Calamine
A puddle of calamine lotion next to a pink plastic bottle | |
| Combination of | |
|---|---|
| zinc oxide | astringent |
| ferric oxide | antipruritic |
| Clinical data | |
| Pronunciation | KAL-ə-mine[1] |
| Other names | Calamine lotion |
| License data | |
| Routes of administration | Topical |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
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Calamine, also known as calamine lotion, is a medication made from a combination of powdered zinc oxide and 0.5% ferric oxide (Fe2O3)[2] that is used to treat mild itching.[3][4] It benefits sunburn, insect bites, allergenic irritation, and other mild skin conditions,[5][6] and may also help dry out secretions resulting from skin irritation.[1] Its name comes from calamine, a historic name for the zinc ores smithsonite and hemimorphite.
Calamine is applied to the skin as a cream or lotion.[3] The lotion has been in use since 1500 BC[7] and is now produced with additional ingredients such as phenol and calcium hydroxide.[2][8]
Calamine is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[9] It is sold over the counter as a generic medication.[6] Side effects may include skin irritation.[5] It is considered to be safe in pregnancy.[5]
Medical uses
Calamine is used to treat itch,[3] as from sunburn, insect bite, poison ivy, poison oak, and other skin irritants.[5][6] The FDA recommends applying topical over-the-counter skin products such as calamine to absorb skin weeping caused by poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, although the FDA advises a cold water compress and topical corticosteroids to treat pain and itch they cause.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Calamine (topical) medical facts from Drugs.com". www.drugs.com. Archived from the original on 2017-11-07.
- ^ a b Braun-Falco O, Plewig G, Wolff HH, Burgdorf W (2012). "Topical Therapy". Dermatology (2nd ed.). Springer Science & Business Media. p. 1724. ISBN 9783642979316. Archived from the original on 2016-12-29.
- ^ a b c British National Formulary: BNF 69 (69 ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. p. 801. ISBN 9780857111562.
- ^ World Health Organization (2009). Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR (eds.). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. p. 303. hdl:10665/44053. ISBN 9789241547659.
- ^ a b c d "Aqueous Calamine Cream BP - Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) - (eMC)". www.medicines.org.uk. 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b c Hamilton R (2015). Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2015 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition. Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 191. ISBN 9781284057560.
- ^ Darnton-Hill I, Ahmed F, Samman S (2016). "The impact of micronutrients on inflammation and health in low-and middle-income countries.". In Bendich A, Deckelbaum RJ (eds.). Preventive Nutrition: The Comprehensive Guide for Health Professionals (5th ed.). Springer. pp. 597-644 (608). ISBN 9783319224312. Archived from the original on 2016-12-30.
- ^ Ma JK, Hadzija B (2012). "Rheology in Pharmacy". Basic Physical Pharmacy. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. p. 327. ISBN 9780763757342. Archived from the original on 2016-12-30.
- ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
- ^ "Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants". U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Consumer Updates. 9 June 2021 [Originally posted c. June 2009, since updated but advice unchanged]. Archived from the original on 5 June 2009.
External links
- "Calamine". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022.