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Compound W – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for healthcare professionals

Medicine status: No longer supplied Details

Medicine strength:
170 mg/gram
Other strengths and forms:
Contains active substance:
ATC code:
Similar medicines:

Sources: Original (products.mhra.gov.uk)

Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - Compound W

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Compound W

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Salicylic acid Ph.Eur. 17.0% w/w

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Viscous, faintly yellow liquid for topical administration

4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

For the treatment of common warts and verrucae.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Adults, the elderly and children over six:

Gently rub the hard skin from the surface of the wart with a pumice stone or emery board.

Apply to wart one drop at a time with dropper-rod until wart is covered. Allow to dry completely. Avoid surrounding skin. Repeat application daily, with regular washing, for up to twelve weeks.

4.3 Contraindications

4.3 Contraindi­cations

Do not use Compound W on moles, birth marks, hairy, genital or facial warts.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Do not apply to healthy skin or skin which is inflamed or broken. If the wart does not dissolve or gets worse, consult your doctor. If in doubt or have diabetes ask your doctor.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

None stated.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and lactation

No contraindications known.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

None known.

4.8 Undesirable effects

None known.

4.9 Overdose

None probable.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Salicylic acid facilitates desquamation by solubilizing the intercellular cement that binds scales in the stratum corneum, thereby loosening the keratin.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Salicylic acid can be absorbed through the skin. It is excreted unchanged in the urine.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

5.3 Preclinical safety data

None stated

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Acetone BP

Industrial Methylated Spirits 99% BP

Pyroxyline (Nitrocellulose DHM 10/25) BP

Castor oil Ph.Eur.

6.2 Incompatibilities

None known.

6.3 Shelf life

6.3 Shelf life

48 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

No special precautions required.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Glass bottle with screw threaded plastic cap and plastic rod wad.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Not applicable.

MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

G R Lane Health Products Ltd.

Sisson Road

Gloucester

GL2 0GR

United Kingdom

8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 01074/0240

9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE

AUTHORISATION

30/07/1998

Sources: Original (products.mhra.gov.uk)

Facts about Compound W

Active substance Salicylic acid
Strength 170 mg/gram
Pharmaceutical form Cutaneous paint
How is it taken Cutaneous
Is it available? No, all its packs are listed as discontinued (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Drug group (ATC)
  1. D Dermatologicals
    1. D01 Antifungals for dermatological use
      1. D01A Antifungals for topical use
        1. D01AE Other antifungals for topical use
          1. D01AE12 salicylic acid
Codes BNF 13070000

Sources: the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.