Dermatop (Prednicarbate)

Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with DERMATOP topical can increase the amount of medicine your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more likely to absorb large amounts of a topical steroid through the skin. Steroid absorption in children may cause unwanted side effects, or a delay in growth with long-term use. Talk with your doctor if you think your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medication over a long treatment period.

Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve within 2 weeks of using this medicine, or if you develop signs of a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to DERMATOP .

To make sure you can safely use DERMATOP topical, tell your doctor if you have any type of skin infection.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Topical steroid medicines absorbed through the skin may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether DERMATOP topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

DERMATOP  topical cream or ointment contains an ingredient that can break down latex rubber, such as a condom or diaphragm. This can damage these items and make them less effective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. Avoid getting DERMATOP topical on a condom or diaphragm. This medication should not be used in the vagina or rectum.

It is not known whether DERMATOP topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Stop using DERMATOP topical and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights;
• mood changes;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• weight gain, puffiness in your face; or
• muscle weakness, feeling tired.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild skin rash, itching, burning, swelling, or dryness;
• thinning or softening of your skin;
• skin rash or irritation around your mouth;
• swollen hair follicles;
• numbness or tingling;
• changes in color of treated skin;
• blisters, pimples, or crusting of treated skin; or
• stretch marks.

DERMATOP topical should not be used to treat any skin condition your doctor has not prescribed it for.  Avoid using DERMATOP topical to treat skin on your face, underarms, or groin area without your doctor's advice.

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, nose, mouth, rectum, or vagina. If this does happen, rinse with water. Do not use DERMATOP topical on broken or infected skin. Also avoid using this medication in open wounds.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied DERMATOP. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin. Do not use this medication over a large area of skin. Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with DERMATOP topical can increase the amount of medicine your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve within 2 weeks of using this medicine, or if you develop signs of a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection. It is important to use DERMATOP topical regularly to get the most benefit.

An overdose of DERMATOP topical is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.