Collagenase, Topical

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is put on the skin to clean dead tissue from burns and skin ulcers. Use it exactly as directed.
• This medicine may increase your risk of an infection in your blood. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs of infection.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: debriding ointment

Generic and brand names: collagenase, topical; Santyl

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an ointment used on the skin to clean dead tissue from burns and skin ulcers. It also helps healthy new skin to grow.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I use this medicine?

Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Use the exact amount your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not use more or use it more often than prescribed.

This medicine is for external use only. Keep it out of your eyes.

Before you use this medicine, rub the ulcer or wound gently with a gauze pad soaked in sterile saline or Dakin's solution. Then rinse the wound with sterile saline solution. If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.

Apply the collagenase directly to deep wounds with a wooden tongue depressor. Apply it to shallow wounds using a sterile gauze pad. Then cover the wound with a dressing, and tape the dressing securely. Remove any excess ointment each time you change the dressing.

Stop using collagenase when all dead tissue has been removed and healing is taking place, or when your healthcare provider tells you to stop using the product.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

If your wound gets bigger, smells bad, or has colored discharge or more discharge, contact your healthcare provider right away. You may have an infection or need a change in your treatment. Your provider may tell you to put an antibiotic on your skin right before you apply this medicine.

This medicine may increase your risk of an infection in your blood. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs of infection such as fever, chills, fast heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

This medicine may irritate healthy skin around the wound. Keep the medicine away from healthy skin.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Severe or worsening irritation, stinging or burning where medicine is applied; fever; chills; extreme tiredness.

Other: Minor irritation and burning where medicine is applied.

What products might interact with this medicine?

Do not use the following products on wounds while you are using collagenase:

• Benzalkonium chloride
• Burow's solution
• Hexachlorophene (PHisoHex)
• Povidone-iodine or tincture of iodine
• Products that contain lead, iodine, silver, or mercury (used in some antiseptics)

If you get any of these products on your wound, wash it several times with saline solution or ask your healthcare provider what to do.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.