Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- alpha-Hydroxy Acid [EPC]
- How it is given
- topical
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 543460
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% is indicated for the treatment of ichthyosis vulgaris and xerosis.
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION * Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% specially formulates 12% lactic acid, as ammonium lactate to provide a cream pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% also contains cetyl alcohol, glycerin, glyceryl monostearate, laureth-4, light mineral oil, magnesium aluminum silicate, methylcellulose, methylparaben, propylparaben, polyoxyethylene-100 stearate, polyoxyl 40 stearate, propylene glycol, purified water and for pH adjustment: lactic acid. Lactic acid is a racemic mixture of 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and has the following structural formula: Chemical Structure
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% is contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the label ingredients.
Warnings
WARNING Sun exposure to areas of the skin treated with Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% should be minimized or avoided (see PRECAUTIONS section). The use of Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% should be discontinued if any hypersensitivity is observed.
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS In controlled clinical trials of patients with ichthyosis vulgaris, the most frequent adverse reactions in patients treated with Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% were rash (including erythema and irritation) and burning/stinging. Each was reported in approximately 10 to 15% of patients. In addition, itching was reported in approximately 5% of patients. In controlled clinical trials of patients with xerosis, the most frequent adverse reactions in patients treated with Ammonium Lactate Cream, 12% were transient burning, in about 3% of patients, stinging, dry skin and rash, each reported in approximately 2% of patients.
Before you take anything new
Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every medicine you take — including ones bought without a prescription, herbal products and supplements. Interactions are one of the most common avoidable causes of harm from medicines, and a pharmacist can check your full list in a couple of minutes.
This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 14 April 2026. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.