 2D and 3D image of urea molecule | |
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| Trade names | Decubal, Carmol 40, Keralac, others |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Multum Consumer Information |
| Routes of administration | Topical |
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Urea, also known as carbamide-containing cream,[clarification needed] is used as a medication and applied to the skin to treat dryness and itching such as may occur in psoriasis, dermatitis, or ichthyosis.[1][2][3] It may also be used to soften nails.[3]
In adults side effects are generally few.[4] It may occasionally cause skin irritation.[1] Urea works in part by loosening dried skin.[5] Preparations generally contain 5 to 50% urea.[2][3]
Urea containing creams have been used since the 1940s.[6] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7][8] It is available over the counter.[3]
- ^ a b World Health Organization (2009). Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR (eds.). WHO Model Formulary 2008. World Health Organization. p. 310. hdl:10665/44053. ISBN 9789241547659.
- ^ a b British national formulary : BNF 69 (69 ed.). British Medical Association. 2015. pp. 796–798. ISBN 9780857111562.
- ^ a b c d "Urea topical medical facts from Drugs.com". www.drugs.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ Paradisis M, El Hachem M, Diociaiuti A, Giannetti A (2015). "Ichthyoses". In Katsambas A, Lotti T, Dessinioti C, D'Erme AM (eds.). European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments (3rd ed.). Springer. p. 439. ISBN 9783662451397. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16.
- ^ "Urea Cream - FDA prescribing information, side effects and uses". www.drugs.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
- ^ Harding CR, Bartolone J, Rawlings AV (1999). "Effects of natural moisturizing factor and lactic acid isomers on skin function.". In Loden M, Maibach HI (eds.). Dry Skin and Moisturizers: Chemistry and Function. CRC Press. p. 235. ISBN 9780849375200. Archived from the original on 2017-01-16.
- ^ World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
- ^ World Health Organization (2021). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 22nd list (2021). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/345533. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2021.02.