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

Burns, erysipelas, eczema;
discoid lupus erythematosus, rosacea, solar eczema and smallpox as a sunscreen as part of complex therapy;
infiltrative-suppurative form of microsporia and trichophytosis;
streptoderma (impetigo), staphyloderma (ostiofolliculitis, sycosis, boils and hidradenitis);
arthritis and neuralgia of traumatic and inflammatory origin;
prostatitis, metritis, parametritis, salpingitis and other inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs.

Pharmacological effect

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

Mechanism of action. The effect of ichthyol is due to the presence of thiophenol components (the main of which is thiophene), containing up to 10.5% organically bound sulfur.

Ichthyol thiophenes have a bactericidal effect against gram-positive microorganisms (including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes), as well as yeast-like fungi due to denaturation of the transmembrane proteins of their cells. Ichthyol has no effect on gram-negative microorganisms.

Immediately after application of the ointment, its mild irritating effect appears in the form of a feeling of warmth and hyperemia at the site of application of the medicine. It is associated with the direct activation of pain and thermoreceptors in the tissue by the thiophenol components of the ointment.

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

Subsequently (after 1-2 hours), the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of the ointment on the deeper layers of soft tissue at the site of application appears.

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

Eliminates skin itching and processes of excessive keratinization of the skin by disrupting the inclusion of new protein molecules in the keratin composition. At the same time, the skin becomes less dense, its elasticity improves, excessive peeling and keratinized dense growths in places of pressure and friction disappear.

Ichthyol has a photoprotective effect and reduces skin sensitivity to UV irradiation.

Pharmacokinetics

Once applied to intact skin, the subocclusive dressing is slowly absorbed. Systemic absorption is 5-10%. The absorbed part of the thiophenol components of ichthyol is released into bile and removed from the body through the intestines.

Special instructions

Ichthyol ointment is not recommended to be used without consulting a doctor.

Active ingredient

Ichthammol

Composition

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

Excipients: Vaseline – 80.0 g.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to ichthyol components.

Side Effects

Skin allergic reactions.

Interaction

It enhances the effect of other photoprotective agents (phenyl salicylate, PABA and dioxomethyltetrahydropyrimidine), however, it is pharmaceutically incompatible with zinc oxide (forms a precipitate), therefore during photoprotective therapy it should not be used in conjunction with creams and ointments containing zinc oxide.

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

Dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl alcohol and glycerin, when applied simultaneously with ichthyol ointment, enhance the systemic absorption of ichthyol and increase its depth of penetration into the soft tissues in the application area.

Storage conditions

In a cool place, protected from light.

Shelf life

3 years.

Manufacturer

Ozon, Russia