BIATAIN IBU Soft Hold

Managing wound pain alongside exudate in a self-adhesive format requires a border that holds securely without causing additional trauma to the periwound skin at removal. Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold is a Pharmacy Medicine from Coloplast that combines ibuprofen-containing foam for local wound pain management with a soft silicone adhesive border for self-contained, self-adhesive use. The ibuprofen is released locally at the wound surface and the foam manages wound exudate, while the soft silicone border allows the dressing to be removed gently without adhesive border trauma. Available in 10cm x 12cm and 15cm x 15cm. No prescription is required for eligible patients.

Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold is a Pharmacy Medicine (P) from Coloplast. It is the self-adhesive version of Biatain Ibu Non-Adhesive. Both contain ibuprofen as an active pharmaceutical ingredient incorporated into the foam wound contact layer, providing local analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity at the wound surface. The defining difference between the two products is the border. Biatain Ibu Non-Adhesive has no adhesive border and requires secondary fixation. Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold has an integrated soft silicone adhesive border and is self-contained.

The "Soft Hold" name describes the soft silicone adhesive technology used for the border. Silicone adhesive bonds to intact skin through van der Waals forces rather than a traditional pressure-sensitive adhesive. This allows the border to hold the dressing securely during wear while releasing more gently at removal than a standard acrylic adhesive border. This property is clinically relevant for patients with fragile or damaged periwound skin, a common finding in chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcers, where standard adhesive borders can cause skin stripping and further trauma at each change.

Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold is available in two sizes: 10cm x 12cm and 15cm x 15cm. Because it contains ibuprofen, it carries the full range of NSAID contraindications and drug interaction precautions. Patients should confirm with a pharmacist that ibuprofen is not contraindicated for them before purchase.

Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold contains ibuprofen (an NSAID). Do not use if you have a known allergy to ibuprofen, aspirin, or other NSAIDs; if you have aspirin-sensitive asthma; if you are in the third trimester of pregnancy; or if you have active peptic ulcer disease. Consult your pharmacist or GP before use if you have kidney, liver, or heart conditions, or if you take anticoagulants, aspirin, or other NSAIDs. Always read the product information leaflet.

Local Ibuprofen Release

Ibuprofen is incorporated into the foam wound contact layer. When wound exudate contacts the foam, ibuprofen is released locally at the wound surface. Ibuprofen inhibits the cyclo-oxygenase enzyme, reducing prostaglandin production at the wound site. Prostaglandins are signalling molecules involved in wound pain and local inflammation. By reducing their production locally, ibuprofen provides local analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. The amount of ibuprofen absorbed systemically from wound contact use is substantially lower than from oral administration, though full NSAID contraindications apply.

Foam Exudate Absorption

The polyurethane foam core absorbs wound exudate and retains it within the foam structure away from the wound surface. This prevents pooling of exudate at the wound bed, reduces maceration of the periwound skin, and maintains a moist wound healing environment at the wound contact surface alongside the local ibuprofen activity. The foam provides cushioning over the wound site.

Soft Silicone Adhesive Border

The soft silicone border holds the dressing securely against intact periwound skin throughout the wear period. At removal, silicone adhesive releases with less force than a standard acrylic adhesive, reducing the risk of skin stripping and adhesive border trauma to the periwound skin. This gentle removal property is particularly relevant in patients with fragile periwound skin around chronic wounds such as venous leg ulcers and pressure ulcers, where repeated adhesive border trauma can damage the periwound tissue and impair overall wound management.

Self-Contained Format

The integrated soft silicone border means Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold does not require a secondary dressing for most wound locations. This makes it more convenient than Biatain Ibu Non-Adhesive for patients managing their own wound care, particularly where applying and securing a secondary fixation product adds complexity to the dressing change process.

Before Application

• Wash hands and use appropriate gloves.
• Clean the wound with sterile saline or as directed by a healthcare professional.
• Check that ibuprofen is not contraindicated for this patient before applying.
• Dry the periwound skin gently. The soft silicone border adheres to dry intact periwound skin.

Application

• Select the appropriate size: 10cm x 12cm or 15cm x 15cm.
• Position the dressing over the wound so the foam pad covers the wound bed and the soft silicone border rests on intact periwound skin.
• Remove the release liner and press the border gently onto the surrounding skin.
• No secondary dressing is required for most wound locations.
• Label with the date and time of application.

Wear Time and Removal

• Change frequency depends on wound exudate levels and clinical guidance.
• To remove, lift one corner of the soft silicone border and peel slowly back parallel to the skin surface. The silicone adhesive should release gently.
• If the dressing feels firmly adhered, do not force removal. Moisten the border with water or saline to assist release.
• Reassess at each change whether Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold remains appropriate for the wound and patient.

Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold 10cm x 12cm

A medium rectangular size suitable for moderate-sized exuding wounds with wound pain including venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and post-operative wounds where local ibuprofen wound contact, foam exudate management, and a soft silicone border are all clinically indicated and the wound dimensions are covered by the 10cm x 12cm pad area.

Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold 15cm x 15cm

A larger square size for more extensive wound areas where a 10cm x 12cm format does not provide sufficient wound bed coverage. Suitable for larger chronic wounds including more extensive venous leg ulcer areas and larger pressure ulcer sites where ibuprofen foam with soft silicone adhesion is clinically appropriate.

When selecting a size, the foam pad should cover the entire wound bed and the soft silicone border should rest on intact periwound skin on all sides.

Do Not Use Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold If

• You have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to ibuprofen, aspirin, or any other NSAID medicine.
• You have aspirin-sensitive asthma - a condition in which aspirin or NSAIDs trigger asthma symptoms.
• You are in the third trimester of pregnancy (weeks 28 to 40).
• You have active peptic ulcer disease or active gastrointestinal bleeding.
• You have severe renal impairment, severe hepatic impairment, or severe cardiac impairment.

Seek Advice Before Use If

• You take anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin, heparin, or direct oral anticoagulants.
• You are taking aspirin or any other NSAID medicine including naproxen, diclofenac, or celecoxib.
• You are in the first or second trimester of pregnancy.
• You are breastfeeding.
• You have a history of peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney disease, liver disease, or heart failure.

Additional Precautions

• Always read the product information leaflet before use.
• Single use product. Do not reuse.
• Use with care on very fragile periwound skin - although the soft silicone border is designed for gentle removal, individual skin tolerance varies.
• Do not use MRI scanning with the dressing in place.

Adverse Effects

• Local skin irritation or sensitisation at the wound or periwound area.
• In patients with NSAID sensitivity: systemic reactions are possible even with local ibuprofen application. Discontinue and seek clinical advice if any systemic reaction occurs.
• Skin irritation or stripping at the border in patients with very fragile periwound skin, despite the soft silicone adhesive technology.

Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold May Be Suitable For

• Adult patients with moderately to heavily exuding clean wounds associated with wound pain, in whom ibuprofen is not contraindicated and a self-adhesive silicone bordered format is appropriate
• Patients with fragile periwound skin where the soft silicone border reduces adhesive border trauma at dressing changes compared with a standard acrylic adhesive
• Patients managing their own wound care who benefit from a self-contained dressing without separate secondary fixation

Both contain ibuprofen for local wound pain management in a polyurethane foam format. Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold has an integrated soft silicone adhesive border — self-contained, no secondary fixation required, gentle removal. Biatain Ibu Non-Adhesive has no border and requires secondary fixation — available in four sizes including smaller and larger formats than Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold. Choose Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold when self-adhesive convenience and the soft silicone border properties are the clinical priority. Choose Biatain Ibu Non-Adhesive when no adhesive is appropriate or when the 5cm x 7cm or 20cm x 20cm size is needed.

Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold is a Pharmacy Medicine (P) and does not require a prescription. It can be purchased from Pharmacy Planet. Because it contains ibuprofen, our pharmacists will confirm it is appropriate for you before purchase.

Please inform our pharmacists of any medicines you currently take, any known allergies to NSAIDs or aspirin, and any relevant health conditions when ordering. This allows us to advise on whether Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold is suitable for your circumstances.

For complex wounds, wounds not healing as expected, or any uncertainty about whether ibuprofen is appropriate for you, speak with your GP, practice nurse, or district nurse before purchasing.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Store below 25°C.
• Keep in the original sealed packaging until immediately before use.
• Each dressing is individually packed. Check packaging integrity before use.
• Check the expiry date before use. Do not use after the expiry date.
• Once opened, apply immediately.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Dispose of used dressings as clinical waste in accordance with local guidelines.

Pharmacy Planet is a GPhC registered online pharmacy. Our pharmacists are available to check that Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold is appropriate for you before purchase, taking into account your current medicines and health conditions.

We stock both sizes of Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold alongside Biatain Ibu Non-Adhesive and the full Biatain range. All products are genuine and sourced through regulated supply chains.

References

1. Coloplast. Biatain Ibu Soft-Hold — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). Coloplast Ltd. https://www.coloplast.co.uk. Accessed May 2026.
2. MHRA. Ibuprofen (non-prescription): reminder of important safety information. https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update. Accessed May 2026.
3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. https://bnf.nice.org.uk. Accessed May 2026.
4. Wounds UK. Best Practice Statement: Wound exudate — effective assessment and management. https://www.wounds-uk.com. Accessed May 2026.