Kenacomb ointment is used to relieve the inflammation and itching of skin conditions which are likely to become infected or are already infected.

What is it used for?

  • Inflamed skin conditions, such as eczema or dermatitis, that are infected with bacteria or fungi.

How does it work?

  • This medicine contains four active ingredients, triamcinolone acetonide, neomycin sulphate, gramicidin and nystatin.
  • Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of medicine called a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are medicines used for reducing inflammation. Inflammation of the skin happens due to the irritation of the skin, and is caused by the release of various substances that are important in the immune system. These substances cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in the irritated area becoming red, swollen, itchy and painful.
  • When triamcinolone is applied to the skin it works by acting inside the skin cells to decrease the release of these inflammatory substances. This reduces swelling, redness and itch.
Triamcinolone is a potent corticosteroid that is applied to the skin to treat a wide variety of inflammatory skin diseases, such as eczema.
  • Neomycin, gramicidin and nystatin are all medicines used to treat infections.
  • Neomycin sulphate is a type of antibiotic called an aminoglycoside. It works by entering bacterial cells and interfering with the production of proteins that the bacteria need to divide and multiply. It doesn’t directly kill the bacteria, but leaves them unable to increase in numbers. The existing bacteria eventually die or are destroyed by the immune system.
  • Gramicidin is a different type of antibiotic, and the combination of these two antibiotics provides treatment against a wide variety of bacteria that may infect the skin.
  • Nystatin is an antifungal medicine. It kills fungi and yeasts by interfering with their cell membranes. Nystatin works by binding to a substance called ergosterol, which is a component of fungal cell membranes. Binding to ergosterol disrupts the cell membrane and causes holes to appear. The cell membranes of fungi are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering the cells and stop the contents of the cells from leaking out. As nystatin causes holes to appear in the cell membranes, essential constituents of the fungal cells can leak out. This kills the fungi.
  • The combination of these anti-infective medicines with the anti-inflammatory triamcinolone is used to treat inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, that have become infected with bacteria, fungi or both.
  • Use with caution in

    • Impaired hearing
    • Leg ulcers
    • Skin infections following extensive burns

    Not to be used in

    • Acne vulgaris
    • Children less than 1 year of age
    • Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
    • Inflammatory rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis)
    • Large areas of skin
    • Skin infections with fungi not susceptible to nystatin
    • Skin sores caused by tuberculosis
    • The outer ear if you have a perforated ear drum
    • Viral skin infections such as chickenpox or herpes simplex

    This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

    If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

    Pregnancy and breastfeeding

    • Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
    • The safety of this medicine in pregnancy has not been established. It should therefore be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the benefits to the mother outweigh any risks to the foetus.
    • There is no information available regarding the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

    Label warnings

    • This medication is to be spread thinly and sparingly on the skin.

    Side effects

    Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

    • Thinning of the skin
    • Allergic reaction to active ingredient
    • Stretch marks (striae)
    • Groupings of fine blood vessels becoming prominent under the skin (telangiectasia)
    • Increased hair growth (hirsutism)
    • Impaired wound healing
    • Small purplish blood spots in the skin (ecchymoses)
    • Skin eruptions resembling acne

    The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

    For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

    References:

    https://www.nps.org.au/medical-info/medicine-finder/kenacomb-ointment

    https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-hair/a7681/tri-adcortyl-cream-ointment-discontinued-in-the-uk-january-2009/