Patient leaflet - Nizoral 2% cream
1. What Nizoral Cream is and what it is used for
Your medicine is known by the above name, but will be referred to as ‘Nizoral cream’ or just ‘cream’ in this leaflet.
Nizoral cream contains a medicine called ketoconazole. This belongs to a group of medicines called ‘antifungals’.
Nizoral cream is used for fungal and yeast infections of the skin in adults. Infections may appear on the:
- Trunk, chest or back
- Hands or feet
- Scalp or face
- Groin or genitals
Nizoral cream works by killing the fungus that causes the infection.
2. What you need to know before you use Nizoral cream
Do not use Nizoral cream:
If you are allergic to anything in Nizoral cream (listed in section 6
below)
- For eye infections
Do not use this medicine if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Nizoral cream.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine:
If you have recently used a cream, ointment or lotion on your skin infection that contains a steroid:
- You should continue to apply a mild steroid (such as hydrocortisone)
cream, ointment or lotion in the morning whilst applying Nizoral
cream in the evening. The mild steroid treatment can then be
gradually stopped over a period of 2-3 weeks.
If you have any questions about stopping your steroid cream, ointment or lotion, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Children and adolescents
Nizoral Cream is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age.
Other medicines and Nizoral Cream
Nizoral cream does not normally react with other medicines. However, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription or herbal medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Nizoral cream can be used if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
Nizoral cream is not likely to affect you being able to drive or use any tools or machines.
Nizoral cream contains propylene glycol
This medicine contains 6000 mg propylene glycol in each 30 g tube, which is equivalent to 200 mg/g.
Nizoral cream contains cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol
Cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
3. How to use Nizoral Cream
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How often you should use Nizoral cream
Your doctor will tell you how often to use Nizoral cream and for how long.
The recommended dose is:
For skin infections of the trunk, groin, feet and hands, apply Nizoral
cream to the affected and immediate surrounding area once or twice a day.
Your doctor will tell you how often to use it and for how long.
- For skin infections with reddish brown patches and yellow or white scaling (seborrheic dermatitis), apply Nizoral Cream once or twice a day. Skin infections will usually get better after 2 to 4 weeks.
Your doctor will tell you how often to use Nizoral cream and for how long.
Do not use the cream more often than your doctor has told you.
Depending on the type of infection, treatment may last 2 to 6 weeks.
Preparing your skin
- Wash the infected skin and dry it well
Using Nizoral cream
Each tube of Nizoral cream is sealed. You will need to use the cap to
pierce the seal
- Rub the cream gently into the affected area and surrounding skin with clean fingers
- Do not put Nizoral cream in the eyes
Personal hygiene
- Unless the affected skin is on your hands, wash your hands with soap and water after using the cream
- Washing your hands after using the cream will stop you spreading the infection to other parts of your body or to other people
- Do not allow other people to use your flannel or towel. This will stop them from getting your infection
- Clothing that touches infected skin should be washed and changed often. Nizoral cream is non-greasy and should not stain clothes
If you stop using Nizoral cream
Usually you will see signs of improvement after 4 weeks. If this is not the case, talk to your doctor.
Keep on using the cream until a few days after all symptoms have completely disappeared.
Even after your skin is completely cured, you sometimes have to apply the cream once weekly or once per 2 weeks. This prevents your symptoms from recurring
If you swallow Nizoral cream
If you swallow any cream, tell your doctor straight away.
If you use Nizoral cream more often than you should
If you use Nizoral cream more often than you should, it may cause some burning sensation, redness or swelling. If this occurs, stop using Nizoral cream straight away.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop using Nizoral cream and tell your doctor straight away if you notice or suspect any of the following. You may need urgent medical treatment.
- Severe irritation or reddening of the skin where the cream has been used, or other signs of allergy during the first few days of treatment. This can affect fewer than 1 in 10 people
- Peeling or blistering of the skin. This can affect fewer than 1 in 100 people
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice or suspect any of the following side effects:
Common side effects (affects fewer than 1 in 10 people)
- Burning sensation
Uncommon side effects (affects fewer than 1 in 100 people)
Problems where the cream has been used such as:
- Bleeding
- Discomfort
- Dryness
- Inflammation (contact dermatitis)
- Tingling
- Rash, hives (also known as nettle rash or urticaria)
- Sticky skin
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: 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.
5. How to store Nizoral cream
- Keep out of the sight and reach of children
- Do not store above 25°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the
label.
- 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.
If your cream shows signs of deterioration or discolouration seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Nizoral Cream contains
Each gram (g) of cream contains 20 milligrams (mg) of ketoconazole (2 % w/w).
Also contains purified water, propylene glycol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, sorbitan stearate, polysorbate, sodium sulphite anhydrous (E221) and isopropyl myristate.
See section 2 ‘Nizoral Cream contains’ for further information.
What Nizoral cream looks like and contents of the pack
Nizoral is available in a tube containing 30 g of white cream.
Who manufactured your medicine
Manufactured by Lusomedicamenta – Sociedade Tecnica Farmacetutica, S.A., Estrada Consiglieri Pedrosa 69B, Queluz de Baixo, 2730-055 Barcarena, Portugal. Procured from within the EU and repackaged on behalf of Product Licence Holder Ennogen Healthcare Ltd, Unit G4 Riverside Industrial Estate, Riverside Way, Dartford, Kent, DA1 5BS.
PLGB 40739/0190 POM
Leaflet date: 7 December 2022 Ref: Niz30//UT2
Nizoral is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson.
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