Diprobase cream and ointment are popular products used in the management of dry skin conditions such as eczema. Diprobase brand is available for customers to buy over the counter from pharmacies and supermarkets. Diprobase cream and ointment can also be prescribed. Recently however both Diprobase cream and ointment were out of stock. Is Diprobase discontinued? The manufacturer of Diprobase confirmed that Diprobase is discontinued. In place, a new range of Diprobase products was introduced.
Summary:
- What is Diprobase?
- Diprobase discontinued: has it really been discontinued?
- What is the difference between Diprobase (Eczema Cream) cream and Diprobase Advanced Eczema cream?
- Has Diprobase ointment been discontinued?
- Diprobase discontinued: what next?
- Diprobase alternatives
What is Diprobase?
Diprobase is a moisturising cream, which hydrates and soothes the skin. Diprobase is used in the management of eczema (a dry skin condition), which may be characterised by dry, inflamed, red, damaged and itchy skin. Diprobase can also be applied to the skin before a bath to stop the skin from getting dry.
Diprobase discontinued: has it really been discontinued?
Although discontinued, Diprobase cream (officially Diprobase Eczema Cream) has been reformulated and given the new name Diprobase Advanced Eczema Cream. This change has not been picked by most prescribers / GP surgeries. As result, Diprobase is still being prescribed and consequently patient advised that Diprobase is out of stock / discontinued.
What is the difference between Diprobase (Eczema Cream) cream and Diprobase Advanced Eczema cream?
Difference between ingredients
Diprobase cream:
white soft paraffin, cetostearyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, macrogol cetostearyl ether,
chlorocresol, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid and purified water
Diprobase Advanced Eczema Cream:
Purified Water, White Soft Paraffin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Liquid Paraffin, Glycerin, Behenyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimeticone, Citric Acid (Anhydrous), Arachidyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Hydroxyacetophenon, Potassium Hydroxide, and Xanthan Gum.
The new ‘advanced’ formula of Diprobase cream has few of the same ingredients, but also many new added. A review of each new ingredient is beyond this post.
Packaging
Diprobase Advance Eczema cream has similar packaging (design and colours). Diprobase Advance Eczema cream is available in 500 grams pump with 46% less packaging compared to the previous pump (Diprobase.co.uk).
Has Diprobase ointment been discontinued?
Diprobase ointment has been discontinued with no replacement products launched.
Diprobase discontinued: what next?
Patients who still get prescriptions for Diprobase should get in touch with their GP and advise them that Diprobase is discontinued in place for Diprobase Advance Eczema Cream. It may take some time for GP surgeries to update their systems to allow prescribing of Diprobase Advance Eczema Cream.
Diprobase Advance Eczema Cream is available for ordering from major pharmaceutical suppliers, therefore it should be relatively easy to get it from the pharmacy or supermarkets.
Diprobase alternatives
Diprobase cream is paraffin containing (combination of white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin) a common ingredient in creams and ointments used for the management of dry skin conditions. Examples of popular Diprobase alternative, paraffin-based creams:
1. Epaderm cream: a popular cream which is available in different sizes including a larger 500-gram pump. Epaderm is usually stocked by pharmacies as it is also commonly prescribed. Epaderm comes also in a form of an ointment, which could be used as an alternative to discontinued Diprobase ointment.
2. Epimax Original Cream: this Diprobase alternative is much cheaper than Diprobase, which drives its popularity as over the counter option and as a prescription option. Epimax is also available as an ointment, giving another alternative option to discontinued Diprobase ointment.
3. Zerobase cream: another popular choice, mainly prescribed, however can also be purchased over the counter from pharmacies.
4. Cetraben cream: equally popular option as previously listed alternatives, slightly less expensive than Diprobase cream itself. Cetraben comes in form of ointment.
5. Hydromol cream: less popular option due to higher price tag.
6. E45 cream: a well-known cream brand stocked by most supermarkets and pharmacies.
Although Diprobase cream is discontinued, a new ‘improved’ formulation was launched with a new name for the product. Diprobase Advance Eczema Cream is available to purchase. One would expect to see prescribing changed to reflect the availability of new Diprobase cream.
Have you tried the new Diprobase Advance Cream? What is your opinion? Please leave your comments below.
To read more about the management of dry skin conditions, visit NHS website.
I have used the original diprobase cream for 20 years, reallybupset it’s been changed. I’ve found the new one burns and is very itchy, think it’s all the added alcohol now, but can’t say for sure, not pleased with texture or smell of newbone either. I will need to try newbones, but after using same one everyday for so long my skin is going to have withdrawal symptoms, so I’m very worried
I have used the DIPROBASE Cream for my daily routine of dressings, and it was like some magic cream , a scratch would disappear with in a day, Anything would be healed with in a day or 2,
Spots would clear up , it also promoted fast healing too,
Where as a wound needed dressing and moisturising this Diprobase could do the job of 2 in 1 ,
I feel very disappointed that the original has now been discontinued, please please bring the original back , the. New one stings on open wounds but the lid one did not .