Patient Leaflet Updated 26-Mar-2024 | Organon Pharma (UK) Limited
Elocon Ointment
Elocon® 0.1% w/w Ointment
Mometasone furoate
1. What Elocon is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Elocon
3. How to use Elocon
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Elocon
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Elocon Ointment is one of a group of medicines called topical corticosteroids. Corticosteroid creams, ointments and other topical preparations come in four different potencies or strengths. These are known as mild, moderately potent, potent or very potent. Healthcare professionals will usually refer to topical corticosteroid potency rather than strength. A potent or strong corticosteroid has a much stronger effect than a mild corticosteroid when using the same amount. The percentage of active ingredient that is sometimes included on product packaging does not indicate potency. Elocon is classed as a strong corticosteroid. Your healthcare professional will prescribe or advise a steroid of the appropriate potency for your condition.
These medicines are put on the surface of the skin to reduce the redness and itchiness caused by certain skin problems.
In adults and children, Elocon Ointment is used to reduce redness and itchiness caused by certain skin problems called psoriasis or dermatitis.
Psoriasis is a skin disease in which itchy, scaly, pink patches develop on the elbows, knees, scalp and other parts of the body.
Dermatitis is a condition brought on by the skin reacting to outside agents e.g. detergents, causing the skin to become red and itchy.
If you have:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Contact your doctor if your psoriasis gets worse or you get raised bumps filled with pus under your skin.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
If your skin becomes irritated or sensitive after using Elocon, you should stop using it and tell your doctor.
If you think that you have developed an infection on your skin while using Elocon, you should tell your doctor.
Side effects that may happen with inhaled or oral corticosteroids may also occur with corticosteroids used on the skin, especially in infants and children.
If you use more than the correct amount of ointment and/or use it for longer than is recommended, it can affect the levels of certain hormones in the body, particularly in infants and children.
In adults the changes in hormone levels may lead rarely to puffiness or rounding of the face, weakness, tiredness, and dizziness when standing or sitting down.
Do not smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.
If there is a worsening of your condition during use consult your prescriber – you may be experiencing an allergic reaction, have an infection or your condition requires a different treatment.
If you experience a recurrence of your condition shortly after stopping treatment, within 2 weeks, do not restart using the ointment without consulting your prescriber unless your prescriber has previously advised you to do so. If your condition has resolved and on recurrence the redness extends beyond the initial treatment area and you experience a burning sensation, please seek medical advice before restarting treatment.
If more than the correct amount of ointment is used and/or it is used for longer than is recommended, it can affect the child’s hormones. This may lead to:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
Elocon Ointment contains propylene glycol stearate, which can cause skin irritation.
Always use Elocon exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Elocon is not recommended for children under the age of 2.
Usually for adults and children aged 2 and above, a thin layer of Elocon Ointment should be gently rubbed into the affected area of skin once a day.
You should always follow these instructions when using Elocon:
If you (or somebody else) accidentally swallows the ointment, it should not produce any problems. However, if you are worried, you should see your doctor.
If you use the ointment more often than you should, or on large areas of the body, it can affect some of your hormones.
In children, this may affect their growth and development.
If you have not used the cream as you were told to do and have used it too often and/or for a long time, you should tell your doctor.
If you forget to use your ointment at the right time, use it as soon as you remember, then carry on as before.
If you have been using Elocon for a long time and your skin problem seems to have got better, you should not suddenly stop using the ointment. If you do, you may find that your skin becomes red and you may notice stinging or burning. To avoid this, you should speak to your doctor who will gradually reduce how often you need to use the ointment until you stop treatment altogether.
Like all medicines, Elocon can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
A few people may find that they suffer from some of the following side effects after using Elocon:
Other side effects that may occur with topical corticosteroids are dry skin, skin irritation, dermatitis, dermatitis around the mouth, and small dilated blood vessels.
Steroid withdrawal reaction:
If used over prolonged periods a withdrawal reaction, which might appear to be different from the previous condition, may occur in some patients during treatment or within days to weeks after stopping treatment, with some or all of the following features: redness of the skin which can extend beyond the initial area treated, a burning or stinging sensation, intense itching, peeling of the skin, oozing open sores.
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 ointment should be stored between 2 and 30°C.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The ointment is available in a tube containing 5, 15, 30, 45 and 100 g. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
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Manufacturer
This leaflet was last revised in March 2024.
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