Acnewar Plus Gel

Composition of Acnewar Plus Gel

Acnewar Plus Gel contains ADAPALENE-0.1%W/W+DAPSONE-5%W/W. It belongs to the Retinoid / keratolytic and Anti-tuberculosis agent class of medicines.

Uses of Acnewar Plus Gel

• This medicine is used in the treatment of acne
• blackheads and whiteheads
• pigmentation
• rough skin and tuberculosis.

Key benefits

• Clears and prevents acne
• Improves skin texture and marks over time
• Cures tuberculosis when the full course is completed
• Provided free through the national programme

How Acnewar Plus Gel works

This medicine combines 2 active ingredients: Adapalene and Dapsone. Adapalene unblocks the pores and speeds up the turnover of skin cells, so fewer spots form. Dapsone kills the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, over a course lasting several months.

How to take Acnewar Plus Gel

Clean and dry the affected area, then apply a thin layer and rub it in gently. Wash your hands before and after use, unless your hands are the area being treated. This is for use on the skin only — do not swallow it. Follow the dose and the duration written on your prescription.

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not change the dose or stop early on your own.

Missed dose and overdose

If you miss a dose

Apply it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next application, skip the missed one — applying extra does not make up for it.

If you take too much

An overdose of this medicine can cause severe irritation when far too much cream is applied; an oral retinoid taken in excess can cause headache, vomiting and liver injury. It can cause severe liver injury, confusion and fits. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Acnewar Plus Gel

Most side effects of Acnewar Plus are mild and settle as the body adjusts. Reported side effects include:

• Dryness
• Peeling
• Redness
• Burning or stinging
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Orange-red urine
• sweat and tears
• Joint pain
• Tingling in the hands and feet
• Raised liver enzymes

Stop the medicine and seek help immediately for a rash, swelling of the face or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor about any side effect that persists or worries you.

Safety advice for Acnewar Plus Gel

Warnings and precautions

Acne often looks worse for the first two to four weeks before it improves. This is expected — do not stop. Use sunscreen every day. These medicines make the skin burn much more easily. Oral isotretinoin must never be taken in pregnancy — it causes severe birth defects. Reliable contraception and the pregnancy tests your dermatologist requires are essential before, during and after the course. Start with alternate nights and build up, and do not use more than a pea-sized amount for the whole face. Do not combine several strong acne actives at once without advice — the irritation compounds. TB treatment must be taken every day for the whole course, usually six months or more. Stopping early is the main cause of drug-resistant TB, which is far harder to treat. Rifampicin turns urine, sweat and tears orange-red. This is harmless, but it permanently stains soft contact lenses. Report yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, persistent vomiting or severe tiredness at once — the liver needs checking. Report any change in vision, including colour vision, immediately if you are on ethambutol. Rifampicin makes hormonal contraception unreliable. Use an additional method throughout and for a period after the course.

Do not take Acnewar Plus if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. Oral retinoids are absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy and in anyone who might become pregnant without a pregnancy prevention programme. Topical retinoids are avoided in pregnancy. Your doctor will adjust or change the regimen in significant liver disease.

Interactions with other medicines

Do not combine with other peeling agents or with waxing and harsh scrubs. Oral retinoids must not be combined with tetracycline antibiotics. Rifampicin reduces the effect of a very large number of medicines, including contraceptives, blood thinners, steroids, some heart and HIV medicines. Vitamin B6 is usually given alongside isoniazid to prevent nerve damage — take it as prescribed.

How to store Acnewar Plus Gel

Store below 30°C, away from direct sunlight. Close the cap tightly after each use. Keep out of the reach of children.

Expert advice for Acnewar Plus Gel

Apply retinoids at night to clean, dry skin, and moisturise afterwards. Give it at least eight to twelve weeks before judging whether it works. Do not pick or squeeze spots — that is what leaves scars. Take the whole regimen at the same time each day, usually on an empty stomach. Keep every follow-up and sputum test appointment. Tell your treatment supporter or health worker about any side effect rather than stopping on your own.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

AKUMENTIS HEALTHCARE LTD

Therapeutic class:

Anti-acne agent and Anti-tubercular

Drug class:

Retinoid / keratolytic and Anti-tuberculosis agent