mucopolysaccharide polysulfate + salicylic acid: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm that symptoms are suitable for local symptomatic treatment and review persistent or worsening symptoms.
• Check for asthma, renal impairment, pregnancy, breastfeeding and concomitant prescribed medicines before recommending use.
• Systemic salicylate effects are theoretically possible despite substantially lower absorption than with oral formulations.
• Counsel about the fire risk from product-contaminated fabrics.

Contraindications and cautions

• Age under 12 years.
• Hypersensitivity to either active ingredient or any excipient.
• Aspirin or NSAID hypersensitivity, particularly when associated with asthma.
• Application to large areas, broken or sensitive skin, infected skin, eczema or mucous membranes.
• Application to the breast during breastfeeding.

Monitoring

• No routine laboratory monitoring is specified for normal topical use.
• Assess local skin tolerability and stop treatment if excessive irritation occurs.
• In accidental ingestion, assess for salicylate toxicity and monitor salicylate concentration, acid–base status and electrolytes as clinically indicated.

Clinical pharmacology

Mucopolysaccharide polysulfate has anti-inflammatory, anti-exudative, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic properties described in the product information. Salicylic acid provides keratolytic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Cutaneous systemic exposure is low, and serum mucopolysaccharide concentrations are below levels expected to affect coagulation.

Formulation and product differences

• The gel contains rosemary oil with fragrance allergens that may cause allergic reactions.
• The cream contains lanolin and cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions such as contact dermatitis.
• Both formulations have the same licensed indications and active ingredients.