ALPHOSYL HC CREAM

Alcoholic Extract of Coal Tar, Allantoin, Hydrocortisone

Please read right through this leaflet before you start using this medicine.

This medicine is available on prescription only.

•    Keep this leaflet you may need to read it again.

•    If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, ask your pharmacist.

In this leaflet:

1.    What Alphosyl HC Cream does

2.    Check before you use Alphosyl HC Cream

3.    How to use Alphosyl HC Cream

4.    Possible side effects

5.    How to store Alphosyl HC Cream

6.    Further information

1. What Alphosyl HC Cream does

Alphosyl HC Cream is used on your skin to treat psoriasis. It helps to reduce the formation of scale while removing any that is already there to keep your skin looking more normal in appearance and condition. Alphosyl HC Cream contains three active ingredients. Alcoholic extract of coal tar relieves itching and is an anti-scaling agent which helps breakdown keratin (part of the skin's structure). Allantoin helps to speed up wound healing and hydrocortisone is a topical corticosteroid which is used to control inflammation.

2. Check before you use Alphosyl HC Cream

Do not use Alphosyl HC Cream:

•    if you have ever had an allergic reaction to alcoholic extract of coal tar, allantoin, hydrocortisone or to any of the other ingredients (listed in Section 6)

•    if your psoriasis is acute, sore or pustular (fluid filled)

•    if you have any infective skin condition such as fungal lesions (e.g. athletes foot), acne, cold sores, cowpox or chickenpox

•    if you have tuberculosis

•    on children under 5 years.

Take special care with Alphosyl HC Cream

•    Avoid applying the cream to the eyes, mouth or nostrils, genital or rectal areas and broken or inflamed skin.

•    Do not swallow the cream. If you or a child swallows any of the cream, contact your doctor or casualty department immediately.

•    Avoid applying the cream to large areas or for prolonged periods.

If you are taking other medicines

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this cream if you are taking any prescribed medicines.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Talk to your doctor before using Alphosyl HC Cream if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breast feeding.

3. How to use Alphosyl HC Cream

For external use only.

Apply the cream sparingly twice a day or as your doctor tells you. Apply to the affected area and rub in well until the cream has vanished into the skin.

If you forget to use the cream

Apply the cream as soon as you remember and then go on as before.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Alphosyl HC Cream can have side effects, but not

everybody gets them.

Stop using the cream and tell your doctor if you experience:

•    Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions such as itching, swelling or difficulty breathing.

•    Skin irritation.

•    Acne-like eruptions.

•    Light sensitivity.

•    Skin breakdown. This is worse if the cream is applied under non-breathable dressings or to skin areas which touch each other (e.g. between the thighs or under the breasts). You may notice this as a streak, skin thinning or inflammation of your blood vessels.

•    Slow healing of any wounds.

You may also find that your symptoms get worse after you stop using the cream. Tell your doctor if this happens.

If you do get any side effects, even those not mentioned in this leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

5. How to store Alphosyl HC Cream

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Do not use this medicine after the 'Expiry' date shown on the pack. Store between 4°C and 25°C.

6. Further information

Active ingredients Alcoholic Extract of Coal Tar 5.0 % w/w,

Allantoin 2.0% w/w. Hydrocortisone 0.5% w/w.

Other ingredients Beeswax, cetyl alcohol, citric acid (E 330), corn oil, glyceryl monostearate, isopropyl palmitate, mineral oil and lanolin alcohol, methyl paraben (E 218), oleyl alcohol, propyl gallate (E 310), propyl paraben (E 216), PEG 400 dilaurate, sodium citrate, squalane, lecithin, triethanolamine, phenylethyl alcohol and water.

The tube contains 100 g of cream.

For further information about your condition please contact the Psoriasis Association, Dick Coles House, 2 Queensbridge, Northampton, NN4 7BF

Or; PAPAA, P.O. Box 111, St Albans, Herts, AL2 3JQ.

The marketing authorisation holder is GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Brentford, TW8 9GS, U.K. and all enquiries should be sent to this address.

The manufacturer is Puma Pharmaceuticals NV, Rijksweg 17,

2870 Puurs, Belgium.

PL 00036/0026R

Legal category: Prescription Only Medicine (POM)

This leaflet was last revised in May 2011.

Alphosyl is a registered trade mark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.

GlaxoSmithKline

203173

L628002/05