Sudocrem

Sudocrem
Founded 1931[1]
Founder Thomas Smith
Services Medication
Owner Actavis plc
Website http://www.sudocrem.com

Sudocrem is an over-the-counter medicated cream aimed primarily at the treatment of nappy rash. It contains a water-repellent base (consisting of oils/waxes); protective and emollient agents; antibacterial and antifungal agents; and a weak anesthetic. As well as nappy rash, it can also be used to treat eczema, bedsores, acne, minor burns, surface wounds, sunburn and chilblains.[2][3]

It was manufactured by pharmaceutical company Forest Laboratories Europe up until July 2014 when the company was acquired by, and combined with, Actavis plc.[4]

History

Sudocrem was developed in 1931 by Dublin-based pharmacist Thomas Smith. It was originally called "Smith's Cream" with the name changing to Sudocrem in the 1950s. During the 1960s, samples of Sudocrem given to new mothers in Ireland increased the popularity of the product and the brand was gradually introduced to the UK in the 1970s. According to the Sudocrem official website it has since become the leading nappy rash cream in both Ireland and the UK.[5]

As of 2015, Sudocrem is still manufactured in Dublin (in the Baldoyle area of the city) and is often seen as a quintessentially Irish product.[6] A 2012 Irish Independent article even stated: "Sudocrem is the spuds and bacon of skincare creams, the Guinness of gentle nappy rash reliefs and the Tayto of topical ointments,"[7] following reports in the British and Irish media that celebrities were using the product to treat acne. Guinness stout and Tayto crisps are known as iconic Irish products,[8] and the potato is a well known staple of the Irish diet.

There are now three Sudocrem branded products available in the UK: the original antiseptic healing cream,[9] Sudocrem Care and Protect which is a nappy rash preventative [10] and Sudocrem Skin Care Cream which is an everyday acne cream aimed at the youth market.[11]

Ingredients

Ingredient % (w/w) properties
Excipients 79.2% water-repellent base
Zinc oxide, EP 15.25% astringent, soothing, protective
Lanolin (hypoallergenic) 4.00% emollient
Benzyl benzoate, BP 1.01% pesticide
Benzyl alcohol, BP 0.39% mild anesthetic, disinfectant
Benzyl cinnamate 0.15% antibacterial, antifungal

Sources:[12][13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Sudocrem: About Us Page". sudocrem.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Sudocrem: Antiseptic Healing Cream". sudocrem.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "Sudocrem on Electronic Medicines Compendium". medicines.org. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "About Us". FRX Europe. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Sudocrem: History Page". http://www.sudocrem.co.uk/''. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  6. ↑ McCarthy, Noelle. "Spot the difference - Irish Examiner". irishexaminer.com. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Sudocrem: The cream of the crop". independent.ie. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Hickey, Kate. "Top ten facts about Guinness: Irish Central". irishcentral.com. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream". sudocrem.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Sudocrem Care and Protect". sudocrem.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Sudocrem: Sudocrem Skin Care Cream". sudocrem.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "Sudocrem on Electronic Medicines Compendium". medicines.org. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Sudocrem: Antiseptic Healing Cream". sudocrem.co.uk. Retrieved 6 February 2015.