Ingenol (Topical application)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 23, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Picato

Uses for ingenol

Ingenol topical is used to treat a skin condition called actinic keratosis on the face, scalp, body, arms, or legs.

Ingenol is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using ingenol

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 ingenol, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ingenol 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

Appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of ingenol topical for actinic keratosis have not been performed in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ingenol topical in the elderly.

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.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of ingenol. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Other skin problems (eg, patients who have received treatment with other medicine, procedure, or surgery)—Should not be used until your skin has healed from other treatments.

Proper use of ingenol

It is very important that you use ingenol only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.

Ingenol is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. Do not apply ingenol to your nipple or areola, if you are breastfeeding. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away with water.

Be careful not to get any of ingenol in your eyes, bec...