Pimafucort – indications, dosage and side effects of cream and ointments for mycosis

Proven content

Pimafucort is an antifungal and bactericidal preparation that is available in ointment and cream forms. It’s a prescription drug. Pimafucort contains three active substances: hydrocortisone, natamycin and neomycin. What are the indications for the use of Pimafucort? When should you not use this medicine and what precautions should you take? Can Pimafucort be used in parallel with other ointments and creams? How to use the preparation correctly? How much does a pack of Pimafucort cost?

Pimafucort – characteristics of ointments and cream

Pimafucort is a combined preparation containing anti-infective drugs (neomycin and natamycin) and a drug from the group of corticosteroids (hydrocortisone). It is used topically to treat skin inflammations complicated by bacterial or fungal infections.

Pimafucort packaging it may contain 15 g of ointment or cream. The preparation is contained in a tube coated with aluminum with a cap, in a cardboard box.

The manufacturer of the Pimafucort ointment and cream is LEO Pharma, i.e. an international Danish pharmaceutical concern founded in 1908. The company’s drugs are present in around 100 countries. The seat of the LEO Pharma concern is in Ballerup near Copenhagen. Medical products offered by LEO Pharma are mainly dermatological preparations. In 1945, LEO Pharma was the first producer of penicillin outside the United States and Great Britain. Protopic is one of the best-known preparations produced by LEO Pharma.

How do corticosteroids work and how do they affect our body? Read: Corticosteroids

Pimafucort – composition and action

The bactericidal and antifungal drug Pimafucort is a combined preparation, the main ingredients of which are neomycin, natamycin and hydrocortisone.

Hydrocortisone is a natural hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, but medicine uses a synthetic substance. This compound belongs to the group of glucocorticosteroids.

Hydrocortisone at physiological concentrations affects the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates and causes the mobilization of fats and an increase in the concentration of free fatty acids in the plasma. Higher concentration of this compound has anti-inflammatory, antiallergic and antipruritic properties. Hydrocortisone has a symptomatic effect on the development of inflammation, but does not remove the cause of the inflammation. It also inhibits immune processes and the production of antibodies.

After oral administration, hydrocortisone is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, the maximum concentration in the blood is reached after an hour. More than 90% of hydrocortisone is bound to plasma proteins. The therapeutic effect of the compound lasts for 6 hours. The biological half-life is 1,5 hours. It is mainly excreted from the body in the urine.

Natamycyna it is an antifungal drug and exhibits fungicidal and protozoicidal properties. This compound belongs to the group of tetraene antibiotics. Natamycin binds to the fungal cell membrane sterols and changes its permeability, which causes the fungal cell to die. This drug is effective against fungi of the genus Candida and some molds (Aspergillus spp. Cephalosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium) and dimorphic fungi. Natamacin is also active against the protozoa Trichomonas vaginalis, T. intestinalis, Giardia lamblia, Chilomastix mesnili.

After administration, natamycin is practically not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It is also not absorbed when applied to the skin or mucous membranes. This compound is not soluble in water. However, it dissolves in organic solvents.

The last ingredient in Pimafucort is neomycyna. It is a drug classified as aminoglycoside antibiotics. This compound has a bactericidal effect on gram-negative bacteria, especially bacilli (except Haemophilus), mycobacteria tuberculosis and S. aureus. It has no effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bactericidal effect of neomycin depends on the concentration of the antibiotic in the focus of infection. Neomycin is not used parenterally due to toxicity.

Neomycin is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in approx. 3%. It reaches a high concentration in the intestines. The plasma half-life of neomycin is 2-3 hours. The absorbed part of the drug is excreted in the urine (approx. 3%), the rest is excreted unchanged in the faeces. In turn, after topical administration, absorption of the drug is negligible, except for burns or open skin lesions.

Pimafucort is available as an ointment and cream. Although the active substances in both forms of the preparation are the same, their composition is slightly different.

1 g cream Pimafucort contains 10 mg of hydrocortisone, 10 mg of natamycin and 3500 IU of neomycin in the form of neomycin sulphate.

