Resorcinol and sulfur (Topical)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 27, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In Canada

• Acne-Aid Gel
• Acnomel Skin Tone
• Acnomel Vanishing
• Night Cast S

Available Dosage Forms:

• Lotion
• Cream

Therapeutic Class: Antiacne

Uses for resorcinol and sulfur

Resorcinol and sulfur combination is used to treat acne and similar skin conditions.

Resorcinol and sulfur is available without a prescription.

Before using resorcinol and sulfur

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For resorcinol and sulfur, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to resorcinol and sulfur or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Resorcinol may be absorbed through the skin and should not be used on large areas of the bodies of infants and children. In addition, resorcinol should not be used on wounds, since doing so may cause a blood disease called methemoglobinemia.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of resorcinol and sulfur in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of resorcinol and sulfur

Use resorcinol and sulfur only as directed. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than recommended on the label, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. To do so may increase the chance of absorption through the skin and the chance of resorcinol poisoning.

Before using resorcinol and sulfur, wash the affected areas thoroughly and gently pat dry. Then apply a small amount to the affected areas and spread on gently, but do not rub in.

Immediately after using resorcinol and sulfur, wash your hands to remove any medicin...