Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Altargo
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
ALTARGO™ 1% ointment is a topical antibiotic used to treat the following uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by certain types of bacteria, in adults and children aged nine months and older:
impetigo (small, liquid-filled blisters that break and
develop a yellowish crust)
- small infected cuts, abrasions and sutured wounds
What it does:
ALTARGO™ stops bacteria from making protein, which helps to slow or stop bacterial growth.
When it should not be used:
Do not use ALTARGO™ if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ALTARGO™ or any of its components (see What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are).
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Retapamulin
What the important nonmedicinal ingredients are:
White soft paraffin containing butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
What dosage forms it comes in:
1% ointment
ALTARGO™ 1% ointment is available in 5 g, 10 g and 15 g tubes.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
ALTARGO™ is for external use only. Do not ingest. Do not use ALTARGO™ in the eyes, on the mouth or lips, inside the nose, or inside the female genital area. If you accidentally use ALTARGO™ inside your nose, you could have a nose bleed.
BEFORE you use ALTARGO™ talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
you are pregnant (or planning to become pregnant)
- breastfeeding (or planning to breastfeed)
If an allergic reaction or severe irritation occurs, stop using ALTARGO™, carefully wipe off the ointment and contact your doctor.
In case of accidental contact with eyes, rinse thoroughly with water.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
No drug interactions are known in adults. If the patient is a child less than two years old who is being treated with any other medicines, including ketaconazole, your doctor may decide that the other medicine should not be used at the same time as ALTARGO™. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medications, including herbal medications, that you are taking.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Usual dose: Adults, children and infants over 9 months of age
Apply a thin layer of ointment to affected area twice daily for 5 days. If your condition does not improve after 3 to 4 days of treatment, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor may or may not recommend the use of a dressing (e.g., gauze) after ALTARGO™ application to the affected areas.
Wash hands after use to help prevent the spread of infection to yourself or to others. Impetigo can spread easily from one person to another.
Consult your doctor before applying other topical products to the infected area.
Overdose:
Overdosage with ALTARGO™ has not been reported. If you accidentally swallow ALTARGO™, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
2010-11-29-131-pristine-english-altargo.doc
Page 28 of 28 Missed Dose:
If you miss an application of ALTARGO™, apply the
ointment as soon as you remember and continue with the next
application at the usual time.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
ALTARGO™ may cause application site reactions (such as skin irritation, redness, itching, and hypersensitivity (allergic) reactions with symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips or tongue, pain or a burning sensation or rash (contact dermatitis)). If any of these side effects are severe, stop using ALTARGO™, carefully wipe off the ointment, and contact your doctor.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking ALTARGO™ 1% ointment, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
ALTARGO™ 1% ointment should be stored at or below 25°C. Keep out of reach of children. Discard tube after end of treatment.
MORE INFORMATION
This document plus the full Product Monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found at:
http://www.gsk.ca or by contacting the sponsor, GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
7333 Mississauga Road
Mississauga, Ontario
L5N 6L4
1-800-387-7374
Last revised: November 29, 2010
© 2010 GlaxoSmithKline Inc. All Rights Reserved
™ ALTARGO is a trademark used under license by GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS
You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:
- Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
- Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program Health Canada
Postal Locator 0701E Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect™ Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.