Published: 8 April 2024
Safety Information
Alert communication
Do not use NaturaCoco Moisturising Cream or Dok Apo Moisturiser Soothing Cream
8 April 2024
Do not use: NaturaCoco Moisturising Cream and Dok Apo Moisturiser Soothing Cream. These products contain fluocinonide, which is a potent steroid. Steroid creams can cause side effects and affect the health of anyone who uses them.
Advice for consumers and caregivers
Information for healthcare professionals
Products affected
Further information
Useful links
Advice for consumers and caregivers
- If you have bought these products, do not use them: NaturaCoCo Moisturising Cream and Dok Apo Moisturiser Soothing Cream
- These topical cream products contain fluocinonide, a potent corticosteroid, which should only be used on prescription from a doctor.
- There are no approved products containing fluocinonide in New Zealand.
- Return the product to the place you bought it if possible, safely dispose of it or contact a local pharmacy to arrange safe disposal.
- The risk of side effects is greatest if you have been using these creams for a long time on a large area of skin, if the skin was broken or if used in children.
- If you have been using these creams, make an appointment with your GP to check that you are not experiencing any side effects. Tell your doctor that you have been using a topical cream product that contains fluocinonide, or show them this alert.
Information for healthcare professionals
- NaturaCoCo Moisturising Cream and Dok Apo Moisturiser Soothing Cream have been laboratory tested and found to contain fluocinonide, a potent corticosteroid, at approximately 0.01% and 0.008% respectively.
- If a patient not currently using steroid creams presents with symptoms consistent with use potent steroids, then consider use of the above products.
- The product labels do not declare the presence of fluocinonide.
Products affected
The products are marketed as NaturaCoCo Moisturising Cream and Dok Apo Moisturiser Soothing Cream. They are manufactured in the Philippines.
- NaturaCoCo Moisturising Cream – is a white cream in a small round white plastic tub, 40g, 100g, or 300g, with a green lid.
- Dok Apo Moisturiser Soothing Cream – is a white cream in a 50g or 100g white tube.
Figure 1 shows images of the products. The product labels do not declare the presence of fluocinonide.
Figure 1: Images of NaturaCoCo Moisturising Cream (left) and Dok Apo Moisturiser Soothing Cream (right)
Further information
Medsafe has seized these products and taken regulatory action to stop their supply.
Other similar products marketed in New Zealand, including through links to offshore websites, may contain ingredients of concern. Medsafe recommends caution if you are considering purchasing similar products from overseas websites, or through any social media marketing links.
Medsafe is aware that other individuals or businesses may have imported these products for personal use or for resale.
The products do not have consent for distribution as medicines in New Zealand, and their quality, safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Useful links
on the use of topical corticosteroids and their side effects:
- Medsafe – Adrenal suppression associated with the use of topical corticosteroids (Prescriber Update December 2017)
- New Zealand Formulary: Topical corticosteroids (NZF v142, April 2024).
