What is Picato Gel?
Picato is a drug that causes the death of specific cells within the body. Picato gel can be utilized to address the actinic keratosis (warty growths of the skin) on the scalp, face, legs, and arms. Picato gel can be used for other purposes not covered in this medication guide.
Warnings
Make sure you use Picato gel as directed by your physician. If you take too much of this medication or take it for too long, it could increase the risk of serious skin reactions. Follow the instructions on the prescription label.
Cleanse your hands with soap and water prior to and after you apply the gel. Don't apply Picato to sunburned skin or on skin areas that are healing from surgical procedures or treatments with different drugs. You must wait until the conditions have been healed before applying this medication. Avoid getting this medication into your eye. If this happens, then rinse your eyes with water and contact your doctor immediately. Beware of getting the medication into the vagina or in your mouth. If it does end up in one of these places, clean it out with water. Be careful not to let treated skin areas touch other people. Avoid touching the treated area and then the eyes. Consult your doctor if the skin problem doesn't improve or becomes worse after treatment.
Prior to use this drug
It is recommended not to take Picato if you are allergic to ingenol. Ask your doctor about it if you have had treatment for actinic keratosis. When you put Picato on your chest, be sure to avoid areas that might come into contact with your baby's mouth. Picato is not a product that has been approved for use by anyone less than 18 years old.
How to take Picato Gel?
Make sure you apply Picato exactly as directed by your physician. Follow all instructions on the prescription label and study all medication guides or instructions sheets. Utilizing excessive amounts of this medication or taking it for a long time can increase the risk of serious allergic reactions to your skin.
Don't apply Picato less than two hours prior to the time you go to bed. Do not apply the drug just after showering. Do not apply it to sunburned skin or areas of the skin that are healing from surgery or treatment with other drugs. You must wait until the skin conditions have been healed before applying Picato. For 0.015 percent gel, to treat actinic keratosis of the face or scalp, apply the gel once every day for 3 days in a row.
For a 0.05 percent gel to treat keratosis actinic on the legs, arms, or trunk, apply it every day for two days. Hands should be washed with soap and water after applying Picato. Let the skin dry for at least 15 minutes after the application of Picato.
Be careful not to touch, wash, or rub the skin treated with Picato for at least 6 hours following the application of Picato. Avoid any activities that can cause excessive sweating. After six hours have passed, you are able to wash your treated skin with mild soap. Consult your physician if symptoms do not improve or if they become worse. Each ingenol tube is intended for use once only. It is best to dispose of it after one use, regardless of whether there is medicine in the container. Place it in a refrigerator, but do not freeze.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Keratosis:
The scalp and face It is recommended to apply it to the area at least once per day for three consecutive days.
Extremities or trunk Extremities or trunk: This medication should be applied to the area at least once per day for a period of two consecutive days.
Comments:
This drug can be applied to the affected area as long as there is a contiguous area of about 25 cm2 (e.g., 5cm by 5cm) by using a single-dose tube.
After spreading evenly over the area to be treated, the drug should be left to dry for about 15 minutes.
Patients should wash their hands immediately after applying the medication and be careful not to apply the drug to other areas, like the eye.
Patients are advised to avoid washing or touching the area treated for six hours following the application. After this, patients are able to clean the area using mild soap.
The drug is not to be administered by mouth, ophthalmically, or intravaginally.
Use the inducer of cell death to aid in the treatment of atopic keratosis.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Take the medication as quickly as you can; however, do not take the dose you missed if it is close to time for the next dose. Don't apply two doses at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222. The symptoms of an overdose could include skin reactions.
What should be avoided?
This medication can cause serious eye issues should it get into the eyelids. Avoid touching your eyes after applying the medication until you've washed and dried your hands. If contact occurs, you should wash your eyes thoroughly with water, then call your doctor. Do not put this medication in the vagina or in your mouth.
Side effects of Picato
Seek medical attention immediately. If you exhibit symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction, Picato: hives or hives; feeling lightheaded and dizzy; breathing difficulties; wheezing; chest tightness or swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.
See your doctor right away. If you are suffering from:
- Extreme skin redness, flaking, scaling, and swelling.
- Blisters or pus; ulcers or skin break-ups;
- (if the medicine enters the eye): eye discomfort, redness, burning eyes, swelling, and a drooping eyelid.
Picato can cause scars or skin changes in the area where the medication was applied.
Common Picato side effects include:
- A skin reaction that occurred after you applied the medication;
- Discomfort, itching, or an infection in the area where the medication was used;
- Eye swelling;
- Headache or
- Nasal as well as throat inflammation.
This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Skin care products will not be affected by any other medications that you are taking. However, there are many drugs that interfere with each other. Be sure to inform your health care providers about the medications you take, including medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbs.
