MICANOL against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
MICANOL is used for the treatment of chronic psoriasis including scalp psoriasis. Psoriasis is a stubborn skin disorder with raised, rough, reddened areas covered with dry, fine silvery scales.
The skin cells divide more rapidly with psoriasis. MICANOL acts by slowing down this rapid division.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why MICANOL has been prescribed for you.
If you are not sure whether you should start using Micanol, talk to your doctor.
If you are not sure whether you should start using MICANOL, talk to your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are using other creams, ointments or lotions or taking any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
These medicines may be affected by MICANOL, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while using MICANOL.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
These directions may differ form the information contained in this leaflet.
It is important to use MICANOL exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you use it less often than you should, it may not work as well and your psoriasis may not improve. Using it more often than you should may not improve your psoriasis any faster and may cause or increase side effects.
Apply MICANOL cream only to the affected areas and be careful to avoid contact with normal skin. Use only a small amount, rubbing it in gently and thoroughly until it no longer smears.
MICANOL cream should be applied once a day and removed by washing off no longer than 30 minutes after application. Your doctor will tell you how long to leave the cream on. The cream must be washed off using plenty of lukewarm water only. This may be easiest in a bath or shower, particularly if the treated area is large.
MICANOL is specially formulated so that it is easily washed off using lukewarm water only. Do not use very hot water or soap as these may increase the staining from MICANOL. Soap may be used for washing after the MICANOL has been rinsed off.
For use on the scalp, first wash the hair with shampoo, rinse and then apply MICANOL cream while the hair is still damp. Leave in contact for no longer than 30 minutes and then rinse off using plenty of lukewarm water only. Further shampoo may be used after the cream has been removed.
MICANOL can stain the skin. To avoid this, you may wish to wear disposable gloves when applying it. Always wash your hands after application.
Your doctor will tell you how long to use MICANOL.
If you use MICANOL for longer than your doctor tells you, the chance of side effects may increase.
If it is almost time for your next application, skip the application you missed and use the cream when you are next meant to. Otherwise, use it as soon as you remember, and then go back to using your cream as you would normally.
Do not try to make up for the amount you missed by applying more than you would normally use.
Immediately telephone your doctor of Poisons Information Centre [New Zealand (03) 474-7000], or go to the accident and emergency centre at your nearest hospital, if you or anyone else swallows MICANOL.
Keep the telephone numbers of these places/services handy.
Wash your hands thoroughly after using MICANOL cream.
Tell all the doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are using MICANOL.
If you feel that MICANOL is not helping your psoriasis, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Go back to your doctor if the skin becomes extremely red or if there is a burning feeling, or if the psoriasis spreads.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used MICANOL exactly as prescribed. Otherwise your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
If you become pregnant while you are using MICANOL tell your doctor.
If you are about to start taking any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are using MICANOL.
Do not use MICANOL on the face. In particular keep it away from the eyes and mouth. If any gets in the eyes accidentally, wash the eyes with plenty of lukewarm water.
Do not use MICANOL on the lining of the mouth or on skin areas that rub together such as under the arm or in the groin or the genitalia.
Do not apply to blistered, raw or oozing areas of the skin.
Do not use MICANOL under dressings or on large areas of skin unless your doctor tells you.
Do not use very hot water or soap to wash MICANOL off the skin, as these may increase the staining from MICANOL.
Do not give MICANOL to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours .
Do not use MICANOL to treat other conditions unless your doctor tells you to.
Your doctor has prescribed MICANOL specially for you and your condition. If you use it for another condition it may not work or make the condition worse.
Do not use large amounts of MICANOL for a long time. If you use large amounts for a long time, the chance of absorption through the skin and the chance of side effects increases. Ask you doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned about the length of time you have been using MICANOL.
MICANOL may stain fabrics and contact should be avoided if possible. If staining occurs, rinse and then wash with lukewarm water only as soon as possible. To prevent staining of the bath or shower, rinse with lukewarm water after use. Should any deposit be left on the surface a suitable cleaner may be used.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using MICANOL.
Micanol helps most people with psoriasis but it may have unwanted effects in a few people.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
MICANOL may cause other side effects. If you have any other side effects, check with your doctor.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Staining of the treated and surrounding skin may appear. This usually disappears 1 to 2 weeks after treatment has stopped. The staining may also affect the fingernails and the hair.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Keep MICANOL in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat can destroy some medicines.
If your doctor tells you to stop using MICANOL or it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any cream left over.
MICANOL is a pale yellow cream, dispensed in a tube containing 50g of cream.
The active ingredient of MICANOL 1% Cream is dithranol in a concentration of 1% w/w. It also contains the following inactive ingredients: glyceryl monolaurate, glyceryl monomyristate, anhydrous citric acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water.
In New Zealand:
AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited
P.O. Box 87-266
Meadowbank
AUCKLAND
Date of preparation: 7 November, 2000