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Salicylic Acid  (Topical)

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Brand Names

In the U.S.—

  • Antinea
  • Buf-Puf Acne Cleansing Bar with Vitamin E
  • Calicylic Creme
  • Clearasil Clearstick Maximum Strength Topical Solution
  • Clearasil Clearstick Regular Strength Topical Solution
  • Clearasil Double Textured Pads Maximum Strength
  • Clearasil Double Textured Pads Regular Strength
  • Clearasil Medicated Deep Cleanser Topical Solution
  • Clear Away
  • Clear by Design Medicated Cleansing Pads
  • Compound W Gel
  • Compound W Liquid
  • Duofilm
  • Duoplant Topical Solution
  • Freezone
  • Gordofilm
  • Hydrisalic
  • Ionax Astringent Skin Cleanser Topical Solution
  • Ionil Plus Shampoo
  • Ionil Shampoo
  • Keralyt
  • Keratex Gel
  • Lactisol
  • Listerex Golden Scrub Lotion
  • Listerex Herbal Scrub Lotion
  • Mediplast
  • Noxzema Anti-Acne Gel
  • Noxzema Anti-Acne Pads Maximum Strength
  • Noxzema Anti-Acne Pads Regular Strength
  • Occlusal-HP Topical Solution
  • Occlusal Topical Solution
  • Off-Ezy Topical Solution Corn & Callus Remover Kit
  • Off-Ezy Topical Solution Wart Removal Kit
  • Oxy Clean Medicated Cleanser
  • Oxy Clean Medicated Pads Maximum Strength
  • Oxy Clean Medicated Pads Regular Strength
  • Oxy Clean Medicated Pads Sensitive Skin
  • Oxy Night Watch Maximum Strength Lotion
  • Oxy Night Watch Sensitive Skin Lotion
  • Paplex
  • Paplex Ultra
  • Propa pH Medicated Acne Cream Maximum Strength
  • Propa pH Medicated Cleansing Pads Maximum Strength
  • Propa pH Medicated Cleansing Pads Sensitive Skin
  • Propa pH Perfectly Clear Skin Cleanser Topical Solution Normal/Combination Skin
  • Propa pH Perfectly Clear Skin Cleanser Topical Solution Oily Skin
  • Propa pH Perfectly Clear Skin Cleanser Topical Solution Sensitive Skin Formula
  • P&S;
  • Salac
  • Salacid
  • Sal-Acid Plaster
  • Salactic Film Topical Solution
  • Sal-Clens Plus Shampoo
  • Sal-Clens Shampoo
  • Saligel
  • Salonil
  • Sal-Plant Gel Topical Solution
  • Sebucare
  • Stri-Dex Dual Textured Pads Maximum Strength
  • Stri-Dex Dual Textured Pads Regular Strength
  • Stri-Dex Dual Textured Pads Sensitive Skin
  • Stri-Dex Maximum Strength Pads
  • Stri-Dex Regular Strength Pads
  • Stri-Dex Super Scrub Pads
  • Trans-Plantar
  • Trans-Ver-Sal
  • Verukan-HP Topical Solution
  • Verukan Topical Solution
  • Viranol
  • Viranol Ultra
  • Wart-Off Topical Solution
  • X-Seb

In Canada—

  • Compound W Gel
  • Compound W Liquid
  • Cuplex Gel
  • Occlusal-HP Topical Solution
  • Occlusal Topical Solution
  • Oxy Clean Extra Strength Medicated Pads
  • Oxy Clean Extra Strength Cleanser Topical Solution
  • Oxy Clean Medicated Soap
  • Oxy Clean Regular Strength Medicated Cleanser Topical Solution
  • Oxy Clean Regular Strength Medicated Pads
  • Oxy Clean Sensitive Skin Cleanser Topical Solution
  • Oxy Clean Sensitive Skin Pads
  • Oxy Night Watch Night Time Acne Medication Extra Strength Lotion
  • Oxy Night Watch Night Time Acne Medication Regular Strength Lotion
  • Oxy Sensitive Skin Vanishing Formula Lotion
  • Salac
  • Tersac Cleansing Gel
  • Trans-Ver-Sal

Category


Description

Salicylic acid (sal-i-SILL-ik AS-id) is used to treat many skin disorders, such as acne, dandruff, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis of the skin and scalp, calluses, corns, common warts, and plantar warts, depending on the dosage form and strength of the preparation.

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 salicylic acid for your medical condition.

Salicylic acid is available in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

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

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

Pregnancy—This medicine may be absorbed through the mother's skin. Salicylic acid has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that salicylic acid causes birth defects when given orally in doses about 6 times the highest dose recommended for topical use in humans. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant, especially if you will be using salicylic acid on large areas of your body.

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

Children—Young children may be at increased risk of unwanted effects because of increased absorption of salicylic acid through the skin. Also, young children may be more likely to get skin irritation from salicylic acid. Salicylic acid should not be applied to large areas of the body, used for long periods of time, or used under occlusive dressing (air-tight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap) in infants and children.

Older adults—Elderly people are more likely to have age-related blood vessel disease. This may increase the chance of problems during treatment with this medicine.

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.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of salicylic acid, especially if you are using a 5% or stronger salicylic acid preparation. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This 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 recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the skin and the chance of salicylic acid poisoning.

If your doctor has ordered an occlusive dressing (airtight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap) to be applied over this medicine, make sure you know how to apply it. Since an occlusive dressing will increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin and the possibility of salicylic acid poisoning, use it only as directed. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes and other mucous membranes, such as the mouth and inside of the nose. If you should accidentally get some in your eyes or on other mucous membranes, immediately flush them with water for 15 minutes.

To use the cream, lotion, or ointment form of salicylic acid:

To use the gel form of salicylic acid:

To use the pad form of salicylic acid:

To use the plaster form of salicylic acid for warts, corns, or calluses:

To use the shampoo form of salicylic acid:

To use the soap form of salicylic acid:

To use the topical solution form of salicylic acid for acne:

To use the topical solution form of salicylic acid for warts, corns, or calluses:

Unless your hands are being treated, wash them immediately after applying this medicine to remove any medicine that may be on them.

Dosing—

The dose of salicylic acid 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 salicylic acid. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

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.

Storage—

To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

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

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


Side Effects of This Medicine

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:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

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



Revised: 07/26/1993

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