Patient leaflet - ELOCON 0.1 % W/W OINTMENT
1. what elocon is and what it is used for
Elocon Ointment is one of a group of medicines called topical corticosteroids. It is classified as a “potent corticosteroid”. 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.
2. what you need to know before you use elocon
Do not use Elocon
If you have:
- an allergy (hypersensitivity) to mometasone furoate or any of the other ingredients in this medicine (listed in section 6) or to other similar medicines.
- any other skin problems as it could make them worse especially:
- rosacea (a skin condition affecting the face)
- acne
- skin atrophy (thinning of the skin)
- dermatitis around the mouth
- genital itching
- nappy rash
- cold sores
- chickenpox
- shingles
- warts
- ulcerated skin
- wounds
- other skin infections
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Warning and precautions
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.
Children
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:
- Delayed growth and development
- Puffiness or rounding of the face
Other medicines and Elocon
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility
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
Elocon Ointment contains propylene glycol stearate, which can cause skin irritation.
3. how to use elocon
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.
Use in children
Elocon is not recommended for children under the age of 2.
How much to use
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.
Before using Elocon
You should always follow these instructions when using Elocon:
- Do not use the ointment on your face for more than 5 days
- Do not apply the ointment to children, on any part of their body, for more than 5 days.
- Do not put the ointment under your child’s nappy, as this makes it easier for the active drug to pass through the skin and possibly cause some unwanted effects.
- You should check with your doctor before covering the treated areas with a bandage or plaster. Treated areas on the face or in children should not be covered with a bandage or plaster.
- You should not use a large amount of ointment on large areas of the body for a long time (for example every day for many weeks or months).
- Do not use in or around your eyes, including eye-lids
If you use more Elocon than you should
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 Elocon
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 stop using Elocon
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.
4. possible side effects
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:
- allergic skin reactions
- bacterial and secondary skin infections
- acne
- inflammation and/ or infection of the hair follicles
- thinning of the skin
- red marks with associated prickly heat
- loss of skin colour
- burning
- stinging
- itching
- tingling
- excessive hair growth
- softening of the skin and stretch marks
- blurred vision
Other side effects that may occur with topical corticosteroids are dry skin, skin irritation, dermatitis, dermatitis around the mouth, and small dilated blood vessels.
Reporting of side effects
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: 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.
5. how to store elocon
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.
6. contents of the pack and other information
What Elocon contains
- The active substance is mometasone furoate, each gram contains 1 mg of mometasone furoate.
- The other ingredients are hexylene glycol; purified water; phosphoric acid; propylene glycol stearate; white bees wax; white soft paraffin.