light liquid paraffin + white soft paraffin: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm the exact product and excipients where previous emollient sensitivity has occurred.
• Counsel every patient or carer about fabric contamination and fire risk, particularly where there is smoking, oxygen use, reduced mobility or extensive application.
• The selected formulation contains benzyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol and potassium sorbate, which may cause allergic or local skin reactions.

Contraindications and cautions

• Known hypersensitivity to either active ingredient or any formulation excipient.

Monitoring

• Clinical response and continued suitability of the formulation.
• Application-site irritation, contact dermatitis or hypersensitivity.
• Understanding and management of emollient-related fire risk.

Clinical pharmacology

The paraffins form an occlusive surface film that reduces transepidermal water loss. Systemic exposure after topical application is expected to be low; formal pharmacokinetic data are not applicable in the selected product information.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected tube product is a white to off-white cream.
• Its excipients include povidone, glycerol, benzyl alcohol, cetostearyl alcohol and potassium sorbate.
• Formulations sold under related names may have different active ingredients, excipients or administration methods; check the individual product information.