Dimethicone

Pharmacologic Category

Protectant, Topical; Topical Skin Product

Dosing: Adult

Skin protectant: Topical: Apply to affected area as needed.

Dosing: Geriatric

Refer to adult dosing.

Dosing: Renal Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Hepatic Impairment: Adult

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Pediatric

Skin protectant: Infants, Children, and Adolescents: Topical: Apply to affected area(s) as needed.

Dosing: Renal Impairment: Pediatric

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Dosing: Hepatic Impairment: Pediatric

There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.

Use: Labeled Indications

Skin protectant: To protect and prevent chafed, chapped, cracked, or windburned skin or lips or other minor skin irritations (eg, diaper rash, perineal dermatitis). Product-specific indications may vary; also refer to manufacturer's labeling.

Administration: Topical

For external use only; avoid contact with eyes. Formulation-specific application instructions may vary; also refer to manufacturer's labeling.

Administration: Pediatric

Topical: For external use only; avoid contact with eyes. Do not use on deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns. Formulation-specific application instructions may vary; refer to manufacturer's labeling.

Storage/Stability

Store at room temperature; do not freeze. Avoid excessive heat.

Medication Safety Issues

​Look alike/sound alike issues:

​International issues:

Contraindications

There are no contraindications listed in the manufacturer's labeling.

Warnings/Precautions

Other warnings/precautions:

• Self-medication (OTC use): For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes; flush with water with accidental contact. Do not apply to animal bites, deep puncture wounds, infected skin, or serious burns. Notify health care provider if symptoms worsen, do not improve within 7 days, or clear up and reoccur within a few days.

Pregnancy Considerations

Dimethicone is not absorbed systemically following topical administration (Nair 2003). Use during pregnancy would not be expected to result in significant exposure to the fetus.

Breast-Feeding Considerations

Dimethicone is not absorbed systemically following topical administration (Nair 2003). Exposure via breast milk would not be expected.

Adverse Reactions

No ADRs in manufacturer's labeling.

Metabolism/Transport Effects

None known.

Drug Interactions Open Interactions

There are no known significant interactions.

Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification

• P03AX05

Mechanism of Action

Forms a protective layer on the skin that acts as a barrier to moisture loss and a protector against repeated hydration and chemical irritants.

Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Absorption: Little to no absorption.

Index Terms

Dimeticone

References

4-N-1 (dimethicone) cream [prescribing information]. North Bergen, NJ: DermaRite Industries LLC; received September 2020.

AloeVesta (dimethicone) lotion [prescribing information]. Greensboro, NC: ConvaTec Inc; November 2019.

Aveeno (dimethicone) lotion [prescribing information]. Skillman, NJ: Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies; December 2019.

Aveeno Baby (dimethicone) lotion [prescribing information]. Skillman, NJ: Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies; received September 2020.

Cavilo Durable Barrier (dimethicone) cream [prescribing information]. St. Paul, MN: 3M Health Care; June 2020.

Comfort Shield Barrier (dimethicone) cream cloths [prescribing information]. Cary, IL: Sage Products LLC; January 2019.

Moisturel (dimethicone) lotion [prescribing information]. Rockaway, NJ: Warner Chilcott (US) LLC; May 2019.

Monistat Care Chafing Relief (dimethicone) powder gel [prescribing information]. Langhorne, PA: Insight Pharmaceuticals LLC; February 2019.

Nair B; Cosmetic Ingredients Review Expert Panel. Final report on the safety assessment of stearoxy dimethicone, dimethicone, methicone, amino bispropyl dimethicone, aminopropyl dimethicone, amodimethicone, amodimethicone hydroxystearate, behenoxy dimethicone, C24-28 alkyl methicone, C30-45 alkyl methicone, C30-45 alkyl dimethicone, cetearyl methicone, cetyl dimethicone, dimethoxysilyl ethylenediaminopropyl dimethicone, hexyl methicone, hydroxypropyldimethicone, stearamidopropyl dimethicone, stearyl dimethicone, stearyl methicone, and vinyldimethicone. Int J Toxicol. 2003;22(suppl 2):S11-S35.[PubMed 14555417]

Proshield Plus (dimethicone) ointment [prescribing information]. Fort Worth, TX: Smith & Nephew Inc; received June 2015.

Remedy Cleansing Body (dimethicone) lotion [prescribing information]. Northfield, IL: Medline Industries Inc; received September 2020.

Vaniply (dimethicone) ointment [prescribing information]. Rochester, MN: Pharmaceutical Specialties Inc; received March 2018.

Brand Names: International

Dicon-I (IN); Hedrin (GB); Lice Clear (MY); Nyda (DE); NYDA (GB); Piky (PT); Polysilane Gel (AE, KW); Sensei (CL); Struendox (CL); XT Luis (NL)

Last Updated 9/21/20