Duraphat is:

 # Duraphat is:

 A. Lacquer

B. Sodium Fluoride in varnish form

C. Stannous Fluoride

D. Sodium Fluoride 2%

The correct answer is B. Sodium fluoride in varnish form.

Duraphat 50 mg/mL Dental Suspension is to be applied by the dental professional and not for self medication by the patient. 1 mL suspension contains 50 mg sodium fluoride (5% w/v), equivalent to 22,600 ppm fluoride ion (22.6 mg of fluoride) in an alcoholic solution of natural resins.

Recommended dosage for single application:

For primary teeth: up to 0.25 mL (= 5.65 mg fluoride)

For mixed dentition: up to 0.40 mL (= 9.04 mg fluoride)

For permanent dentition: up to 0.75 mL (= 16.95 mg fluoride)

For caries prevention: the application is usually repeated every 6 months but more frequent

applications (every 3 months) may be made.

For hypersensitivity: 2 or 3 applications should be made within a few days.

The patient should not brush the teeth or chew food for 4 hours after treatment.

Method of administration: For dental use.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to any ingredients of Duraphat.
• Ulcerative gingivitis.
• Stomatitis.
• Bronchial asthma.

Special warnings and precautions for use

Application of Duraphat 50 mg/mL Dental Suspension to the whole dentition should not be carried out on an empty stomach. On the day when Duraphat has been applied, no high dose fluoride preparations, such as fluoride gels, should be used. The administration of fluoride supplements should be suspended for several days after applying Duraphat. Prolonged daily ingestion of excessive fluoride may result in varying degrees of fluorosis.

Interaction with other medicines and other forms of interaction

The presence of alcohol (33.8% v/v) in the Duraphat formula should be considered.

Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

As this product contains 33.8% v/v of ethanol (each dose contains up to 0.2 g of alcohol), it is recommended to avoid its use in pregnant women and during lactation.

Undesirable effects

Gastrointestinal disorders: Very rare (<1/10,000): Stomatitis, gingivitis ulcerative, retching, oedema mouth and nausea may occur in sensitive (allergic) individuals

- if necessary, the dental suspension layer can easily be removed from the mouth by brushing and rinsing.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Very rare (<1/10,000): Irritation in sensitive individuals, angioedema

Immune System Disorders: Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)

Hypersensitivity. Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: Very rare/Isolated report (<1/10,000): Asthma

Overdose: Accidental ingestion of large amounts of fluoride may result in acute burning in the mouth and sore tongue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may soon occur after ingestion (within 30 minutes) and are accompanied by salivation, haematemesis, and epigastric cramping abdominal pain. These symptoms may persist for 24 hours. If less than 5 mg fluoride/kg body weight has been ingested, give calcium (eg milk) orally to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms and observe for medical assistance. For accidental ingestion of more than 15 mg fluoride/kg body weight, admit immediately to a hospital facility.