Consumer medicine information

Metvant Ointment; Metvant Fatty Ointment

Methylprednisolone aceponate

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Metvant

Active ingredient

Methylprednisolone aceponate

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Metvant Ointment; Metvant Fatty Ointment.

SUMMARY CMI

METVANT® OINTMENT
METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

1. Why am I using METVANT®?

METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT contains the active ingredient methylprednisolone aceponate. It is used to relieve the redness, swelling, itching and irritation of the skin in eczema and psoriasis patients.

For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using METVANT®? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I use METVANT®?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to methylprednisolone aceponate, other corticosteroid medicines applied to the skin or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Do not use on open wounds or other treated skin areas.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use METVANT®? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT and affect how it works.

A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I use METVANT®?

Apply thinly to the affected area of skin.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use METVANT®? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while using METVANT®?

Things you should do
  • Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT.
  • Stop using METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT if you develop a skin allergy.
  • Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.
Looking after your medicine
  • Keep METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT in a cool, dry place, stored below 25°C.

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using METVANT®? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Common side effects include itching, burning and redness.

For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.



FULL CMI

METVANT® OINTMENT
METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT

Active ingredient(s): methylprednisolone aceponate (meth'il-predd-niz-oh-lone ass-epp-on-eight)


Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using this medicine.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using this METVANT®?
2. What should I know before I use METVANT®?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use METVANT®?
5. What should I know while using METVANT®?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I using METVANT®?

METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT contains the active ingredient methylprednisolone aceponate. METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT is a corticosteroid suitable to put on the skin.

METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT is used to relieve the redness, swelling, itching and irritation of the skin in eczema and psoriasis.

Eczema is a skin condition with redness, swelling, oozing of fluid, crusting and later scaling. It is often very itchy.

Psoriasis is a skin disorder with raised, rough, reddened areas covered with dry, fine, silvery scales.

2. What should I know before I use METVANT®?

Warnings

Do not use METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT if:

You are allergic to methylprednisolone aceponate or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.

You are allergic to any other similar corticosteroid medicine that is applied to the skin.

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not use METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT if you have a virus such as chicken pox or shingles.

Do not use if the area of skin you are treating also has:

  • an infection due to tuberculosis or syphilis
  • a skin reaction following a vaccination.

Do not use METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT on your face if you have acne, rosacea, ulcers, atrophic skin disease or perioral dermatitis. Your doctor will identify these conditions for you.

Keep METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT away from eyes.

Do not let this medicine come into contact with deep open wounds or mucous membranes (such as inside your mouth, throat or nose). Do not swallow METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT. It should be used only on the skin.

Do not use in children under 4 months of age. There is lack of experience with using this medicine in this age group.

Check with your doctor if you:

  • have any other medical conditions.
  • take any medicines for any other condition.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT.

4. How do I use METVANT®?

How much to use

  • Apply thinly to the affected area of skin.
  • Follow the instructions provided and use this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.

When to use METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT

Treatment of eczema:

Use METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT once a day to treat the affected skin or as directed by your doctor.

Treatment of psoriasis:

Use METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT once or twice a day on the patches of psoriasis or as directed by your doctor.

Usually, treatment with METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT is for up to 12 (twelve) weeks in adults and 4 (four) weeks in children.

Treatment with METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT should be for the shortest possible time period and minimised to only on affected area. This is particularly important when using METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT under bandages.

This is particularly important when treating large areas, and in children.

Excessive application of topical corticosteroids to large areas of the body for prolonged periods of time can increase the risk of side effects. Discuss this with your doctor.

If you forget to use METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT

METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT should be used regularly at the same time each day. If you miss your dose at the usual time, use it as soon as you remember, then go on as before.

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

If you use too much METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT

If you think that you have used too much of METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

  • phone the Poisons Information Centre
    (by calling 13 11 26), or
  • contact your doctor, or
  • go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

If you use too much or use it for a long time, you may notice the following in the treated area:

  • your skin becomes thinner.
  • pink/purple stretch marks appear.
  • a network of tiny blood vessels appears.

Stop using this medicine if you have these symptoms and tell your doctor. These symptoms usually disappear about two weeks after you stop using METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT.

5. What should I know while using METVANT®?

Things you should do

Stop using this medicine if you develop a skin allergy.

If your eczema or psoriasis is infected, you must:

  • use specific anti-infection treatments prescribed by your doctor.
  • stop using this medicine if the infection spreads.

If you are going to start any new medicine, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are using METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT.

If you become pregnant while using METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT, tell your doctor immediately.

Things you should not do

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly.
  • Do not use METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
  • Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT affects you.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.

Alcohol may affect how your medicine works.

Looking after your medicine

  • Keep this medicine in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:

  • in the bathroom or near a sink, or
  • in the car or on window sills.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effectsWhat to do
  • itching
  • burning
  • redness
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effectsWhat to do
  • thinning of the skin
  • the appearance of fine blood vessels on the skin surface
  • stretch marks
  • acne
  • infection of hair follicles
  • excessive unwanted hair growth
  • redness and irritation around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)
  • skin discolouration
  • allergic skin reactions.
Call your doctor straight away or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell. Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What METVANT® OINTMENT contains

Active ingredientMethylprednisolone aceponate 1 mg/g (0.1% w/w)
Other ingredients
  • white soft paraffin
  • liquid paraffin
  • white beeswax
  • Dehymuls E – ARTG PI No. 1786
  • purified water

What METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT contains

Active ingredientMethylprednisolone aceponate 1 mg/g (0.1% w/w)
Other ingredients
  • white soft paraffin
  • liquid paraffin
  • microcrystalline wax
  • hydrogenated castor oil

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What METVANT® OINTMENT looks like

METVANT® OINTMENT is a white opaque ointment with a firm consistency. Available in 15g aluminium tube fitted with a white HDPE screw cap.

AUST R 425593

What METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT looks like

METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT is a white to off-white greasy ointment. Available in 15g aluminium tube fitted with a white HDPE screw cap.

AUST R 425592

Who distributes METVANT® OINTMENT/METVANT® FATTY OINTMENT

Nova Pharmaceuticals Australasia Pty Ltd
Suite 305, 10 Norbrik Drive
Bella Vista, NSW 2153
Australia
Ph: 1800 002 171
www.novapharm.com.au

This leaflet was prepared in November 2024.

Published by MIMS May 2025

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Metvant

Active ingredient

Methylprednisolone aceponate

Schedule

S4