Brand Names

How to Use

The best for you that you use this drug only as directed . Do not use more of it, do not use it more often and do not use it for a longer time than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your family doctor. To do so may increase the risk of absorption through the skin and the risk of salicylic acid poisoning.

If your family doctor has ordered an occlusive dressing - airtight covering, such as kitchen plastic wrap to be applied over this drug, make sure you know how to apply it. Since an occlusive dressing will increase the amount of drug absorbed through your skin and the possibility of salicylic acid poisoning, use it only as directed. If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.

Keep this drug away from the eyes and other mucous membranes , such as the mouth and inside of the nose. If you must accidentally get some in your eyes or on other mucous membranes, immediately flush them with water for 15 minutes.

To use the cream, lotion, or ointment form of salicylic acid:

• Apply enough drug to cover the effected area and rub in gently.

To use the gel form of salicylic acid:

• Before using salicylic acid gel, apply wet packs to the effected areas for at least 5 minutes. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Apply enough gel to cover the effected areas and rub in gently.

To use the pad form of salicylic acid:

• Wipe the pad over the effected areas.
• Do not rinse off drug after treat.

To use the plaster form of salicylic acid for warts, corns, or calluses:

• This drug comes with patient instructions. Read them carefully before using.
• Do not use this drug on irritated skin or on any area that is infected or reddened. Always do not use this drug if you are a diabetic or if you have poor blood circulation .
• Do not use this drug on warts with hair growing from them or on warts on the face, in or on the genital - sex organs, or inside the nose or mouth. Also do not use on moles or birthmarks . To do so may cause severe irritation.
• Wash the area to be treated and dry thoroughly. Warts may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes before drying.
• Cut the plaster to fit the wart, corn, or callus and apply.
• For corns and calluses:
  • Repeat every 48 hours as needed for up to 14 days, or as directed by your family doctor, until the corn or callus is removed.
  • Corns or calluses may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes to help in their removal.
• For warts:
  • Depending on the product, either:
    • Apply plaster and repeat every 48 hours as needed, or
      • Apply plaster at bedtime, leave in place for at least 8 hours, remove plaster in the morning and repeat every 24 hours as needed.
  • Repeat for up to 12 weeks as needed, or as directed by your family doctor, until wart is removed.
• If discomfort gets worse during treat or continues after treat, or if the wart spreads, check with your family doctor.

To use the shampoo form of salicylic acid:

• Before applying this drug, wet the hair and scalp with lukewarm water. Apply enough drug to work up a lather and rub well into the scalp for 2 or 3 minutes, then rinse. Apply the drug again and rinse thoroughly.

To use the soap form of salicylic acid:

• Work up a lather with the soap, using hot water and scrub the entire effected area with a washcloth or facial sponge or mitt.
• If you are to use this soap in a foot bath, work up rich suds in hot water and soak the feet for 10 to 15 minutes. Then pat dry without rinsing.

To use the topical solution form of salicylic acid for acne:

• Wet a cotton ball or pad with the topical solution and wipe the effected areas.
• Do not rinse off drug after treat.

To use the topical solution form of salicylic acid for warts, corns, or calluses:

• This drug comes with patient instructions. Read them carefully before using.
• This drug is flammable. Do not use it near heat or open flame or while smoking .
• Do not use this drug on irritated skin or on any area that is infected or reddened. Always do not use this drug if you are a diabetic or if you have poor blood circulation .
• Do not use this drug on warts with hair growing from them or on warts on the face, in or on the genital - sex organs, or inside the nose or mouth. Also do not use on moles or birthmarks . To do so may cause severe irritation.
• Avoid breathing in the vapors from the drug.
• Wash the area to be treated and dry thoroughly. Warts may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes before drying.
• Apply the drug one drop at a time to completely cover each wart, corn, or callus. Let dry.
• For warts Repeat one or two times a day as needed for up to 12 weeks, or as directed by your family doctor, until wart is removed.
• For corns and calluses Repeat one or two times a day as needed for up to 14 days, or as directed by your family doctor, until the corn or callus is removed.
• Corns and calluses may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes to help in their removal.
• If discomfort gets worse during treat or continues after treat, or if the wart spreads, check with your family doctor.

Unless your hands are being treated, wash them immediately after applying this drug to remove any drug that may be on them.

Dosage

• For cream dosage form:
  • For corns and calluses:
    • Adults and children Use the 2 to 10% cream as needed. Use the 25 to 60% cream one time every three to five days.
• For gel dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children Use the 0.5 to 5% gel one time a day.
  • For psoriasis:
    • Adults and children Use the 5% gel one time a day.
  • For common warts:
    • Adults and children Use the 5 to 26% gel one time a day.
• For lotion dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children Use the 1 to 2% lotion one to three times a day.
  • For dandruff and antiseborrhic dermatitis of the scalp:
    • Adults and children Use the 1.8 to 2% lotion on the scalp one or two times a day.
• For ointment dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children Use the 3 to 6% ointment as needed.
  • For psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis:
    • Adults and children Use the 3 to 10% ointment as needed.
  • For common warts:
    • Adults and children Use the 3 to 10% ointment as needed. Use the 25 to 60% ointment one time every three to five days.
• For pads dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children Use one to three times a day.
• For plaster dosage form:
  • For corns, calluses, common warts, or plantar warts:
    • Adults and children Use one time a day or one time every other day.
• For shampoo dosage form:
  • For dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp:
    • Adults and children Use on the scalp one or two times a week.
• For soap dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children Use as needed.
• For topical solution dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children Use the 0.5 to 2% topical solution one to three times a day.
  • For common warts and plantar warts:
    • Adults and children Use the 5 to 27% topical solution one or two times a day.
  • For corns and calluses:
    • Adults and children Use the 12 to 27% topical solution one or two times a day.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the drug from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.