Common Topical Treatments- A Practical Guide
- Rivka Lebrett
- Mar 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 24
One of the more confusing parts about practicing in Israel is trying to understand the medications available and what they are called. Topical creams are especially complicated as there are so many different variations available under different names or with a different combination of active ingredients.
The aim of this blog is not to advise on when or how to use topical treatments, but rather to make you aware which commonly used topical medications are available and what they are called.
We focus on basic skin treatment for the average primary care physician.
Wound Care Creams
Ichthammol ointment (OTC)
איכטמול משחה
Ichthammol 10%
• Anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial
Iodo-Vit ointment (OTC)
יודו-ויט משחה
Povidone-iodine 10%
Iodicare ointment (OTC)
יודיקייר משחה
Povidone-iodine 10%
• Broad-spectrum antiseptic (bacteria, viruses, fungi)
• Best for contaminated wounds, cuts, abrasions, pre-infection prevention
Polydine ointment (OTC)
פולידין משחה
Povidone-iodine 10%
• Widely used antiseptic in Israel
• Ideal for cuts, grazes, small burns, and preventing infection
Bepanthen Plus (OTC)
בפנטן פלוס
Chlorhexidine + Dexpanthenol
• Combines antiseptic + skin repair (pro-vitamin B5)
• Best for minor wounds, cracked skin, irritated skin needing healing support
Silverol cream
סילברול קרם
Silver sulfadiazine 1%
• Strong antibacterial (especially for burn wounds)
• Best for partial-thickness burns and infected wounds; not for routine minor cuts due to delayed epithelialization
Antibacterial Creams
Gentatrim ointment / cream
גנטטרים משחה / קרם
Gentamicin sulfate 0.1%
• Broad Gram-negative coverage + some Gram-positive
• Useful for infected wounds, burns, ulcers; avoid routine use for minor clean wounds (resistance risk)
Chloramphenicol skin ointment
כלורמפניקול משחה
Chloramphenicol 3%
• Broad-spectrum (Gram+ and Gram−)
• Good for superficial skin infections; typically second-line due to rare systemic toxicity concerns
Fucidin ointment
פוסידין משחה
Sodium fusidate 20 mg/g
• Strong anti-staphylococcal (incl. Staph aureus)
• First-line for impetigo, localized infected eczema, minor skin infections
Staphiderm cream
סטפידרם קרם
Fusidic acid 2%
Fucidin cream
פוסידין קרם
Fusidic acid 20 mg/g
Bactroban Dermal cream
בקטרובן לעור
Mupirocin 2 %W/W
Also available as nasal cream
Mupirocin Teva cream
מופירוצין טבע
Mupirocin 2 %
Steroids
All steroid creams require a prescription
🟢 Moderate
Elocom ointment
אלוקום משחה
Mometasone furoate 0.1%
Elocom cream
אלוקום קרם
Mometasone furoate 0.1%
🟡 Moderate–potent
Betacorten ointment
בטאקורטן משחה
Betamethasone valerate 0.1%
Betacorten cream
בטאקורטן קרם
Betamethasone valerate 0.1%
Betnovate ointment
בטנובט משחה
Betamethasone valerate 0.1%
🟠 Potent
Neriderm ointment
נרידרם משחה
Diflucortolone valerate 0.1%
Neriderm cream
נרידרם קרם
Diflucortolone valerate 0.1%
🔴 Very potent (superpotent)
Dermovate ointment
דרמובט משחה
Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Dermovate cream
דרמובט קרם
Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Trima cream
טרימה קרם
Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Antifungals
A good number of antifungals are available in pharmacies without the need for prescriptions.
