Lafrost
Docosanol cream

 

Presentation

Lafrost   Cream: Each gram of cream contains Docosanol INN 100 mg.

Description

Docosanol is a 22-carbon, straight chain saturated alcohol that works by inhibiting fusion between the human cell plasma membrane and the Herpes simplex virus envelope, thereby preventing viral entry into the cells and subsequent viral replication.

Indications and uses

Docosanol cream is indicated for the topical treatment of acute and recurrent oral-facial Herpes simplex episodes (Herpes labialis or cold sores or fever blisters). 

Dosage and Administration

Adults and Children of 12 years of age and older:

Apply 5 times a day until healed. Treatment should be begun at earliest signs or symptoms of herpes infection (Blisters, open sores, pain in the infected area, itching, burning, tingling or numbness).

Side-effects

Generally Docosanol is well tolerated. Rarely burning, dryness of skin, itching, rash, swelling & headache are seen after administration of Docosanol.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to Docosanol or any other components of the formulation.

Precautions

* Cream should only be applied to lips and face. Avoid application in or near the eyes. Emphasize hand washing following application. Do not touch the lesion to prevent spread to others or to other parts of the body.

* Herpes infection is a recurring disease. Viral reactivation may be triggered by ultraviolet radiation or sun exposure, stress, fatigue, chilling. Other possible triggers include fever, injury, menstruation, dental work and infectious diseases (cold, flu).

* Patients are advised to notify health care professionals if lesions do not heal in 14 days or if fever, rash or swollen lymph nodes occur.

Use in pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies using rats or rabbits.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether Docosanol is excreted in breast milk. Because many drugs are excreted in breast milk, consideration should be given to discontinue nursing temporarily or withhold the drug while the mother is nursing. 

Drug interactions

There are no known drug interactions with Docosanol.

Overdoses

No instance of accidental ingestion of Docosanol has been reported. If ingested, gastric lavage and general supportive measures should be employed.

Commercial pack

Lafrost   Cream: Each tube contains 5 gm cream.