About diflucortolone

Diflucortolone is classed as a potent topical corticosteroid. Topical corticosteroids are also referred to as topical steroids. Topical steroids are used in addition to moisturisers (emollients) for treating inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema e dermatite. A topical steroid is used when patches of eczema or dermatitis flare up. Diflucortolone relieves the symptoms of a flare-up by reducing inflammation, itching and redness. It is not a cure for the condition, but it will help to relieve the symptoms.

Specialist skin doctors may on occasion prescribe a short course of diflucortolone for the treatment of psoriasis, although it is not generally recommended for this skin condition. Diflucortolone is not recommended for use in children, although again, it may be prescribed for a child by a specialist doctor under certain circumstances.

Diflucortolone is available as a number of different preparations. It is likely you will be prescribed a cream if the affected areas of your skin are moist or weeping, or an ointment if your skin is dry.

There are two strengths of diflucortolone. Preparations containing 0.1% diflucortolone (Nerisone®) are potent topical steroids, and the higher strength which contains 0.3% diflucortolone (Nerisone Forte®) is classed as a very potent topical steroid. You will have been given the higher strength to use if your flare-up has not responded to a lower-strength steroid cream. As soon as your symptoms improve, the strength of your steroid cream/ointment will be reduced.

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using diflucortolone it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se você tiver alguma área de pele infectada.

• Se você tem rosácea ou acne.

• Se você está grávida ou amamentando.

• Se você já teve uma reação alérgica a uma preparação para a pele.

• Antes de começar a usar a preparação, leia o folheto informativo impresso do fabricante que está dentro da embalagem. Ele fornecerá mais informações sobre esteroides tópicos e lhe dará uma lista completa dos efeitos colaterais que você pode experimentar ao usá-los.

• Apply a small amount to the areas of skin which are inflamed. Then gently rub it into the skin until it has disappeared. Do not use diflucortolone on any open sores or areas of infected skin.

• A quantidade de esteroide tópico que você deve aplicar é comumente medida em unidades de ponta de dedo (UPDs). Uma UPD é a quantidade de creme ou pomada que é espremida ao longo da ponta do dedo de um adulto (ou seja, desde a extremidade do dedo até a primeira dobra do dedo). Como guia, uma UPD é suficiente para cobrir uma área duas vezes o tamanho de uma mão adulta. Seu médico lhe dará uma ideia de quantas UPDs você precisará para cobrir a área da sua pele que está afetada.

• Your doctor will tell you how often to apply diflucortolone. It must not be applied more than twice a day, and once a day is often sufficient.

• Se você estiver usando mais de um corticosteroide tópico, certifique-se de saber quando e onde usar cada um. Se estiver em dúvida, consulte seu médico ou peça mais orientações ao seu farmacêutico.

• After you have applied diflucortolone, remember to wash your hands (unless your hands are the treated area).

• If you are using diflucortolone for psoriasis, make sure you follow your doctor's instructions carefully. It should not be used for large areas of psoriasis or for long periods of time, as these can cause your symptoms to flare up again afterwards.

• Diflucortolone is not suitable for use in children unless it is has been advised by a skin specialist. This is because children are particularly susceptible to side-effects from strong topical steroids. The main concern is for children who need frequent courses, as it can have an effect on their growth and this will need to be monitored. If your child has been prescribed diflucortolone, follow the directions you have been given very carefully, and do not use it for longer than you have been told to. As a general rule, it should not be used for more than five days in children.

• If you are using a moisturiser along with this preparation, apply the moisturiser first. Then wait 10-15 minutes before applying diflucortolone. This allows time for the moisturiser to be absorbed before the topical corticosteroid is applied. Your skin should be moist but not slippery when you apply diflucortolone.

• Do not use diflucortolone on your face unless a skin specialist doctor has said you should. If you have been told to use it on your face, be careful not to get any preparation near your eyes and do not use it for longer periods of time than you have been advised.

• A menos que seja orientado pelo seu médico, não aplique uma bandagem ou curativo na área sendo tratada, pois isso aumentará a absorção da preparação e o risco de efeitos colaterais.

• Continue to use diflucortolone until the flare-up is controlled, and then stop it. A course of treatment for 7 days is usually sufficient. Do not use Nerisone Forte® for more than two weeks, and do not use Nerisone® for more than four weeks. If your symptoms have not improved after this time (or if they get worse), speak again with your doctor for further advice.

• After you finish using diflucortolone, continue to use your moisturiser every day. This will help to prevent a further flare-up. Your doctor may also prescribe a less potent steroid cream for you to use when needed.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. You can reduce the risk of side-effects from diflucortolone by applying the preparation thinly, no more than twice a day, and to the affected areas only.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to diflucortolone, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

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