"Afloderm" is a glucocorticosteroid intended exclusively for topical use. It is produced in two forms: cream and ointment. When using this medication, people are often worried about the question: is Afloderm (cream) hormonal or not? Yes, this remedy is hormonal and can be addictive, so it should be used carefully and only as directed by a doctor. The course of treatment should not be long, and with long-term therapy, it is best to alternate this cream with other drugs of a similar effect.
Release form, composition
The composition of one gram of ointment contains about 0.5 mg of the active ingredient alklomethasone dipropionate. Additional components here are: hexylene glycol, white petrolatum, propylene glycol monostearate, white wax.
Cream "Afloderm" contains in one gram 0.5 mg of the active ingredient alklomethasone dipropionate. Minor substances are: propylene glycol, sodium phosphate monobasic dihydrate, chlorcresol, phosphoric acid, macrogol cetostearyl ether 22, cetostearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate polyethylene glycol 100 stearate, hydroxidesodium, white petroleum jelly and purified water.
Both the one and the other form of the drug is used only for external use. The cream has a white homogeneous consistency, and the ointment is presented in the form of a thick homogeneous substance of a light yellow hue that does not contain mechanical inclusions.
Cream and ointment are produced in aluminum tubes of 20 and 40 grams, which, in turn, are packed in a cardboard box, where, in addition to the medicine, there is an instruction for use.
The drug should be stored in a cool place out of the reach of children at a temperature not exceeding + 30°C. The product must not be exposed to direct sunlight. The cream has a two-year shelf life, while the ointment has a three-year shelf life.
The medicine is dispensed from pharmacies without a doctor's prescription.
Pharmacological action of the drug
Afloderm cream is a glucocorticosteroid of non-fluorinated and synthetic origin. Used locally. It has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antiallergic and antiproliferative properties.
When applied to the epidermis, it acts in the focus of the inflammatory process effectively and quickly. Reduces severe symptoms: erythema, edema, lichenification, and also eliminates subjective sensations such as itching, peeling, skin irritation and pain.
Indications for use of the drug
Afloderm cream is prescribed for dermatoses that can be treated with glucocorticosteroids. That is, it is used to treat atopic,allergic, solar and contact dermatitis. A direct indication for use is psoriasis, eczema and allergic reactions to insect bites. The drug can be used by children from the age of six months. The drug can be applied to the skin of the face and in the anogenital zone.
Contraindications for application
Cream "Afloderm" can not be applied if there is tuberculosis of the dermis, skin syphilis manifestations and viral infectious diseases of the skin serve as a ban. The remedy is contraindicated for chicken pox, skin post-vaccination reactions. I do not recommend using the drug on open wounds, with rosacea and the diagnosis of a trophic ulcer. The cream is not prescribed for acne vulgaris and hypersensitivity to alklomethasone, as well as to other drug excipients.
During pregnancy, you can use "Afloderm" in the case when the benefit for the expectant mother exceeds several times the risk for the development of the embryo. In this situation, the cream treatment should be short, and it can only be applied to small areas of the skin.
There are no studies on the teratogenic effects of the drug.
The medicine can be applied to the skin during breastfeeding, but subject to certain rules. So, you can not apply the product to the epidermis of the mammary glands immediately before feeding.
"Afloderm" (cream): instructions for use
Creamadvised to use in the treatment of acute and weeping lesions of the epidermis. It is mainly used on areas of the body that are highly sensitive. This is the face, chest, genital area, neck.
The ointment is denser in its consistency. It is used on rougher and denser skin. For example, on the feet and elbows. More suitable for the treatment of subacute and chronic dermatoses. This includes dry, scaly, or lichenified lesions. That is, they are used when the occlusive effect of the Afloderm ointment is needed.
What is better cream or ointment? The answer to this question is simple - each of these drugs has its own purpose.
"Afloderm" (cream) instruction advises to apply a uniform thin layer on problem areas of the skin 2-3 times a day. In areas with a denser epidermis, that is, on the feet, elbows and palms, as well as in the area where the drug is quickly erased, the drug is applied more often.
For children and adults during the period of fading of the symptoms that have appeared, the medicine is applied to the skin once a day.
To prevent recurrence of chronic skin diseases, after the disappearance of the main symptoms, the treatment is extended for a few more days.
Data on overdose with Afloderm ointment or cream were not provided.
Side effects with local use of alklomethasone are quite rare, and if they do occur, they are reversible. In 1-2% of patients, itching, redness of the skin, burning, and excessive dryness of the skin were noted. These people were concerned about irritation, a rash of papularcharacter. Very rarely, acne-like changes in the dermis occurred, hypopigmentation and miliaria were observed. Rarely bothered by folliculitis, atrophy of the epidermis, striae, dermatitis of allergic and contact origin, hypertrichosis, secondary infectious diseases of the skin.
Special instructions for use
If at the beginning of the use of the drug "Afloderm" (ointment, cream) there is hypersensitivity in the form of itching, hyperemia or burning, the use of the drug should be discontinued.
The drug is not applied to the skin in the eye area, as this can provoke the development of glaucoma or cataracts. Do not apply cream and ointment to open wounds on the skin and to inflamed acne vulgaris.
If a skin disease has complications in the form of a bacterial or fungal infection that manifests itself a second time, then antibacterial or antimycotic drugs should be added to the treatment with Afloderm.
The medicine can be applied to the skin of children from an early age. It should be noted here that in babies, folds in the dermis, and diapers have an effect similar to an occlusive dressing, and can increase the systemic absorption of the active ingredient. In addition, in children, there is a possibility of increased systemic absorption due to the proportional relationship between the skin of the child and the weight of the child, as well as due to the immaturity of the skin. Therefore, the use of the drug in young children is permissible, but only under the supervision of a specialist.
"Afloderm" (cream): analogues
If this drug does not fit in its action, price or for some other reason, then it is replaced with drugs similar in their properties. It can be Fusimet ointment, Resuscitator cryogel, Mycospor preparation, Fluorocort ointment.
Many of them are cheaper than Afloderm cream, but despite this, they have a similar effect on the skin.
Cost of Afloderm cream
Cream and ointment "Afloderm" are sold only in pharmacies. Cream in a tube of 40 grams costs about 450 rubles, and the price of 20 grams of the drug is 350 rubles. The prices for the ointment are exactly the same as for the cream.
Reviews of doctors and patients
"Afloderm" (cream) reviews of doctors are classified as effective hormonal drugs. It is recommended to use the medicine for children from the age of six. It is said that the drug helps to cure dermatitis, gives a good result for eczema and quickly relieves redness from insect bites. Does not cause negative reactions. To prevent the drug from becoming addictive, you should not use it for a long time.
Among patients, reviews are very different. One drug helped. They noted the effectiveness and speed of the cream. Felt the effect of the drug from the first days of use. Parents were also pleased with the result. They say that in two applications the cream removed mosquito bite marks, dermatitis and other skin rashes. The medicine has a good effect on the skin with eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis. Some people point out thatafter the drug is discontinued, the eczema condition may return to its original state, therefore, Afloderm is used in combination with other means.
There are those for whom the drug did not help, but there are few such people. As a rule, they used the product on rough and thick areas of the skin to eliminate the inflammatory process. Some people do not like the fact that the drug is hormonal and addictive, so they try to use it only as needed. They think that the price of the product is too high.
No side effects were found during the use of Afloderm in any of the patients. In general, patients are satisfied with the drug. It is well tolerated by both children and adults. Acts quickly and effectively.
