Ichthyol ointment

The drug Ichthyol ointment is used for arthritis and neuralgia, which have a traumatic and inflammatory nature, burns, erysipelas, eczema, prostatitis, metritis, parametritis, salpingitis and other inflammatory processes in the pelvis.

Indications Ichthyol ointment

The drug Ichthyol ointment is used for arthritis and neuralgia, which have a traumatic and inflammatory nature, burns, erysipelas, eczema, prostatitis, metritis, parametritis, salpingitis and other inflammatory processes in the pelvis. It is also shown in discoid lupus erythematosus, rosacea, sunny eczema and smallpox, infiltrative-suppuration types of microsporia and trichophytosis, streptodermia and staphylodermia.

[1]

Release form

The medication is available in the form of an ointment with a dark brown color, smelling of ichthyol. Ichthyol ointment is packaged in aluminum tubes of twenty grams each, each tube is packed in a cardboard box and supplied with a leaflet with instructions. The preparation contains twenty grams of ichthyol, as well as a certain amount of excipients - an emulsifier of the T-2 type and a medical Vaseline.

[2]

Pharmacodynamics

Ichthyol ointment has strong local anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects, as well as antipruritic and keratostatic qualities.

The active ingredient ichthyol has a therapeutic effect due to the content of thiophenol components in it, the main of which is thiophene. These substances contain up to ten and a half percent sulfur, which has an organically bound form. These components are able to act in a bactericidal manner on the gram-positive microflora, as well as on yeast-like fungi. The drug does not have the quality to destroy gram-negative microflora.

After applying the drug in the place of application, heat and hyperemia occur. Such effects are due to the stimulation of tissue receptor components by the ointment components, which are responsible for pain sensations and thermoreceptors. Within one or two hours, the drug penetrates into soft tissues under the skin and has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect there.

The anti-inflammatory effect is due to a decrease in the production of mediators, which are responsible for inflammatory processes, as well as the acceleration of metabolism and inhibition of the delivery of leukocytes to inflammatory foci.

The active component of Ichthyol's ointment is able to suppress the sensations of itching, as well as excessive keratinization of the skin. Also, Ichthyol has a photo-protective effect and helps to reduce the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation.

[3], [4]

Pharmacokinetics

If Ihtiol ointment is applied to an intact skin area and covered with an occlusive dressing, the ointment starts to slowly be absorbed. The level of systemic absorption is from five to ten percent. That part of the thiophenol components that are absorbed through the skin gets into the bile and is removed from the body through the intestines with the help of feces.

[5], [6], [7]

Dosing and administration

With pain in the muscles ointment, arthritis and neuralgia Ichthyol ointment should be distributed evenly over the surface of the skin above the affected area. After that the ointment is covered with a gauze napkin and fastened with a bandage. Then you need to wash your hands. The dressing changes once a day. The ointment is applied in an amount from two to four centimeters of a column of the drug squeezed out from the tube.

[11], [12]

Use Ichthyol ointment during pregnancy

During pregnancy and lactation Ichthyol ointment should be used only after the risk level for the fetus has been assessed, which is much lower than the expected benefit for the mother.

Contraindications

• Existing high sensitivity to ichthyol.
• The age of patients younger than six years.

[8], [9]

Side effects Ichthyol ointment

The appearance of local allergic reactions - itching and burning of the skin, redness and hyperemia.

[10]

Overdose

• Low systemic absorption of the drug can not practically lead to an overdose of Ichthyol ointment.
• The possibility of the appearance of symptoms of an overdose appears only if the drug is administered orally. You can observe the appearance of symptoms of dizziness, burning in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, as well as bradycardia and lowering blood pressure.
• From therapy it is shown to wash the stomach, and also to include means of supporting and symptomatic treatment.
• There is no definite antidote to eliminate problems with drug overdose.

[13]

Interactions with other drugs

Ichthyol ointment results in an increase in the effect of other agents that differ in photoprotective qualities, but it shows incompatibility with zinc oxide preparations, which prohibits their joint application.

Ointment can not be used in conjunction with solutions and lotions, including iodide salts, alkaloids, salts of heavy metals.

Systemic absorption of the drug is enhanced if it is used simultaneously with dimethylsulfoxide, ethyl alcohol and glycerin. Also, such a symbiosis can lead to an increase in the depth of penetration of the ointment into soft tissues under the skin.

[14], [15], [16]

Storage conditions

Ichthyol ointment should be stored - at a temperature that does not exceed 15 ° C and in a place where children do not have access.

[17], [18]

Shelf life

Ichthyol ointment is stored for 5 years from the moment of manufacture.

[19], [20]