Polytar Emollient
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
Polytar Emollient
Tar Blend
Light Liquid Paraffin
Please read right through this leaflet before you start using this medicine.
This medicine is available without prescription, but you still need to use Polytar Emollient carefully to get the best results from it.
- 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 this medicine does.
2. Check before you use this medicine
3. How to take this medicine
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store this medicine
6. Further information
1. What this medicine does
Polytar Emollient is a bath oil formula for the treatment of itchy, irritating dry or scaly skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis and allergic and itchy dermatoses (skin conditions).
The use of Polytar Emollient may be combined with natural and artificial light (ultraviolet radiation) to treat psoriasis in combination with coal tar, as the coal tar makes the skin more receptive to light. Polytar Emollient also helps reduce the scaling and thickening of skin cells following dithranol treatment.
Polytar Emollient contains two active ingredients: Coal tar is a thick, heavy oil which can reduce scales, inflammation and itchiness. Light liquid paraffin is an emollient which forms a protective film layer on the skin to seal in moisture and reduce water loss from skin.
2. Check before you use this medicine [X] Do not use Polytar Emollient
- if you have ever had an allergic reaction to coal tar, peanuts*, soya or any other ingredients (listed in Section 6).
- Do not use on infected open or damaged skin, or pus-filled blisters
(pustules).
[!] Take care with this medicine:
- Guard against slipping when entering or leaving bath.
- Avoid contact with the eyes. If it gets in your eyes, rinse with clean water.
- Avoid exposure to strong sunlight or sun beds. If exposure cannot be avoided, wear protective clothing and sunscreen.
- Can stain skin, clothes and can rarely cause a temporary change in hair colour.
[!] If you are taking other medicines:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are taking any prescribed medicines, particularly ones that may make you more sensitive to sunlight such as thiazides (water tablets), some antibiotics and tranquilizers.
[!] Pregnancy and breast feeding
Talk to your doctor before taking this product if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Do not use this medicine if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. If used during breast feeding (after consultation with your doctor), make sure all coal tar is washed off the breast before feeding.
3. How to take this medicine
K] Adults, adolescents and the elderly: 2-4 capfuls should be added to a bath containing 8 inches (20cm) of water and soak for 20 minutes or as directed by your doctor.
[!] Children under 12 years of age: only on the recommendation of a doctor or pharmacist.
KEEP OUT OF REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN
Do not use after the expiry date shown.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Like all medicines, Polytar Emollient can have side effects, but not everybody gets them. A small number of people have had side effects.
Stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor immediately if you
experience:
- Allergic reactions which may be severe such as itching, swelling (including that of the lips and throat)
- Difficulty breathing or breathlessness
- Rash, pain or swelling
- Eye irritation
- A reaction to sunlight, skin irritation, dry skin, redness and burning
- Abnormal hair loss or changes to the colour or texture of hair.
If you do get any side effects, even those not mentioned in the leaflet, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to store Polytar Emollient
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use this medicine after the 'EXP' date shown on the pack.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
Active ingredients (w/w): tar blend* 25%, light liquid paraffin 35%. Tar blend consists of pine tar, cade oil, coal tar solution and arachis oil (peanut oil)* extract of coal tar.
Other ingredients: octyiphenoxypolythoxy ethanol, sorbitan mono-oleate, isopropyl palmitate, macrogol dilaurate.
Bottles contain 350ml, 500ml, 600ml or 1000ml (not all pack sizes may be marketed).
The marketing authorisation holder is GlaxoSmithKline UK Limited, Stockley Park West, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1BT, UK and all enquiries should be sent to this address.
The manufacturer is Stiefel Laboratories, (Ireland) Ltd., Finisklin Business Park, Sligo, Ireland.
This leaflet was last revised in October 2012.
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