Germolene Wound Care Cream

This medicine is available without prescription.

However, you still need to use Germolene Wound Care Cream carefully to get the best results from it.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• You must contact a doctor if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.
• If you have any unusual effects after using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

1. What is Germolene Wound Care Cream and what is it used for?
2. Before you use Germolene Wound Care Cream
3. How to use Germolene Wound Care Cream
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Germolene Wound Care Cream
6. Further information

• If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to chlorhexidine dihydrochloride or any of the other ingredients of Germolene Wound Care Cream (See section 6, Further information).
• On the inside of your ears if you have a hole or tear in your eardrum.

Rare but serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis have been reported with use of chlorhexidine containing antiseptic products.

If symptoms of a serious allergic reaction appear (e.g. wheezing or difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, hives that can quickly progress to more serious symptoms, severe rash, or shock), immediately stop using this product and tell your doctor straight away or contact the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.

Germolene Wound Care Cream must not come into contact with the eye due to risk of visual damage. If it comes into contact with the eyes, wash out immediately and thoroughly with water. In case of any irritation, redness or pain in the eye, or visual disturbance, ask for medical advice promptly.

Serious cases of persistent corneal injury (injury to the surface of the eye) potentially requiring corneal transplant have been reported when similar products have accidentally come in contact with the eye during surgical procedures, in patients under general anaesthesia (deep painless sleep).

You may use the cream if you are pregnant or breast-feeding but as with all medicines at this time, you should discuss it with your doctor first.

This cream contains cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and wool fat (lanolin) which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

1. Before using the product for the first time, check that the tube seal is not broken.
2. Pierce the tube seal by inverting the cap over the end of the tube and press.
3. Thoroughly clean the affected area of skin with warm water (do not use soap).
4. Apply once or several times daily as required. Wounds may be covered with a dressing after treatment if desired.
5. Replace the cap firmly after use.

If your condition does not improve, tell your doctor.

Avoid applying other antiseptics at the same time as Germolene Wound Care Cream as this may reduce its effectiveness.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This cream is for external use only.

Do not put in your ears or mouth. If some of the cream is swallowed accidentally, tell your doctor straight away or contact your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.

• A serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing and dizziness. If this happens stop using this product, tell your doctor straight away or go to the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest hospital.
• An allergic skin reaction (local irritation, rash, itching) and/or a burning sensation. Applying the product over large areas of skin may increase the risk of these reactions.
• Corneal injury (injury to the surface of the eye), and permanent eye damage including permanent visual impairment (following accidental ocular exposure during head, face and neck surgical procedures) in patients under general anaesthesia (deep painless sleep).

If you are concerned about this, or if the cream affects you in any other way, stop using Germolene Wound Care Cream and tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

The active substance is chlorhexidine dihydrochloride 0.5% w/w.

The other ingredients are dexpanthenol, DL-lactone, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, wool fat (lanolin), macrogol stearate and purified water.

See the end of section 2 ‘Important information about some of the ingredients of Germolene Wound Care Cream’ for cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and wool fat (lanolin) advice.

Germolene Would Care Cream is available in tubes containing 30g or 90g of white cream (not all pack sizes may be marketed).