NICAM GEL
Alternate Name:
Nicotinamide
Pack Quantity: 60g
NICAM GEL
Alternate Name:
Nicotinamide
Pack Quantity: 60g
1.WHAT NICAM GEL IS AND
WHAT IT IS USED FOR•
Nicam Gel is a skin treatment for
inflamed pimples and spots.
The medical term for this condition is
mild to moderate inflammatory acne
vulgaris. It involves inflamed pimples
(papules) and spots containing pus
(pustules), often with skin redness
(erythema) and some tenderness.
The condition occurs mainly on the
face, back and chest.
Nicam Gel is suitable for use by
adults, children and the elderly.
The active ingredient in this product
is nicotinamide. This ingredient treats
pimples and spots by its antiinflammatory
activity, which reduces
swelling, redness and tenderness.
Nicotinamide is not an antibiotic, it is
related to an essential vitamin in our
diet (Vitamin B3.)
2. BEFORE YOU USE NICAM GEL
Do not use Nicam Gel if you are allergic
(hypersensitive) to nicotinamide or any
of the other ingredients of Nicam Gel
listed in Section 6.
Take care when using this product:
Only apply it to your skin.
When using it on your face, keep it
away from your eyes, and avoid
getting it inside your nostrils, on your
lips or inside your mouth.
Depending on how sensitive your skin
tends to be, it may be a good idea
initially to test the gel on a small area,
and wait 24 hours before using it on
larger areas. This is especially
advisable if you have unusually
sensitive skin or if you are treating the
face (as generally applies when using
any new treatment for the first time).
Using other medicines
Nicam Gel is not known to affect, or to
be affected by, any other medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
There are no specific restrictions to
using Nicam during pregnancy or
breast-feeding. Vitamin B derivative
requirements, such as nicotinamide, are
increased during pregnancy and infancy.
However, although there are no known
potential risks, as with any medicine
caution should be exercised, particularly
in the first three months of pregnancy.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice
before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machinery
Using this product is not known to affect
your ability to drive or use machinery.
3. HOW TO USE NICAM GEL
For adults, children and the elderly:
Apply the gel twice daily over and
around the affected skin areas as follows:
Wash the area.
Gently pat the skin dry (avoid rubbing
as this may aggravate the skin).
Apply a thin film of gel, and gently
massage it in.
Continue using the gel twice daily in
this way for as long as necessary, (unless
irritation occurs †see Section 4).
Depending on the severity of your acne,
it can take several weeks for the skinâ€s
normal repair process to work before you
see a real improvement in your skin.
If the product gets into the eyes
or mouth
The product may cause irritation if it gets
into the eyes or mouth. Rinse affected
areas with plenty of water. If rinsing one
eye, take care to avoid washing product
into the other eye. If irritation persists tell
your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to use this product
Do not worry if you occasionally forget to
use this product, just carry on using it
when you remember.
If you have any further questions on the
use of this product, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Although Nicam Gel has been specially
designed for use on all skin types
including problem skin, it can cause
side effects, although not everybody
gets them.
• Occasionally, susceptible individuals
can experience local skin dryness.
If this is unacceptable, or causes
irritation or peeling, try applying the
gel only once a day or every other day.
• Very occasionally, allergic reactions
such as itching (pruritus), redness
(erythema), swelling or burning
sensations can occur.
Stop using this product and tell your
doctor or pharmacist if any side effect
gets serious, or you notice any other side
effects not mentioned in this leaflet.
continued‌
XP3/08/2
nicotinamide
PACKAGE LEAFLET Information for the user
Read all of this leaflet carefully before using this product.
Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
5. HOW TO STORE NICAM GEL
• Keep it out of the reach and sight of
children.
• Always replace the cap tightly after use.
• Do not store the product above 25°C.
• Do not use after the expiry date shown
on the tube and carton. The expiry
date refers to the last day of that month.
• Medicines should not be disposed of
via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist how to dispose
of medicines no longer required.
These measures will help to protect
the environment.
6. FURTHER INFORMATION
ABOUT NICAM GEL
What Nicam Gel contains:
The active ingredient is nicotinamide
(4% w/w).
