In the U.S.—

In Canada—

• Antiacne agent, topical
• Keratolytic, topical

Resorcinol and sulfur ( re-SOR-si-nole and SUL-fur) combination is used to treat acne and similar skin conditions.

This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine for your medical condition.

Resorcinol and sulfur combination is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical
• Cake (Canada)
• Cream (U.S. and Canada)
• Gel (Canada)
• Lotion (U.S. and Canada)
• Stick (U.S.)

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

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to resorcinol or sulfur. 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 and sulfur combination has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—Resorcinol may be absorbed through the mother's skin. However, topical resorcinol and sulfur combination 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 or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of resorcinol and sulfur in the elderly with use in other age groups.

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.

Use this medicine only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often 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 resorcinol poisoning.

Before using this medicine, wash the affected areas thoroughly and gently pat dry. Then apply a small amount to the affected areas and spread on gently, but do not rub in.

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 and sulfur combination 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 and sulfur combination. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For acne and similar skin conditions:
  • For cake dosage form:
    • Adults and children—Use two or three times a day.
  • For cream dosage form:
    • Adults and children—Use one to three times a day.
  • For gel and stick dosage forms:
    • Adults and children—Use as needed.
  • For lotion dosage form:
    • Adults and children—Use two times a day.

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 and sulfur combination, 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, 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 this medicine may cause severe irritation of the skin.

Do not use any topical mercury-containing preparation, such as ammoniated mercury ointment, on the same affected area as this medicine . To do so may cause a foul odor, may be irritating to the skin, and may stain the skin black. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

This medicine (depending on the product you are using) may darken light-colored hair. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

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 the following side effect occurs:

• 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. However, check with your health care professional if the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

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

• Less common
  • Unusual dryness of skin 
  
  

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