Ichthyol ointment 20% 25 g

Ichthyol ointment has a pronounced local anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect, has antipruritic and keratostatic effects.

The mechanism of action. The action of ichthyol is caused by the presence of thiophenol components (the main one is thiophene) containing up to 10,5% of organically bound sulfur.

The thiophenes of ichthyol have bactericidal action against Gram-positive microorganisms (including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes) and also yeast-like fungi due to denaturation of transmembrane proteins of their cells. Ichthiol has no effect on gram-negative microorganisms.

After application of the ointment there is a slight irritant effect in the form of a feeling of warmth, hyperemia in the area where the drug is applied. It is associated with direct activation of the thiophenol components of the ointment by pain and thermoreceptors in the tissue.

After irritation of the pain receptors, impulses, through the sensitive nerve fibers, are transmitted to the spinal cord, where they activate trophic reflexes of the sympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic impulses stimulate blood circulation in the soft tissues and skin, enhance regeneration and metabolic processes in the skin.

In a subsequent (1-2 h) anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of the ointment on the deeper layers of the soft tissues at the place of application is manifested.

The local anti-inflammatory action of ichthyol is associated with reduction of synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators, acceleration of their metabolism. Ichthiol inhibits migration of leukocytes to the inflammation focus in response to chemotactic factors – complement C5a component, leukotriene B4 and tripeptide Met-Leu-Phe.

It also reduces skin itching and keratinization by disrupting the incorporation of new protein molecules into keratin while reducing skin tightness, improving elasticity, excessive flaking, and keratinous thick patches where pressure or friction is applied.

Ichthiol has photoprotective properties and reduces the skin’s sensitivity to UV radiation.

Pharmacokinetics

After application to intact skin, the subcutaneous dressing is slowly absorbed. Systemic absorption is 5-10%. The absorbed part of thiophenol components of ichthyol is excreted into the bile and removed from the body through the intestine.

Indications

Active ingredient

Composition

100 g of the ointment with the active substance concentration of 20% contains the active ingredient: ichthyol (ichthammol) – 20.0 g.

Ancillary substances: Vaseline – 80.0 g.

How to take, the dosage

Interaction

It enhances the effect of other photoprotective agents (phenylsalicylate, PABA and dioxomethyltetrahydropyrimidine), but is pharmaceutically incompatible with zinc oxide (it forms a precipitate), so it should not be used together with creams and ointments containing zinc oxide in photoprotective therapy.

Incompatible in solutions and lotions with iodine salts, alkaloids, salts of heavy metals.

Dimethylsulfoxide, ethyl alcohol and glycerin when applied simultaneously with ichthyol ointment increase systemic absorption of ichthyol and increase its penetration into the soft tissue of the application area.

Special Instructions

Contraindications

Side effects

Similarities