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Drug information

OTC
Read time: 3 mins
Last updated: 15 Jun 2020

Summary of product characteristics


1. Name of the medicinal product

Selsun Shampoo 2.5%


2. Qualitative and quantitative composition

Each 100 ml of suspension contains 2.5 g of Selenium Sulphide Ph. Eur.


3. Pharmaceutical form

Shampoo

Smooth, pale yellow to beige uniform suspension.


4.1. Therapeutic indications

In the management of simple dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp


4.2. Posology and method of administration

Apply topically to the scalp.

Adults and the elderly:

After thoroughly wetting the hair massage Selsun in to form a lather. Rinse after 2 to 3 minutes.

Usage should be twice a week for the next two weeks to control the condition. After this initial course of treatment Selsun should not be used more often than necessary.

Children aged 5 – 14 years:

As for adults.

Children under 5 years of age:

Not recommended.


4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

Do not allow contact with broken or severely inflamed skin.


4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

For external use only. Keep out of eyes; if Selsun gets into the eyes, wash thoroughly with cold water.

Do not leave the shampoo in contact with the hair or skin for more than the recommended duration as irritation, burning sensation or blistering may occur and do not use more often than recommended (see Section 4.2).

Selsun is not to be ingested.

In the event of accidental ingestion, take all appropriate measures immediately.

Selsun must not be applied to or on infected or broken skin as this may cause systemic absorption of the selenium sulfide


4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

If the hair has been damaged by chemical substances (like dyeing or bleaching products or as a result of a permanent wave or relaxing treatment) or if the hair is grey or white, discoloration of the hair may occur. In order to avoid discoloration of the hair it must be thoroughly rinsed immediately after use

Selsun should be very thoroughly rinsed from the hair before dyeing, tinting, or permanent waving the hair. It should not be applied for a period of two days before or after any of these procedures.

Gold, silver and other metallic jewelry should be removed prior to use of Selsun, since discoloration of the metals may occur.


4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

There are no adequate data from the use of selenium sulphide in pregnant women. Animal studies are insufficient with respect to effects on pregnancy, foetal development and postnatal development.

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.


4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive or use machines have been performed.


4.8. Undesirable effects

Immune system disorder:

Frequency unknown:

Hypersensitivity, rash and urticarial

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

Frequency unknown:

Irritation and sensitization, sometimes described as a burning sensation, Blistering can occur, especially if the shampoo is kept in contact with hair or skin for longer than the recommended duration.

Alopecia can occur.

Hair color changes may occur; this can be avoided or minimized by thorough washing of the hair after treatment.

Seborrhea (oiliness of hair and scalp) or application site dryness may occur.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.


4.9. Overdose

If ingested, vomiting should be provoked and general supportive measures given.


5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties

Selenium sulphide appears to have a cytostatic effect on cells of the epidermis and follicular epithelium, thus reducing corneocyte production. Selsun acts as an antiseborrhoeic agent which effectively controls itching and scaling dandruff. It has activity against certain dermatophytes including Pityrosporum orbiculare, the organism causing pityriasis versicolor (tinea versicolor).


5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties

Not applicable.


5.3. Preclinical safety data

No additional preclinical information, relevant to the indication, is presented.


6.1. List of excipients

Bentonite, titanium dioxide, citric acid, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, glyceryl monoricinoleate S, monoethanolamine lauryl sulphate, Empigen BB, perfume, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide for pH adjustment, purified water.


6.2. Incompatibilities

None known.


6.3. Shelf life

3 years.


6.4. Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25°C.


6.5. Nature and contents of container

High density polyethylene bottles fitted with wadless caps, containing 50, 100 or 150ml.


6.6. Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Not applicable.


7. Marketing authorisation holder

Aventis Pharma Limited (trading as Sanofi)

410 Thames Valley Park Drive

Reading

Berkshire

RG6 1PT

United Kingdom


8. Marketing authorisation number(s)

PL 04425/0683


9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation

16 December 2002


10. Date of revision of the text

4 June 2020

4.1 Therapeutic indications

In the management of simple dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Apply topically to the scalp.

Adults and the elderly:

After thoroughly wetting the hair massage Selsun in to form a lather. Rinse after 2 to 3 minutes.

Usage should be twice a week for the next two weeks to control the condition. After this initial course of treatment Selsun should not be used more often than necessary.

Children aged 5 – 14 years:

As for adults.

Children under 5 years of age:

Not recommended.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients.

Do not allow contact with broken or severely inflamed skin.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

For external use only. Keep out of eyes; if Selsun gets into the eyes, wash thoroughly with cold water.

Do not leave the shampoo in contact with the hair or skin for more than the recommended duration as irritation, burning sensation or blistering may occur and do not use more often than recommended (see Section 4.2).

Selsun is not to be ingested.

In the event of accidental ingestion, take all appropriate measures immediately.

Selsun must not be applied to or on infected or broken skin as this may cause systemic absorption of the selenium sulfide

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

If the hair has been damaged by chemical substances (like dyeing or bleaching products or as a result of a permanent wave or relaxing treatment) or if the hair is grey or white, discoloration of the hair may occur. In order to avoid discoloration of the hair it must be thoroughly rinsed immediately after use

Selsun should be very thoroughly rinsed from the hair before dyeing, tinting, or permanent waving the hair. It should not be applied for a period of two days before or after any of these procedures.

Gold, silver and other metallic jewelry should be removed prior to use of Selsun, since discoloration of the metals may occur.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

There are no adequate data from the use of selenium sulphide in pregnant women. Animal studies are insufficient with respect to effects on pregnancy, foetal development and postnatal development.

Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive or use machines have been performed.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Immune system disorder:

Frequency unknown:

Hypersensitivity, rash and urticarial

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

Frequency unknown:

Irritation and sensitization, sometimes described as a burning sensation, Blistering can occur, especially if the shampoo is kept in contact with hair or skin for longer than the recommended duration.

Alopecia can occur.

Hair color changes may occur; this can be avoided or minimized by thorough washing of the hair after treatment.

Seborrhea (oiliness of hair and scalp) or application site dryness may occur.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

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Disclaimer

The drug SPC information (indications, contra-indications, interactions, etc), has been developed in collaboration with eMC (www.medicines.org.uk/emc/). Medthority offers the whole library of SPC documents from eMC.

Medthority will not be held liable for explicit or implicit errors, or missing data.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions 

Drug Licencing

Drugs appearing in this section are approved by UK Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), & the European Medicines Agency (EMA).