Salicylic Acid

(sal i SIL ik AS id)

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to salicylic acid or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat pimples (acne).
• It is used to treat dandruff.
• It is used to get rid of calluses, corns, and warts.
• It is used to treat psoriasis.
• It is used to control seborrheic dermatitis.

How does this drug work?

• It works at lower strengths to soften and shed unwanted skin.
• It works at higher strengths to get rid of warts on the skin.

How is this drug given?

• Do not give by mouth. Use on your child's skin only. Keep out of your child's mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
• Wash your hands before and after use.
• Pimples (acne):
• Creme, cloth, foam, or liquid cleanser:
• Use on clean affected skin 1 or 2 times each day or as you have been told by your doctor.
• Put a thin layer on the affected part and work into a lather and rinse.
• Wet cloth with water before use.
• Shower/bath gels or soap:
• Use to clean every day in the shower or bath.
• Work into a lather and rinse.
• Gel, pad or patch:
• Wash affected skin and pat dry.
• Let skin dry for 5 minutes before putting on patch.
• Put patch on the affected skin before bedtime.
• Take off patch in the morning.
• Put a thin layer of gel on the affected part and rub in gently.
• Use pad to put on a thin layer of salicylic acid to affected part.
• Do not leave pad on skin.
• If peeling happens, lower the number of times the drug is used.
• Use 1 to 4 times every day or as you have been told by your doctor.
• Callus, corns, or warts:
• Wash affected skin and pat dry.
• You may soak the affected part for 5 minutes.
• Shake foam well before use.
• Put foam on affected part and rub in gently.
• Put gel or liquid on affected part and let dry.
• Trim patch to cover the affected skin.
• 40% patches are used once every other day.
• Take off patch (15%) or rinse off gel in the morning.
• You may repeat 1 or 2 times a day or as you have been told by your doctor.
• Dandruff, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis:
• Some products may be left in place overnight.
• Cream, ointment:
• Put on clean, dry skin.
• Put on up to 4 times a day or as you have been told by your doctor.
• Do not put ointment on the face or scalp.
• Shampoo:
• Wet hair before shampoo.
• Work into hair or affected skin gently.
• Leave on hair for a few minutes.
• Rinse fully.
• Put on 2 to 3 times a week or as you have been told by your doctor.

How long does this drug take to work?

• It may take a few days to weeks to see the full effect.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with the doctor.
• If your child has kidney disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has poor blood flow, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has chickenpox or the flu, talk with the doctor.
• Patch:
• If your child is having an MRI, talk with the doctor. The patch will need to be taken off.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Skin irritation.
• Rash.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Peeling.

What do I need to watch for when my child is using this drug?

• Change in the health problem being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• For unwanted side effects of this drug.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has a change in thinking clearly and with logic.
• If your child has shortness of breath.
• If your child has a bad headache.
• If your child has very bad belly pain.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has ringing in ears.
• If your child has bad dizziness.
• If your child has very bad skin irritation.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from water. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.