Skip to main content

Gel de mébutate d'ingénol

Picato

Clinical author's note Michael Stewart 01/03/2020: In February 2020, the licence of ingenol mebutate (Picato®) was suspended as a precautionary measure while the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continues to investigate concerns about a possible increased risk of skin cancers. Ingenol mebutate will no longer be prescribed by doctors in the UK and EU. The advice for anyone who has used Picato® gel is to check your skin regularly and tell a doctor if you notice any new scaly red patches, open sores, or elevated or warty growths in the treatment area.

Poursuivre la lecture ci-dessous

About ingenol mebutate gel

Type de médicament

A topical treatment for sun-damaged skin

Utilisé pour

Treating solar keratosis

Également appelé

Picato® (discontinued)

Disponible en

Gel

A solar keratosis is a small, thickened, scaly growth which develops on the skin. It is the most common skin condition resulting from sun-damaged skin. Solar keratoses are also known as actinic keratoses. Solar keratoses usually develop on areas of skin which have received a lot of sun exposure. They are usually harmless, but there is a small risk that they may eventually turn into skin cancer. In themselves, solar keratoses are not cancerous.

Topical treatments (meaning you apply them to the skin) are useful if you have a lot of small solar keratoses. Ingenol mebutate is one of the treatments that are available. It kills the abnormal skin cells and fresh normal skin grows back. The brand name for ingenol mebutate gel is Picato®. There are two strengths of gel: the lower strength (150 micrograms/gram) is used for keratoses on the face or scalp, and the higher strength (500 micrograms/gram) is used for keratoses on other areas of the body.

Before using ingenol mebutate gel

To make sure this is the right treatment for you, before you start using ingenol mebutate gel it is important that your doctor knows:

  • Si vous êtes enceinte ou si vous allaitez.

  • Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à une préparation cutanée.

  • If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

Poursuivre la lecture ci-dessous

How to use ingenol mebutate gel

  • Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about ingenol mebutate and a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from using it.

  • Use ingenol mebutate exactly as your doctor tells you to. Each tube is used for one application only, so open a new tube each time you use the gel. Find a convenient time in your day to apply it - do not use it straight after you have had a shower or bath, and do not use it less than two hours before you go to bed. Gently rub the gel on to the area to be treated and allow it to dry for about 15 minutes:

    • If you are using the 150 micrograms/gram strength on your face or scalp, apply the gel once a day for three days in a row.

    • If you are using the 500 micrograms/gram strength on your body or arms/legs, apply the gel once a day for two days in a row.

  • Once you have used the gel, wash your hands well (unless they are the treated area) and try to avoid touching the area for the next six hours. Do not wash the treated area during this six hours.

  • Only use ingenol mebutate on your skin - you must avoid it coming into contact with your eyes and mouth. If this does happen, wash the area with plenty of warm water straightaway.

  • As you use the gel, the area of skin you are treating is likely to become red and swollen. After a week it may blister and peel, but then it will begin to heal. Expect this reaction to happen, but if it becomes severe or if you are concerned about it, speak again with your doctor.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

  • Essayez de respecter les rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Il pourra ainsi vérifier vos progrès.

  • Some people find it helps to apply a moisturising cream to the skin around the damaged areas to help soften the skin.

  • When you have had a lot of sun exposure, your risk of developing skin cancer on some other part of your skin is increased. Check your skin regularly and tell a doctor if you notice any changes, such as new moles, small dark patches developing, or a change in an existing mole.

  • There is some general advice which will help prevent any further sun damage to your skin. Avoid being out in the sun between 11 am and 3 pm. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and which protects against both UVB and UVA light. Apply plenty of the sunscreen, and re-apply it regularly, particularly after swimming and if you are sweating a lot.

Poursuivre la lecture ci-dessous

Can ingenol mebutate gel cause problems?

Local irritation including redness, itching, pain, swelling and peeling can all occur. These effects are normal and show that the gel is working. If the discomfort becomes severe or troublesome, or if you think the area may have become infected, you should contact your doctor for further advice. Also, up to 1 in 10 people using the gel have experienced headache as a side-effect of treatment. If this happens to you, ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the gel, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store ingenol mebutate gel

  • Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

  • Store the gel in a refrigerator.

  • The tubes are for single use only - do not store opened tubes to use later.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments

Cette préparation ne doit être utilisée que sur la peau. Si quelqu'un en avale, il faut se rendre au service des accidents et des urgences de l'hôpital le plus proche. Emportez le récipient avec vous, même s'il est vide.

Si vous achetez des médicaments, vérifiez auprès d'un pharmacien que vous pouvez les prendre en toute sécurité avec vos autres médicaments.

Si vous devez subir une opération ou un traitement dentaire, indiquez à la personne chargée du traitement les médicaments que vous prenez ou utilisez.

Ce médicament est pour vous. Ne le donnez jamais à d'autres personnes, même si leur état semble être le même que le vôtre.

Ne gardez pas les médicaments périmés ou dont vous ne voulez plus. Apportez-les à votre pharmacie locale qui les éliminera pour vous.

Si vous avez des questions sur ce médicament, demandez à votre pharmacien.

Signaler les effets secondaires d'un médicament ou d'un vaccin

Si vous ressentez des effets secondaires, vous pouvez les signaler en ligne sur le site web de la carte jaune.

Autres lectures et références

Historique de l'article

Les informations contenues dans cette page sont rédigées et évaluées par des cliniciens qualifiés.

  • Date de la prochaine révision : 4 mai 2026
  • 9 mai 2023 | Dernière version

    Dernière mise à jour par

    Michael Stewart, MRPharmS

    Examiné par des pairs

    Sid Dajani
Vérification de l'éligibilité à la grippe

Demandez, partagez, connectez-vous.

Parcourez les discussions, posez des questions et partagez vos expériences sur des centaines de sujets liés à la santé.

vérificateur de symptômes

Vous ne vous sentez pas bien ?

Évaluez gratuitement vos symptômes en ligne