Caladryl lotion is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and itching associated with insect bites, minor cuts and skin irritations and rashes caused by poison oak, poison sumac or poison ivy. It may also dry up the oozing and weeping sometimes associated with these rashes. While the active ingredients of Caladryl work to relieve bothersome symptoms, other inactive ingredients are added to the lotion to preserve its integrity and shelf-life.
Active Ingredients
The active ingredients in Caladryl lotion are 8 percent calamine and 1 percent pramoxine HCl. Calamine is a skin protectant that soothes irritated and itchy skin, while pramoxine HCl is a topical analgesic that relieves pain.
Preservatives
Caladryl lotion contains two types of parabens called methylparaben and propylparaben. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), parabens are the most widely used preservatives in the cosmetic industry, aiding in maintaining products' chemical stability and integrity. Two or more parabens may be combined to prevent contamination from bacteria or other microorganisms.
Camphor is a white, fragrant substance that is sometimes used as an active ingredient in medications to help relieve itching and skin redness. In Caladryl lotion, it is used as an inactive ingredient to help preserve the pharmaceutical mixture.
Diazolidinyl Urea is a preservative and anti-microbial agent used in Caladryl lotion. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), it is highly water soluble and can easily be incorporated into many pharmaceutical formulations. It is commonly used in combination with parabens for preservative purposes. Based on a review of safety data, the NIEHS have concluded that more research is needed to clarify any possible toxicity effects.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Glycol is a liquid additive commonly used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It is an inert (inactive) substance that helps to dilute drug formulations without interfering with the strength, quality or purity of the mixture. Known as an excipient, it also serves as a carrier for the active ingredients in drug formulations, helping to carry the drug to and promote its release in its intended place in the body.
Emulsifying Agents
Hypromellose is an emulsifying agent or detergent that is commonly added to drugs to help promote mixing and suspension of pharmaceutical formulas.
Xanthan gum is a corn sugar gum that is used to thicken, suspend, and promote mixing and consistency of drug mixtures. It helps to improve shelf life of products like Caladryl lotion. It is also used to stabilize the formulation and maintain its integrity over time.
Polysorbate 80 is a water-soluble liquid derived from sorbitol and oleic acid. It is a detergent and emulsifier that is used to promote the mixture of ingredients in drug formulations.
SD Alcohol 38-B
SD Alcohol 38-B is a type of "specifically denatured" ethanol (referred to as Alcohol Denat.) that is commonly added to cosmetics and pharmaceutical drugs. According to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, specifically denatured alcohol is alcohol that is no longer drinkable because certain denaturing agents have been added. It is used as a solvent (a substance that dissolves another) in drug formulations.
Other Ingredients
Purified Water is added to Caladryl lotion for dilution purposes, and fragrance is added to give the formulation a characteristic odor.
