Salicylic Acid Topical: Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings (2024)

• Uses
  • What Is Salicylic Acid Topical Used For and How Does it Work?
• Dosages
  • Dosages of Salicylic Acid Topical
• Side Effects
  • What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Salicylic Acid Topical?
• Drug Interactions
  • What Other Drugs Interact with Salicylic Acid Topical?
• Warnings and Precautions
  • What Are Warnings and Precautions for Salicylic Acid Topical?

What Is Salicylic Acid Topical Used For and How Does it Work?

Salicylic acid topical is used to treat plantar warts, calluses, corns, seborrheic dermatitis, and psoriasis.

Salicylic acid topical is available under the following different brand names: Compound W, Compound W for Kids, Dr. Scholl's Advanced Pain Relief Corn Removers, Dr. Scholl's Callus Removers, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away OneStep, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away Plantar, Dr. Scholl's Corn Removers, Dr. Scholl's Moisturizing Corn Remover Kit, Dr. Scholl's OneStep Corn Removers, DuoPlant, Durasal, Keralyt, Mediplast, Trans-Ver-Sal AdultPatch, Trans-Ver-Sal PediaPatch, Trans-Ver-Sal PlantarPatch, Sal-Acid, Virasal, and Psoriasin Medicated Wash.

Dosages of Salicylic Acid Topical

Dosage Forms and Strengths

Topical Liquid

• 0.5%
• 1%
• 2%
• 3%
• 6%
• 12.6%
• 13.6%
• 16.7%
• 17%
• 17.6%
• 26%
• 27.5%

Gel

• 2%
• 6%
• 17%

Lotion

• 3%
• 6%

Cream

• 2%
• 6%

Aerosol/Foam

• 6%

Soap

• 2%
• 3%

Strips

• 40%

Pad

• 40%

Disk

• 40%

Plaster

• 40%

Patch

• 15%
• 40%

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Plantar Warts/Calluses/Corns

• Hydrate skin prior to application by soaking in warm water for 5 minutes, then use a cloth, brush, or emery board to loosened wart tissue; dry skin thoroughly
• Liquid (27.5%): Protect surrounding unaffected skin with petrolatum, then apply liquid to each wart and allow to dry before applying a second application; repeat two application process once or twice daily for up to 6 weeks
• Liquid (17%) or gel: Apply to clean dry area at each wart and allow to dry; apply once daily or every 12 hours up to 12 weeks
• Gel (6%): Apply to affected area once daily; may apply at night and rinse off in the morning
• Foam: Apply to affected area every 12 hours; rub into skin until completely absorbed
• Patch (15%): Apply directly over affected area at night and remove in the morning for up to 12 weeks; patch should be trimmed to cover affected area
• Patch (40%): Apply directly over affected area and leave in place for 48 hours; may repeat for up to 12 weeks; may trim patch to cover affected area or secure with adhesive strips
• Plasters/strips: Apply as directed per individual product
• Product content varies, check individual labeling

Children under 12 years: Safety and efficacy not established.

Seborrheic Dermatitis/Psoriasis

• Ointment (3%): Apply to plaques or scales on skin up to every 6 hours (not for use on scalp or face)
• Cream (2.5%): Apply to affected area every 6-8 hours; may be left in place overnight depending on the product
• Shampoo (1.8-3%): Massage product into wet hair or affected area and leave in place for several minutes; rinse thoroughly; may apply two or three times/week or as directed by a healthcare professional; may be left in place overnight depending on the product
• Foam: Apply to affected area every 12 hours; rub into skin until completely absorbed
• Keratolytic for treating skin/scalp seborrhea or psoriasis

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Salicylic Acid Topical?

Side effects of Salicylic Acid Topical may include:

• Stinging/burning of skin
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Ringing in the ears
• Mental confusion
• Peeling
• Scaling
• Burning/irritation on normal tissue at site of exposure
• Hyperventilation

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

What Other Drugs Interact with Salicylic Acid Topical?

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Salicylic acid topical has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.
• Salicylic acid topical has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.
• Salicylic acid topical has no listed moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Salicylic acid topical has no listed mild interactions with other drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Salicylic Acid Topical?

Warnings

This medication contains salicylic acid topical. Do not take Compound W, Compound W for Kids, Dr. Scholl's Advanced Pain Relief Corn Removers, Dr. Scholl's Callus Removers, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away OneStep, Dr. Scholl's Clear Away Plantar, Dr. Scholl's Corn Removers, Dr. Scholl's Moisturizing Corn Remover Kit, Dr. Scholl's OneStep Corn Removers, DuoPlant, Durasal, Keralyt, Mediplast, Trans-Ver-Sal AdultPatch, Trans-Ver-Sal PediaPatch, Trans-Ver-Sal PlantarPatch, Sal-Acid, Virasal, and Psoriasin Medicated Wash if you are allergic to salicylic acid topical or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity
• Prolonged use or application to large areas (risk for salicylism)

Virasal

• Impaired circulation (diabetes)
• Warts with hair growth or on face
• Birthmarks
• Moles

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information available.

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Salicylic Acid Topical?"

Long-Term Effects

• Prolonged use or application to large areas (risk for salicylism)
• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Salicylic Acid Topical?"

Cautions

• External topical use only
• Avoid contact with eyes
• Caution in infants, diabetics, or those with impaired circulation (diabetes)

Pregnancy and Lactation

Use salicylic acid topical with caution during pregnancy if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available or neither animal nor human studies were done.

The effects of salicylic acid topical while breastfeeding are unknown.

Pregnant or breastfeeding patients should seek the advice of health professionals before using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.