Elica contains the active substance Momentasone Furoate which belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. It helps to reduce redness, swelling and irritation of the skin. (These should not be confused with “anabolic” steroids misused by some body builders and athletes and taken as tablets or injections).
Elica is used to help reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems in adults, the elderly and children over the age of 1 year.
These skin problems include:
For children over the age of 1 year, Elica is used for dermatitis that has not responded to milder steroid creams or ointments.
Using this medicine
You usually apply a thin layer of Elica once or twice a day. This may be reduced as your skin begins to get better, or stopped when it is better. Your doctor may prescribe a weaker steroid for you to use instead.
This ointment is for use on your skin only.
If you are also using an emollient (moisturising) preparation, allow time for Elica to soak into your skin before applying the emollient.
Do not use for more than 4 weeks without talking to your doctor. If you need treatment for a long time, your doctor may decide you need to use a milder cream or ointment.
If directed to cover the treated area with a dressing always clean the skin before putting on a fresh dressing, to help prevent infection of the skin beneath the dressing.
If you are applying the ointment on someone else make sure you wash your hands after use or wear disposable plastic gloves.
If your skin problem does not improve in 2 to 4 weeks, talk to your doctor.
What you need to know before you use Elica
Do not use Elica:
if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Momentasone Furoate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine, on a child under the age of 1 year.
To Treat Any Of The Following Skin Problems, It Could Make Them Worse:
Do not use if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Elica.
Warnings And Precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Elica if:
you have previously had an allergic reaction with another steroid.
your doctor has directed you to use an airtight dressing, as dressings make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin. It is possible to accidentally end up using too much ointment and the following symptoms may occur; increased weight, moon face/rounding of the face, skin thinning, changes to the colour of your skin, increased body hair, worsening of condition, pustular psoriasis (if you have psoriasis you may get raised bumps with pus under the skin).
you are applying the cream under an airtight dressing, including a child’s nappy, make sure that the skin is cleansed before a fresh dressing is applied to prevent infections.
you are applying to a large surface area. you are applying the cream on broken or damaged skin or within skin folds.
you have psoriasis, your doctor will want to see you more often.
you have eczema around a leg ulcer, use of a topical corticosteroid may increase the risk of an allergic reaction or an infection around the ulcer.
you are applying to thin skin such as the face, as Elica may cause skin thinning. Use on the face should be limited to only a few days.
you are applying near eyes or eyelids, as cataract (clouding of the eye’s lens) or glaucoma may result if the cream repeatedly enters the eye.
an infection develops during the use of this medicine talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
you experience newly developed bone pain or worsening of previous bone symptoms during a treatment with Elica especially if you have been using Elica for a prolonged time or repeatedly.
you use other oral/topical medication containing corticosteroids or medication intended to control your immune system (e.g. for autoimmune disease or after a transplantation). Combining Elica with these medicines may result in serious infections.
Only use Elica for as long as your doctor recommends. If your condition does not improve within 2 to 4 weeks of treatment, speak to your doctor.
Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances.
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Children
Possible Side Effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop using Elica and tell your doctor as soon as possible if:
you find that your skin problem gets worse, becomes swollen during treatment or you have the following very rare symptoms at the site of application:
You may be allergic to the ointment, have an infection or need other treatment.
Other side effects you may notice when using Elica include:
Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people:
