mepyramine maleate: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm that symptoms reflect a limited local reaction rather than anaphylaxis, infection or another dermatosis.
• Avoid application over large or damaged areas because systemic absorption may increase.
• Stop treatment if sensitisation develops.
• The selected product is not licensed for children aged 2 years or younger.
• Consider product-specific pregnancy and breastfeeding restrictions.

Contraindications and cautions

• Hypersensitivity to mepyramine maleate or an excipient
• Eczematous conditions
• Cut, grazed or extensively broken skin
• Sunburnt skin
• Application over large skin areas

Monitoring

• No routine laboratory monitoring is specified.
• Review for worsening local erythema, swelling, itching or other evidence of sensitisation.
• Assess persistent or worsening bite symptoms for infection or a more serious reaction.

Clinical pharmacology

Mepyramine is a topical antihistamine with antipruritic and local analgesic actions. No pharmacokinetic data are provided in the selected SmPC; clinically important absorption is considered unlikely with appropriate topical use but may increase over large areas.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected preparation is a smooth, off-white cutaneous cream.
• It contains ceto-stearyl alcohol, castor oil and methyl hydroxybenzoate, which may cause local or delayed allergic skin reactions.
• Other excipients include polyethylene glycol monostearate, fragrance, silicone antifoam and purified water.

Cream

Route: Cutaneous

Strengths: 2% w/w