The other ingredients in the cream are sodium citrate anhydrous, Emulsifier F, sorbitan stearate, Cetaceum, decyl oleate, macrogol 100 stearate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate, propyl parahydroxybenzoate and purified water.

1 g of Pimafucort ointment contains 10 mg of hydrocortisone, 10 mg of natamycin and 3500 IU of neomycin in the form of neomycin sulphate.

The other ingredients of the ointment are an ointment base containing liquid paraffin and 5% polyethylene.

What is hydrocortisone and when is it worth using? Check: Hydrocortisone – a drug for many diseases

Pimafucort – indications for use

Pimafucort is a preparation that is worth reaching for skin diseases with symptoms of superinfection with bacteria and fungi. Pimafucort cream is recommended in the treatment of acute and subacute conditions as well as lesions located within the hairy skin and skin folds. In turn, Pimafucort ointment is used in the treatment of chronic conditions with peeling, drying or cracking of the skin, especially in seborrheic dermatitis.

What are systemic mycoses and how do they manifest themselves? Read on: Systemic mycoses – a difficult opponent

Pimafucort – contraindications to the use of the drug

Pimafucort cream and ointment, despite their effectiveness in the treatment of fungal infections, cannot be used by every patient struggling with this type of ailments.

Contraindications to the use of Pimafucort are:

1. hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone, natamycin, neomycin or other excipients of the drug;
2. history of adverse reactions to topical corticosteroids, such as perioral perioral dermatitis or stretch marks;
3. skin diseases caused by viral or parasitic infection, primary bacterial infection, or primary fungal or yeast infection;
4. skin ulcers, leg ulcers;
5. burn wounds or wounds;
6. acne vulgaris or rosacea;
7. fish scales;
8. juvenile foot eczema;
9. fragility of blood vessels;
10. skin atrophy.

If you want to know more about what ichthyosis is and how it is treated, read on Fish scales

Pimafucort – precautions

Before and during the use of Pimafucort cream and ointment, follow the precautions included in the package leaflet.

Precautions to keep in mind include:

1. avoid contact of the cream and ointment with the eyes and use of the drug around the eyes;
2. applying the drug to large areas of the skin, in children or under an occlusive dressing may increase the risk of adrenal suppression;
3. patients sensitive to neomycin may develop hypersensitivity to other chemically related antibiotics, such as kanamycin, paromomycin, gentamicin and other aminoglycoside antibiotics;
4. long-term use of the drug and its application to wounds or damaged skin should be avoided;
5. in the event of superinfection or excessive growth of fungi, discontinue use of the drug and apply another method of treatment;
6. consult your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances during treatment;
7. the cream and ointment should be stored in the original packaging in order to protect from moisture, at a temperature not higher than 25 degrees Celsius;
8. the drug should be kept out of the reach of children;
9. the medicine should not be used after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month;
10. this medicine should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. It’s best to ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use.

What should you know about proper drug storage? Check: Medications that are stored wrongly are poisonous

Pimafucort – dosage and method of use

Always use Pimafucort ointment and cream exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Proper use of Pimafucort it consists in applying a small amount of ointment or cream to the diseased skin surface. The drug can be used 2 to 4 times a day. Pimafucort should not be used for more than 14 days.

Do not use the preparation around the eyes and on the mucous membranes and in the ear in the case of perforation of the tympanic membrane. You should also not use this preparation for a long time on damaged skin.

Why is the skin on the fingers cracking? Read on: Cracked skin on the fingers – causes, prevention and treatment

Pimafucort – side effects

Pimafucort cream and ointment, like any other preparation, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report suspicious side effects after authorization of a medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicine can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

The side effects that may occur as a result of the use of Pimafucort cream or ointment include those that occur rarely and very rarely.

