benzalkonium chloride + light liquid paraffin + triclosan: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Reserve for its licensed preventive role in eczema at risk of infection; it is not licensed as a general treatment for every skin infection.
• Ensure patients and carers understand dilution, eye and skin exposure precautions, slipping risk and emollient-related fire safety.
• Safety and efficacy have not been established in infants younger than 6 months, and the product is not recommended for this age group.
• Assess individual fire risk, particularly with smoking, oxygen use, impaired mobility or substantial fabric contamination.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity to benzalkonium chloride, light liquid paraffin, triclosan or any excipient.
• Avoid undiluted contact with skin and eyes.

Monitoring

• No routine laboratory monitoring is specified.
• Review for irritation, erythema, itching, burning, dermatitis, peeling or application-site hypersensitivity.
• Reassess if suspected infection progresses or requires specific antimicrobial treatment.

Clinical pharmacology

Light liquid paraffin acts as an emollient and protective agent. Benzalkonium chloride is a quaternary-ammonium antiseptic; triclosan is a chlorinated bisphenol antiseptic. Systemic absorption from correctly diluted bath use is expected to be low.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected product information covers Oilatum Plus, Oilatum Junior Flare-Up and Oilatum Antiseptic Bath Emollient as bath additives.
• The formulation contains acetylated lanolin alcohols, which can cause local skin reactions.
• Do not confuse these products with leave-on Oilatum preparations or plain Oilatum bath emollients containing different active ingredients.