In the U.S.—

• Keratolytic, topical

Resorcinol (re-SOR-si-nole) is used to treat acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and other skin disorders. It is also used to treat corns, calluses, and warts.

Resorcinol works by helping to remove hard, scaly, or roughened skin.

Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription. Others are available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of resorcinol for your medical condition.

Resorcinol is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Lotion (U.S.)
• Ointment (U.S. and Canada)

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For resorcinol, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to resorcinol. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Resorcinol may be absorbed through the mother's skin. However, topical resorcinol has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—This medicine may be absorbed through the mother's skin. However, topical resorcinol has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Resorcinol may be absorbed through the skin and should not be used on large areas of the bodies of infants and children. In addition, resorcinol should not be used on wounds, since doing so may cause a blood disease called methemoglobinemia.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of resorcinol in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the skin and the chance of resorcinol poisoning.

Apply enough resorcinol to cover the affected areas, and rub in gently.

Immediately after using this medicine, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes. If you should accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water.

Dosing—

The dose of resorcinol will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of resorcinol. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For lotion dosage form:
  • For acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis:
    • Adults and children—Use as needed.
• For ointment dosage form:
  • For acne, seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, corns, calluses, or warts:
    • Adults and children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

When using resorcinol, do not use any of the following preparations on the same affected area as this medicine, unless otherwise directed by your doctor:

• Abrasive soaps or cleansers
• Alcohol-containing preparations
• Any other topical acne preparation or preparation containing a peeling agent (for example, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfur, or tretinoin [vitamin A acid])
• Cosmetics or soaps that dry the skin
• Medicated cosmetics
• Other topical medicine for the skin

To use any of the above preparations on the same affected area as resorcinol may cause severe irritation of the skin.

This medicine may darken light-colored hair.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common or rare
  • Skin irritation not present before use of this medicine 
  
  

• Symptoms of resorcinol poisoning
  • Diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting;  dizziness;  drowsiness;  headache (severe or continuing);  nervousness or restlessness ;  slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, or troubled breathing;  sweating;  unusual tiredness or weakness 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the following side effect continues or is bothersome:

• More common
  • Redness and peeling of skin (may occur after a few days) 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.