Soltop-S 3% Ointment (Clobetasol & Salicylic Acid)

Soltop-S Ointment general information

What is Soltop-S Ointment used for?

Soltop- S Ointment 0.05% is a topical skin ointment used to treat dry resistant hyperkeratotic skin conditions, in which the outer layer of the skin becomes thickened, dry and scaly.  These conditions include recalcitrant eczema (difficult to treat), dermatitis, lichen planus (itchy swollen rash on the skin, mouth or tongue) and Ichthyosis vulgaris (accumulation of dry dead skin in patches that look like fish scales) and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (thickening of the skin).  Psoriasis is a non-allergic chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterised by the appearance of red raised patches of thickened skin covered in a dry silvery scaly rash usually on the skin of the elbows, knees and lower back.  Psoriasis is thought to be an autoimmune disorder (hyperactivity of the immune system which then attacks self) with a genetic predisposition.  Soltop- S Ointment 0.05% is also used to treat acne, to clear pimples and blemishes.  Soltop- S Ointment 0.05% helps relieve symptoms of psoriasis and other hyperkeratotic conditions such as itching, redness, dryness, crusting and scaling; also helps reduce thickening of the skin.  

How does Soltop-S Ointment work?

Soltop-S Ointment contains the synthetic corticosteroid clobetasol 0.05%, which is a high potency anti-inflammatory that is more potent than hydrocortisone.  Clobetasol in Soltop- S Ointment works by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are hormone-like substances involved in the inflammatory process.  Clobetasol in Soltop- S Ointment also narrows and constricts causes blood vessels that have become dilated (widened) and leaky allowing other inflammatory cells into the skin to escalate the inflammatory response.  This reduces symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions particularly those that do not respond satisfactorily to less active steroids.  Soltop-S Ointment also contains salicylic acid (3%), a keratolytic that works by softening keratin, which is a fibrous structural protein found in the upper layer of the skin.  Softening the keratin helps loosen the dry scaly skin and allows the corticosteroid component of Soltop-S Ointment to penetrate the skin more easily, which enhances the anti-inflammatory effect of  of Soltop-S Ointment and its effectiveness in relieving symptoms of psoriasis and other hyperkeratotic conditions.  Salicylic acid in Soltop-S Ointment also helps clear out blocked pores in acne that cause pimples and blackheads and allows them to heal and clear.  Soltop-S Ointment also contains lactic acid, which acts as a moisturiser and urea, which increases the retention of water and moisture in the skin.  The combination of active ingredients in Soltop-S Ointment helps relieve symptoms of inflammation; as well as reducing dryness, scaling and thickening of the skin.  Soltop-S Ointment is more suitable than a cream for dry, scaling and fissured (split) skin conditions.

What does Soltop-S Ointment contain?

Soltop-S Ointment contains the active ingredient clobetasol propionate 0.05%, a corticosteroid anti-inflammatory, and salicylic acid 3%, a keratolytic, urea 10% and lactic acid 3%, used in combination to treat dry resistant hyperkeratotic skin conditions and to moisturise and hydrate the skin. 

Treating dry hyperkeratotic skin conditions with Soltop-S Ointment

Soltop-S Ointment contains a combination of active ingredients that are used to treat a variety of moderate to severe dry resistant hyperkeratotic skin conditions, in which the outer layer of the skin becomes thickened, dry and scaly.  These conditions include recalcitrant eczema (difficult to treat), dermatitis, lichen planus (itchy swollen rash on the skin, mouth or tongue) and Ichthyosis vulgaris (accumulation of dry dead skin in patches that look like fish scales) and moderate to severe plaque psoriasis (thickening of the skin).  Psoriasis is a non-allergic chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterised by the appearance of red raised patches of thickened skin covered in a dry silvery scaly rash usually on the skin of the elbows, knees and lower back.  Psoriasis is thought to be an autoimmune disorder (hyperactivity of the immune system which then attacks self) with a genetic predisposition.  Clobetasol in Soltop- S Ointment is a synthetic corticosteroid and a highly potent anti-inflammatory that works by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals, like prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are hormone-like substances involved in the inflammatory process.  Clobetasol in Soltop- S Ointment also narrows and constricts causes blood vessels that have become dilated (widened) and leaky allowing other inflammatory cells into the skin to escalate the inflammatory response.  This reduces symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions particularly those that do not respond satisfactorily to less active steroids.  Salicylic acid in Soltop-S Ointment is a keratolytic that works by softening keratin, a fibrous structural protein found in the upper layer of the skin, which loosens dry scaly skin and allows the clobetasol to penetrate the skin more easily and improve its effectiveness.  Soltop-S Ointment also contains lactic acid, which acts as a moisturiser and urea, which increases the retention of water and moisture in the skin.  Soltop-S Ointment relieves symptoms of inflammation; as well as reducing dryness, scaling and thickening of the skin.

Soltop-S Ointment for acne

Soltop-S Ointment contains a combination of active ingredients that are used to treat acne to clear pimples and blemishes.  Acne forms when over stimulation of the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles) causes pores to become clogged with dead skin, and leads to the formation of new pimples, whitehead and blackheads (comedones), which can become infected and inflamed.  Comedones (blackheads) form in hair follicles that become blocked by excess keratinized (hardened) epithelial skin cells.  Salicylic acid in Soltop-S Ointment also helps clear out blocked pores in acne that cause pimples and blackheads and allows them to heal and clear.  Soltop-S Ointment also contains lactic acid, which acts as a moisturiser and urea, which increases the retention of water and moisture in the skin.  Soltop-S Ointment relieves symptoms of inflammation; as well as reducing dryness, scaling and thickening of the skin.

What are the side effects of Soltop-S Ointment?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Soltop-S Ointment include:  burning, itching, irritation, cracking, fissuring and dryness at the site of application, also long-term use can cause hypopigmentation (loss of skin pigment), perioral dermatitis (rash around the mouth), striae (stretch marks), steroid purpura (blood spots uner the skin) and skin atrophy.  Long-term use of Soltop -S Ointment may cause the adrenal glands, which produce endogenous (naturally occurring) corticosteroids, to stop working efficiently and this may slow down the growth rate in children.

When should Soltop-S Ointment not be used?

You should not use Soltop-S Ointment if you:

• are allergic to clobetasol, salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea or any ingredients in Soltop -S Ointment
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have a viral infection of the skin, tuberculosis, acne rosacea (a chronic skin condition), perioral dermatitis (facial rash around the mouth), fungal skin infections and ulcerative conditions
• have damaged skin

How should Soltop-S Ointment be used?

You should apply a thin film of Soltop-S Ointment 0.05% to the affected area of skin once or twice daily by gently rubbing into the skin.  You should always wash your hands after applying the medication and make sure you don’t get any in your eyes, nose or mouth.  Soltop-S Ointment is intended for short term use and should not be used for more than 2 weeks.  If there is no improvement in symptoms within 2 weeks, you should follow you doctors recommendations.

How long should you take Soltop-S Ointment?

Soltop-S Ointment is intended for short term use and should not be used for more than 2 weeks.  If there is no improvement in symptoms within 2 weeks, you should follow you doctors recommendations.

Missed dose of Soltop-S Ointment

If you miss a dose of Soltop-S Ointment apply it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Soltop-S Ointment be stored?

You should store your Soltop-S Ointment below 25°C in a cool dry place.