What is this medication for?
Calamine works by creating a cooling, soothing and protective barrier on the skin. This relieves minor skin irritations such as itch from insect bites, heat rash, chickenpox and sunburn. In heat rash (also known as prickly heat), Calamine helps to dry up the small fluid filled blisters.
Calamine lotion may sometimes contain menthol for an extra cooling sensation on the skin.
How should I take or use this medication?
- Shake bottle well before use.
- Apply liberally with a cotten ball or clean fingers to affected areas on the skin as needed.
- Then allow lotion to dry on the skin.
- Avoid contact with broken skin and eyes.
- Do not take orally.
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
As Calamine lotion is used when needed to relieve itch, it is not necessary to apply it on a fixed schedule. Please check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- Your skin condition is not getting better but seems to be getting worse
- You are going for an X-ray (as Calamine lotion may mask the X-ray picture being taken)
If you have any question about this medication, please discuss with your healthcare professional.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
Calamine lotion is usually well-tolerated.
Common side effects may include mild redness or irritation of the skin where the lotion is applied.
- Stop the use of this medication and consult your healthcare professional.
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:
They are available in English, 中文, Melayu and தமிழ்: Drug Allergies
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
How do I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Disclaimer
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side-effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore