Monoguard B Cream

Composition of Monoguard B Cream

Monoguard B Cream contains Sertaconazole + Beclometasone. It belongs to the Antifungal and Inhaled bronchodilator / corticosteroid class of medicines.

Uses of Monoguard B Cream

• This medicine is used in the treatment of fungal skin infection
• ringworm
• athlete's foot
• dandruff
• nail fungal infection
• asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Key benefits

• Acts directly on the infected skin
• Little absorption into the body
• Acts directly in the lungs with minimal effect elsewhere
• Prevents attacks when used daily as a preventer
• Portable and fast acting

How Monoguard B Cream works

This medicine combines 2 active ingredients: Sertaconazole and Beclometasone. Sertaconazole kills the fungus on the skin by breaking down the membrane that holds its cells together. Beclometasone is breathed straight into the lungs, where it opens the airways and reduces the swelling inside them, so less of the medicine reaches the rest of the body.

How to take Monoguard B Cream

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 is unlikely from skin use; swallowing the preparation may cause stomach upset. It can cause a racing heart, marked tremor, headache and a fall in blood potassium. Do not wait for symptoms to appear — go to the nearest emergency department and take the pack or strip with you.

Side effects of Monoguard B Cream

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

• Burning or stinging
• Redness
• Itching
• Dryness
• Peeling
• Throat irritation
• Hoarse voice
• Oral thrush
• Tremor
• Fast heartbeat
• Headache

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 Monoguard B Cream

Warnings and precautions

Keep applying for the full period your doctor stated, usually two to four weeks, and for a week or two after the rash has cleared. Stopping when it looks better is why ringworm keeps coming back. Apply a little beyond the visible edge of the patch — the fungus extends further than the redness. Do not use a combination cream containing a steroid on a fungal infection unless a doctor has specifically prescribed it. The steroid calms the redness while the fungus spreads underneath. See a doctor if the rash covers a large area, involves the scalp or nails, or has not improved in two weeks — these usually need tablets as well. Know which of your inhalers is the reliever and which is the preventer. A preventer must be used every day even when you feel well; a reliever is for symptoms. Seek emergency care if your reliever is not working, if you cannot speak a full sentence, or if you are using the reliever far more often than usual. Rinse your mouth with water and spit it out after every steroid inhaler dose to prevent thrush and hoarseness. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to watch your technique — poor technique is the commonest reason an inhaler seems not to work. Use a spacer if one has been advised, particularly for children.

Do not take Monoguard B if

Not for anyone with a known allergy to this medicine or to any ingredient in the pack. For external use only. Not for use in the eyes. Not for anyone with a known allergy to the propellant used in the inhaler.

Interactions with other medicines

No significant interactions are expected from preparations used on the skin. Beta blockers, including eye drops for glaucoma, can tighten the airways and reduce the effect of your reliever.

How to store Monoguard B Cream

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 Monoguard B Cream

Keep the area clean and completely dry — fungus thrives in moisture and sweat. Wear loose cotton clothing, change it daily, and wash clothes and towels in hot water. Do not share towels, and treat affected family members at the same time. Keep a spare reliever and check the counter so you are not caught with an empty one. Follow your written asthma action plan if you have one. Do not stop a preventer because you feel better — that is the medicine working.

Manufacturer and class

Manufacturer:

MICRO LABS

Therapeutic class:

Topical antifungal and Anti-asthmatic

Drug class:

Antifungal and Inhaled bronchodilator / corticosteroid