Fungivera cream (OTC)
פונגיברה קרם
Clotrimazole 1%
Canesten cream (OTC)
קנסטן קרם
Clotrimazole 1%
Agisten cream (OTC)
אגיסטן קרם
Clotrimazole 1%
Agisten Aloe Vera cream (OTC)
אגיסטן אלוורה קרם
Clotrimazole 1%
Daktarin cream (OTC)
דקטרין קרם
Miconazole nitrate 2%
Lamisil cream (OTC)
למיסיל קרם
Terbinafine hydrochloride 1%
Mentax cream
מנטקס קרם
Butenafine hydrochloride 1%
Nizoral cream
ניזורל קרם
Ketoconazole 2%
Combinations
🟢 Moderate Potency
Topisalen ointment
טופיסלן משחה
Flumethasone pivalate 0.02% + Salicylic acid
Polycutan cream
פוליקוטן קרם
Dexamethasone acetate 0.044% + Neomycin + Clotrimazole
Tevacutan cream
טבעקוטן קרם
Dexamethasone acetate 0.044% + Neomycin + Clotrimazole
Hydroagisten cream
הידרואגיסטן קרם
Hydrocortisone acetate 1% + Clotrimazole
Daktacort cream
דקטקורט קרם
Hydrocortisone 1% + Miconazole
Hycomycin ointment
הייקומיצין משחה
Hydrocortisone 2.5% + Neomycin
Aflumycin cream
אפלומיצין קרם
Prednisolone 0.5% + Gentamicin
Threolone ointment
תריאולון משחה
Prednisolone 0.5% + Chloramphenicol
🟡 Intermediate potency
Betacorten G cream
בטאקורטן G קרם
Betamethasone valerate 0.1% + Gentamicin
Fusicort cream
פוסיקורט קרם
Betamethasone valerate 0.1% + Fusidic acid
Diprosalic lotion
דיפרוסליק תחליב
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% + Salicylic acid
Multiderm cream
מולטידרם קרם
Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% + Chlorquinaldol
Tevaderm cream
טבעדרם קרם
Diflucortolone valerate 0.1% + Isoconazole
Dermacombin cream / ointment
דרמוקומבין קרם / משחה
Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% + Nystatin + Neomycin + Gramicidin
Cicloderm C cream
סיקלודרם C קרם
Clobetasone butyrate 0.05% + Gentamicin + Ciclopirox
🟠 High Potency
Diprosalic ointment
דיפרוסליק משחה
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% + Salicylic acid
Daivobet ointment
דייבובט משחה
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% + Calcipotriol
Diprogenta cream
דיפרוג'נטה קרם
Betamethasone dipropionate (augmented) 0.05% + Gentamicin
Triderm cream
טרידרם קרם
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% + Gentamicin + Clotrimazole
Clotrisone cream
קלוטריזון קרם
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.064% + Clotrimazole
Betacorten G ointment
בטאקורטן G משחה
Betamethasone valerate 0.1% + Gentamicin
Comagis cream
קומאגיס קרם
Fluocinonide 0.05% + Bifonazole
🔴 Very high potency
Diprogenta ointment
דיפרוגנטה משחה
Betamethasone dipropionate (augmented) 0.05% + Gentamicin
Topical Acne Treatment
All require prescriptions to dispense.
Benzac 5%
בנזק 5%
Benzoyl peroxide 5%
Dalacin T / Taroclindin (topical)
דלצין T / תרוקלינדין
Clindamycin phosphate 1%
Adaferin cream / gel
אדפרין קרם / ג'ל
Adapalene 0.1%
Adatar
אדטאר
Adapalene 0.1% + Benzoyl peroxide 2.5%
Ret-Avit cream 0.025%
רט-אביט קרם
Tretinoin 0.025%
Ret-Avit cream 0.05%
רט-אביט קרם
Tretinoin 0.05%
Duac gel
דואק ג'ל
Clindamycin 1% + Benzoyl peroxide 5%
Taroclindin gel
תרוקלינדין ג'ל
Clindamycin 1% + Benzoyl peroxide 5%
Actidu gel
אקטידו ג'ל
Clindamycin 1% + Benzoyl peroxide 5%
Lindac
לינדק
Clindamycin 1% + Benzoyl peroxide 5%
Epiduo gel
אפידואו ג'ל
Adapalene 0.1% + Benzoyl peroxide 2.5%
Epiduo Forte
אפידואו פורטה
Adapalene 0.3% + Benzoyl peroxide 2.5%
Twyneo
טווינאו
Tretinoin 0.1% + Benzoyl peroxide 3%
All Steroid Containing Products In Israel:
Source: Israeli Dermatology Association
Sources:
הנחיות לטיפול בתכשירים מקומיים המכילים קורטיקוסטרואידים - כללית - קידום מידע ומחקר רפואי -
אוגוסט 2013
