Dexpanthenol

South African indications: 

• Nappy rash
• Breast care
• Dry skin 
• Minor skin lesions 
• Adjunct to corticosteroids

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients

Cautions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: oin

Breast care in nursing mothers and treatment of sore or cracked nipples

• Topical (oin): Apply small quantity to affected area, after each breast feeding

Prevention and treatment of chafed, dry, cracked or split skin
Promotion of healing and epithelialization in minor injuries, skin irritations, chronic and decubitus ulcers, anal fissures and skin grafts
Off-day and follow up medication for patients treated with corticosteroids
Treatment of mucosal defects of the cervix

• Topical (oin): Apply small quantity to affected area, dly as often as needed

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: oin

Prevention and treatment of nappy rash

• Topical (oin): Apply small quantity to affected area, at each nappy change

Pregnancy

• Caution
• There are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available

Breastfeeding

• Caution
• It is not known if dexpanthenol is excreted in human milk
• Apply dexpanthenol ointment after breastfeeding

Renal Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Not yet classified (NC)

Drugs in Sport

• Permitted - No warnings

Central Nervous System Disorders

• Agitation
• Paraesthesia

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Decreased blood pressure

Respiratory Disorders

• Dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Diarrhoea
• Increased peristalsis
• Vomiting

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Dermatitis
• Pruritus
• Skin irritation
• Urticaria

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Hypersensitivity reaction

No information available

None routine

Dexpanthenol promotes the formation and functioning of epithelial tissues. Dexpanthenol exerts the same action as pantothenic acid, to which it is converted in the body. A factor of vitamin B complex, pantothenic acid is required by the body for the synthesis of co-enzyme A. This co-enzyme plays an important part in the intermediary metabolism, and above all in synthetic processes. It activates the otherwise torpid acetic acid and this contributes to the formation of fatty acids, cholesterol, citric acid and acetylcholine. It further promotes the acetylation of exogenous substances and thus the process of detoxification.

Dexpanthenol is available in several formulations. Please note the list below gives examples of products which are available and is not necessarily comprehensive. The listing of a product does not constitute endorsement of the product by EMGuidance; likewise, failure to list a product does not imply that EMGuidance disapproves of the product. This information is put together on the basis of the National Government's Medicines Price Registry at the time of publication

Ointment

• Bepanthen (Bayer)