Salicylic acid (topical route)
Available brands
Akurza, Aliclen, Avosil, Betasal, Compound W, Corn Removing, Dermarest Psoriasis, DHS Sal, Drytex, Duofilm, Duoplant, Durasal, Freezone, Fung-O, Gets-It Corn/Callus Remover, Gordofilm, Hydrisalic, Ionil, Ionil Plus, Keralyt, Keralyt Scalp, Lupicare, Mediplast, Mg217 Sal-Acid, Mosco Corn & Callus Remover, Neutrogena, Occlusal-HP, Off-Ezy, Oxy Balance, P & S, Palmer's Skin Success Acne Cleanser, Propa pH, Salac, Sal-Acid Plaster, Salactic Film, Salacyn, Salex, Salitop, Salkera, Sal-Plant Gel, Salvax, Seba-Clear, Stri-Dex, Thera-Sal, Therasoft Anti-Acne, Tinamed, Ti-Seb, Virasal, Wart-Off Maximum Strength, Zapzyt, Acnex, Acnomel Acne Mask, Clear Away Wart Removal System, Compound W One-Step Wart Remover, Compound W Plus, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away One Step Plantar Wart Remover, Dr. Scholl's Cushlin Ultra Slim Callus Removers, Dr. Scholl's Cushlin Ultra Slim Corn Removers, Duoforte 27, Freezone - One Step Callus Remover Pad, Freezone - One Step Corn Remover Pad
About this medication
Salicylic acid topical 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. This medicine is available without a prescription. Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Before using this medication
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. 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 children. Use of salicylic acid topical in children younger than 2 years of age is not recommended. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of salicylic acid topical in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related blood vessel disease, which may require caution in patients receiving salicylic acid topical. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. 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. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
How to use this medication
Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. 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. This medicine is for use only on the skin. Do not get any of it in your eyes, nose, or mouth . Rinse it off with water right away if it does get on these areas. Before using anOTC acne productfor the first time, apply a small amount to one or two small affected areas of the skin for 3 days. If no discomfort occurs, follow the directions on the drug facts label of the product. 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 thecream, lotion, or ointment: To use thegel: To use thepad: To use theplasterfor warts, corns, or calluses: To use theshampoo: To use thesoap: To use thetopical solution: To use thetopical solutionfor 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. The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. 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. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.