Type of medicine: debriding ointment
Generic and brand names: collagenase, topical; Santyl
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.
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.
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.
If the wound is infected (has redness, warmth, or pus in or around it), your provider may tell you to use an antibacterial ointment. If the infection continues, stop using the collagenase and ask your healthcare provider what to do.
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.
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.
This medicine is for external use only. Keep it out of your eyes.
Do not use this medicine if you have any other infection. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may irritate healthy skin around the wound. Keep the medicine away from healthy skin.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
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.
Do not use the following products on wounds while you are using collagenase:
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.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
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.
