Salicylic Acid (salicylic acid)
Topical Cream (Gram); Topical Film-Forming Liquid With Applicator; Topical Lotion (Ml)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Salicylic acid is a keratolytic agent.
Salicylic acid is used topically for its keratolytic effect in the management of acne and other skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and dandruff; the drug also is used topically for the removal of warts, corns, and calluses.
Generic name: salicylic acid
Pronunciation: (SAL-i-SIL-ik)
Therapeutic class: Dermatological
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Salicylic Acid
Indications
The following indications are listed for Salicylic Acid:
- Calluses And Corns
- Hyperkeratosis
- Verruca Plantaris
- Verruca Vulgaris
Also known as: Callositas, Callosity, Common Warts, Corns And Calluses, Hyperkeratinization, Keratosis, Perkeratosis, Tyle, Tylosis, Verruca Simplex, Verrucae Pedis.
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Salicylic acid is applied topically to the skin as a cake, cream, gel, lotion, ointment, pledget, plaster, shampoo, solution, or suspension. Topical preparations of salicylic acid are for external use only. Contact with the eyes should be avoided; if contact occurs, the affected eye(s) should be washed thoroughly with water.
Prior to topical application, the affected area(s) to be treated should be cleansed and allowed to dry. Prior to removal of warts, corns, and calluses, the affected area may be soaked in warm water for 5 minutes.
Salicylic acid is commercially available in various preparations, some of which are intended for self-medication; the manufacturer's product labeling should be consulted for complete directions regarding appropriate dosage and administration of specific products.
| Drug label | Dosing type | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Salicylic Acid 6% Cream | Maintenance | Apply to the affected area(s) by topical route once daily at bedtime and cover. |
| Salicylic Acid 6% Lotion | Maintenance | Apply to the affected area(s) by topical route once daily at bedtime and cover. |
| Salicylic Acid 27.5% Liquid | Maintenance | Apply by topical route once daily ;cover entire wart surface with 2 applications, allowing the first to dry before applying the second. |
| Drug label | Dosing type | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Salicylic Acid 6% Cream | Maintenance | Apply to the affected area(s) by topical route once daily at bedtime and cover. |
| Salicylic Acid 6% Lotion | Maintenance | Apply to the affected area(s) by topical route once daily at bedtime and cover. |
| Salicylic Acid 27.5% Liquid | Maintenance | Apply by topical route once daily ;cover entire wart surface with 2 applications, allowing the first to dry before applying the second. |
Drug interactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
- Aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease
- Hemolytic anemia from pyruvate kinase and g6PD deficiencies
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
- Peripheral vascular disease
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
Rare or Very Rare
- Anaphylaxis
- Burns
- Dyspnea
- Facial edema
- Hypersensitivity drug reaction
- Periorbital edema
- Pharyngeal edema
- Skin ulcer
- Superficial skin ulcer
- Syncope
- Throat constriction
- Urticaria
More Frequent
- Stinging of skin
Less Frequent
- Dry skin
- Skin irritation
Rare or Very Rare
- Pruritus of skin
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
No enhanced messaging available.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of topical salicylic acid in pregnant women; the drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits justify the possible risks to the fetus.
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to salicylic acid in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman. If used in nursing women, the drug should not be applied to the chest area to avoid accidental contamination of the infant.
No enhanced messaging available.
ICD codes
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Calluses and corns | ||
| L84 | ICD10CM | Corns and callosities |
| Hyperkeratosis | ||
| L85.9 | ICD10CM | Epidermal thickening, unspecified |
| Verruca plantaris | ||
| B07.0 | ICD10CM | Plantar wart |
| Verruca vulgaris | ||
| B07 | ICD10CM | Viral warts |
| B07.8 | ICD10CM | Other viral warts |
| B07.9 | ICD10CM | Viral wart, unspecified |
ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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