Resorcinol (topical)

Resorcinol helps by breaking down rough, scaly, or hardened skin. It also disinfects the skin to help prevent infection.

Resorcinol topical (for the skin) is used to treat pain and itching from minor cuts and scrapes, burns, insect bites, poison ivy, sunburn, or other skin irritations. Resorcinol topical is also used to treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, seborrhea, corns, calluses, warts, and other skin disorders.

Resorcinol may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. Resorcinol topical is for use only on the skin. Do not use this medicine on open wounds or on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, or irritated skin.

Your dosage of this medicine will depend on the condition you are treating. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much medicine to use and how often.

Apply only enough of the medicine to cover the area to be treated, and rub in gently.

Your body may absorb resorcinol through the skin if you use too much or if you apply it over large skin areas. Skin that is cut or irritated may also absorb more medicine.

Wash your hands after applying this medicine, unless you are treating a skin condition on your hands.

Resorcinol topical may darken light-colored hair.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using resorcinol topical.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Keep the tube or bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Follow all instructions on your medicine label and package. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you are using.

You should not use resorcinol if you are allergic to resorcinol.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have other medical conditions, especially:

• allergies to foods or dyes; or
• if you are allergic to an animal.

It is not known whether resorcinol (topical) will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether resorcinol (topical) passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not use this medicine on a child younger than 2 years old without medical advice.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although the risk of serious side effects is low when resorcinol (topical) is applied to the skin, side effects can occur if the medicine gets into your bloodstream. Your body may absorb resorcinol (topical) through the skin if you use too much or if you apply it over large skin areas. Skin that is cut or irritated may also absorb more medicine.

Resorcinol (topical) may cause serious side effects. Stop using resorcinol (topical) and call your doctor at once if you have:

• headache, tired feeling, shortness of breath;
• blue-colored skin;
• fast or irregular heartbeats;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• weak or shallow breathing.

Children can absorb larger amounts of this medicine through the skin and may be more likely to have side effects.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Dermatological Disorders:

Resorcinol topical 2% ointment:Apply to affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Dermatological Disorders:

Resorcinol topical 2% ointment:2 years or older: Apply to affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily.

Since resorcinol (topical) is sometimes used as needed, you may not have a set dosing schedule. If you do have a schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to compensate for the missed dose.

An overdose of resorcinol (topical) is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if someone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

Do not apply resorcinol (topical) near your eyes. Rinse with water if the medicine gets in your eyes.

Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps, shampoos, or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime.

Avoid using other skin medications on the areas you treat with resorcinol (topical) unless your doctor tells you to.

It is not likely that other drugs you take by mouth or inject will affect resorcinol (topical) that you apply to your skin. However, many drugs can interact with each other. Inform all of your health care providers about all medications you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.