Some people who used 3 or more courses of treatment with becaplermin topical have developed cancer.

Do not use becaplermin gel past the expiration date on the tube.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about becaplermin topical.

Becaplermin topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Becaplermin topical (for the skin) is used to treat diabetic foot ulcers.

Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or wound care counselor if you have any questions about how to measure your becaplermin dose.

Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with becaplermin unless you doctor tells you to.

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied becaplermin.

Do not apply becaplermin gel more than once per day and never use more than your prescribed dose.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using becaplermin topical.

It is not known whether becaplermin topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.

Becaplermin (brand name Regranex) is a cicatrizant, available as a topical gel.

A becaplermin dose is measured by the length of a ribbon of gel squeezed from the medicine tube.

Make sure you are aware of which tube size you are using when calculating your becaplermin topical dose.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether becaplermin will harm an unborn baby.

To apply becaplermin topical gel:

Moisten a new gauze bandage with saline and cover the ulcer without applying any becaplermin gel.

Stop using becaplermin topical and call your doctor at once if you have severe itching, redness, blistering, peeling, or other skin irritation.

Do not apply becaplermin over any wound or surgical incision that has been closed with stitches, staples, or surgical tape.

Becaplermin topical is only part of a complete ulcer care treatment program that may also include routine foot exams and avoiding weight on the affected foot.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to becaplermin or parabens, or if you have skin cancer affecting your feet.

In 1997 Chiron provided the active ingredient, becaplermin, in Regranex, a topical treatment for diabetic foot ulcers, manufactured by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc.