Elocon

• Used to reduce redness, scaling and itchiness caused by certain skin conditions
• Potent corticosteroid
• Available as ointment, oily cream and lotion

Elocon contains mometasone, which is classified as a potent topical corticosteroid. This medicine is put on the surface of the skin to reduce the redness, swelling, scaling and itchiness caused by certain skin problems. Elocon treats the symptoms, not the cause of the skin problems.

Elocon is used to treat skin conditions, including:

• Certain types of eczema.
• Psoriasis.
• Lichen planus, lichen sclerosus and atrophicus.
• Raised rash or bumps in a ring pattern (granuloma annulare).
• Discoid lupus erythematosus.
• Pustules on the palms of the hands and/or soles of the feet (palmoplantar pustulosis, also known as AndrewsBarber disease).

Elocon is available in three variants:

• EloconCream: wateremulsifying cream.
• Elocon Ointment: wateremulsifying ointment, which is more oily than the cream.
• Elocon Lotion: ideal for hairy areas.

Apply a small amount of Elocon to the affected area. Apply thinly and massage in gently until completely absorbed.

Unless you are meant to apply Elocon to your hands as a part of the treatment, wash them again after use. Avoid contact with the eyes.

Dosage

Dosage varies per person and is determined by a doctor depending on the symptoms. The general dosage guidelines are as follows:

• Adults: a thin film to the affected areas once daily.
• Children aged two years and above: the lowest possible dose should be used. It is recommended that your child's growth is monitored regularly during treatment with this medicine. Please discuss this with your doctor.

Elocon is not recommended for children under the age of two.

Alcohol/driving

This medicine does not interact with alcohol and will normally not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

If you use more/forget to use Elocon

If you use more Elocon cream, ointment or lotion than you were told to, it should not produce any problems. If you have not used Elocon 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 accidentally swallow large amounts of this medicine, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and call your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to apply Elocon, you may do so as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Do not stop using Elocon without talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly could cause skin problems to return. In some cases, you will need to gradually reduce how often you need to use Elocon until you stop treatment altogether.

Elocon is not suitable for everyone. Do not use this medicine if:

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to corticosteroids or any of the other ingredients in this medicine (see section ‘What Elocon contains').
• You have a skin problem caused by fungi, yeasts, bacteria, viruses or parasites, such as chickenpox, shingles, cold sores, warts, skin tuberculosis or scabies, or skin reactions after vaccination.

Do not use Elocon for the treatment of wounds, sores or scars caused by the use of corticosteroids. Do not use in or around your eyes, including eyelids.

Do not use Elocon if you have any of the following skin disorders or problems:

• Ichthyosis vulgaris.
• Adolescent spots (acne).
• Flushing of skin with spots (rosacea).
• Rash and fissuring on the soles of feet (juvenile plantar dermatosis).
• Dermatitis around the mouth.
• Itching around the anus or genitals.
• Skin atrophy (thinning of the skin).
• Nappy rash.
• Skin reactions after vaccination.

When should this medicine be used with caution?

In some cases, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist on the use of this medicine. For example, if:

• Your skin becomes irritated or sensitive after using Elocon.
• You get side effects in other parts of the body (systemic effects) such as adrenal insufficiency, growth retardation (in children), osteoporosis after longterm use, weight gain and rounding of the face (Cushing syndrome), high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) or a high level of urine glucose. Contact your doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms.
• Your risk of suffering from systemic side effects is increased. For example, if Elocon is used on large areas of the body or in skin folds. Or if Elocon is used in children. For more information on the increased risk of side effects, see the package leaflet.
• If this medicine is used on the face, hairy skin or genital skin. These areas are extra sensitive to corticosteroids and should preferably be treated with a less potent corticosteroid. Do not use Elocon on your face for more than five days.

See the package leaflet for more warnings associated with the use of Elocon.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.

Avoid long-term use or application on large areas of skin if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not recommended to use Elocon on or near the breast area if you are breastfeeding.

Other medicines and Elocon

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.

If Elocon is used long term, on large areas of skin, in skin folds or under airtight dressings (e.g., plasters or nappies) it is absorbed into the body more. This increases the risk of local side effects. Side effects are more likely to affect the face, hairy skin and genital skin. Children are more susceptible to side effects than adults because their skin is thinner.

Side effects that are known to be associated with Elocon include:

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):

• Inflammation and/or infection of the hair follicles (folliculitis).
• Burning sensation and itching.

Other side effects (frequency unknown):

• Boils.
• Stinging/tingling sensation.
• Contact allergy (eczema).
• Loss of skin colour.
• Excessive hair growth.
• Acnelike skin problems.
• Thinning of the skin.
• Widened capillaries.
• Stripelike skin marks (striae).
• Blurred vision.

For a complete list of side effects, see the package leaflet. If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this package leaflet.

The active substance is mometasone furoate. Each gram contains 1 mg of mometasone furoate.

Read the package leaflet before use. The official package leaflet of Elocon is available for download here.