The other ingredients are aluminium
magnesium silicate, hypromellose, citric
acid anhydrous, macrogol lauryl ether,
ethanol anhydrous and purified water.
What Nicam Gel looks like and
contents of the pack
• The product is a translucent gel.
• The product is available in tubes
containing 60g of gel. (6g tubes are
available to the medical and allied
professionals.)
The Marketing Authorisation holder is
Dermal Laboratories, Tatmore Place,
Gosmore, Hitchin, Hertfordshire,
SG4 7QR, UK.
The Manufacturer is Pharmasol Ltd,
North Way, Walworth Industrial Estate,
Andover, Hampshire, SP10 5AZ, UK.
The Agent in Ireland is Cahill May
Roberts, Pharmapark, Chapelizod,
Dublin 20.
This leaflet was last approved in
June 2008.
HEALTH EDUCATION
INFORMATION
What Is Acne?
Acne is a skin disorder that occurs
mainly on the face, back and chest. It
affects a high proportion of both sexes,
most commonly between the ages of 14
and 20, although it can last well into
adulthood or even occur for the first time
in adults. The early stages of acne often
involve blackheads and whiteheads
(doctors refer to these as â€comedonesâ€).
These can develop into red or inflamed
pimples or spots (â€papulesâ€) which often
contain pus (so-called â€pustulesâ€). In a
few severe cases, groups of spots may
become very inflamed and form cysts.
Acne is a very common skin complaint,
affecting about 70% of teenagers.
Whether you have just a few spots, or a
hundred, it tends to be regarded as acne.
What Causes Acne?
Acne is not caused by eating too
many sweets, chocolate or fatty foods
(although healthy eating and a healthy
lifestyle is good for your general health).
Neither is it caused by not washing
properly (although a good skin care
routine is an important part of treatment).
The exact cause of acne is not fully
understood, but we do know that it
involves the hair follicles in our skin and
their associated oil-producing glands (the
so-called â€pilosebaceous unitsâ€). Often
around the onset of puberty, hormones
stimulate increased production of sebum
(oil) by these glands. Although normally
this sebum flows out to lubricate the
skin, when too much of it is produced
it can become trapped within the
pilosebaceous units where it forms a
dark coloured plug or â€blackhead†where
the opening is wide, or a light coloured
plug or â€whitehead†where the opening is
narrow. Inflammatory acne begins when
a common type of skin bacteria called
P. acnes †which is normally harmless â€
starts to break down the trapped sebum.
This process releases chemicals that
cause inflammation in the surrounding
skin, and leads to redness and the
formation of â€angry†or inflamed-looking
pimples and spots. These feel sore
and tender, frequently contain pus and
eventually burst open onto the skin
before settling down. If the inflammation
is deep in the hair duct, or if the spot is
squeezed too early or aggressively, the
pus can rupture into the skin and cause
even more inflammation, and in extreme
cases can even cause scarring.
Important tips when treating acne
• Take care to cleanse your skin
thoroughly and regularly, but try not
to clean too aggressively as this can
make matters worse.
• Many acne patients find their skin
becomes excessively dry. If this happens,
ask your doctor or a pharmacist about
suitable skin moisturisers.
• Carefully follow the instructions
supplied with any medication you are
using, as this will give you the best
chance of clearing your condition.
• When using treatments applied to the
skin, you will need to treat all the involved
skin area, not just each individual spot.
• Try to avoid picking or severely squeezing
your spots because this can make
matters worse and lead to scarring.
• Persevere with treatment because it
can take several weeks for the skinâ€s
normal repair process to work.
• For further independent help and
advice contact the Acne Support
Group www.stopspots.org.
To listen to or request a copy of this
leaflet in Braille, large print or audio,
please call free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only).
Please be ready to give the following
information: Nicam Gel, 00173/0166.
This is a service provided by the Royal
National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
XP3/08/2
Pus collects
in hair follicle
Papule/
Pustule
Surface Sticky Plug
of skin
Bacteria
act upon
the sebum
releasing
chemicals
that cause
inflamation