Rare side effects from using Pimafucort cream or ointment (less than 1 in 1000 patients):

1. contact allergy to neomycin;
2. skin atrophy with thinning of the skin;
3. perioral dermatitis, which may be accompanied by skin atrophy;
4. dermatitis with symptoms similar to rosacea;
5. skin stretch marks;
6. plamica;
7. skin discoloration;
8. hirsutism;
9. widening of small blood vessels;
10. adrenal suppression;
11. delay in the healing process;
12. “Rebound effect”, that is, the intensification of the symptoms of the disease after discontinuation of the preparation – this reaction may result in local addiction to steroids.

Very rare side effects from using Pimafucort cream or ointment (less than 1 in 10 patients):

1. increase in intraocular pressure;
2. increased risk of cataracts.

Patients also reported blurred vision with the use of the ointment and cream. However, the frequency of this side effect is unknown and cannot be estimated from the amount of data available.

Which fungicidal ointments are the best? Check: What antifungal ointment will be the most effective?

Pimafucort and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using Pimafucort cream or ointment.

In pregnant women, short-term use of the drug is allowed with all precautions. By applying Pimafucort in pregnancy treatment should be shortened to the necessary minimum and the drug should not be applied over large areas of the skin or in the form of occlusive dressings. The reason is that the local application of neomycin may have an ototoxic effect on the fetus.

However, if you are breastfeeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

Pimafucort – interactions with other drugs

Before starting to use Pimafocurt cream or ointment, inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking or have taken recently. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

From a medical point of view, very important interactions occur in the following combinations:

1. Pimafucort i Olumiant – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and baricitinib. These compounds reduce the body’s ability to fight bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Therefore, the risk of infections and inflammation of various organs increases, which can be very difficult and even life-threatening. There may also be inflammation of the diverticula of the large intestine and ulceration of the gastrointestinal mucosa;
2. Pimafucort i Qarziba – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and dinutuximab. The effects of the interactions are the same as those indicated above. In addition, hydrocortisone may reduce the effectiveness of dinutuximab;
3. Pimafucort i Mayzent – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and siponimod. The effects of the interactions are the same as those indicated above;
4. Pimafucort i Rinvoq – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and Upadacitinib. The effects of the interactions are the same as those indicated above;
5. Pimafucort i Xeljanz – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and tofacitinib. The effects of the interactions are the same as those indicated above;
6. Pimafucort i Taliximun, Tacrolimus Accord, Tacroligen, Prograf, Envarsus, Protopic — Ir, Dermitopic, Tacrolimusum Delfarma, Dailiport, Protopic, Advagraf, Modigraf, Cidimus – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. neomycin and tacrolimus. Oral neomycin with tacrolimus increases the risk of renal dysfunction. In case of nausea, vomiting, decreased or increased amount of urine, discoloration of urine, weakness, edema, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure or other disturbing symptoms, contact your doctor;
7. Pimafucort i Quintor, Cetraxal, Ciprobay, Cipronex i inne – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and ciprofloxacin. Concomitant use of drugs increases the risk of inflammation and damage to the tendons. Contact your doctor if you experience pain in the extremities, especially the Achilles tendon, or if you experience any other disturbing symptoms;
8. Pimafucort i Quofenix – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and delafloxacin. The effects of the interactions are the same as those indicated above;
9. Pimafucort i Zyban, Mysimba, Oribion, Wellbutrin Xr — Ir, Mysimba — Ir, Welbox – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and bupropion. These drugs can cause seizures. Their use together increases the risk, especially in patients who have epilepsy or have had epilepsy in the past;
10. Pimafucort i Minirin, Desmoperil, Adiuretin, Adin, Noqturina, Minirin Rhinyle, Minirin Melt – the preparations contain interacting compounds, i.e. hydrocortisone and desmopressin. The simultaneous use of both drugs can cause serious side effects: vomiting, headache, convulsions, disorientation, breathing problems, and even cardiac arrest.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Pimafucort — cena

The price of Pimafucort cream and ointment may differ depending on the city in which the preparation will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the form of the drug. This preparation is not refundable. A package of 15g Pimafucort cream costs about PLN 27. The price of a pack of 15 g of Pimafucort ointment also ranges from PLN 27.

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