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Drugs and Supplements
Hydrocortisone (Topical Application Route)
Description and Brand Names
Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex
US Brand Name
Ala-Cort
Ala-Scalp HP
Anusol HC
Aquanil HC
Beta HC
Caldecort
Cetacort
Cortaid
Corticaine
Corticool Maximum Strength
Cortizone-10
Cortizone-5
Cotacort
Delacort
Dermarest
Dermasorb HC Complete Kit
Dermtex-HC
Gly-Cort
Hydrozone Plus
Hytone
Instacort-10
Ivy Soothe
IvyStat
Keratol HC
Kericort 10
Lacticare-HC
Locoid
Locoid Lipocream
Medi-Cortisone Maximum Strength
Microcort
Mycin Scalp
Neutrogena TScalp
NuCort
Nupercainal HC
Nutracort
Pandel
Pediaderm HC Kit
Preparation H Hydrocortisone
Proctocream-HC
Recort Plus
Sarnol-HC Maximum Strength
Scalacort
Scalpcort
Summers Eve Specialcare
Texacort
Therasoft Anti-Itch Dermatitis
U-Cort
Westcort
Canadian Brand Name
Barriere-Hc
Cortate
Cort-Eze
Cortoderm Mild Ointment
Cortoderm Regular Ointment
Emo-Cort
Emo-Cort Scalp Solution
Hydrocortisone Cream
Novo-Hydrocort
Novo-Hydrocort Cream
Prevex Hc
Sarna Hc
Descriptions
Hydrocortisone topical is used to help relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort caused by skin conditions. This medicine is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).
This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Lotion
Cream
Solution
Spray
Ointment
Gel/Jelly
Foam
Liquid
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydrocortisone topical in the pediatric population. However, because of this medicine's toxicity, it should be used with caution. Children may absorb large amounts through the skin, which can cause serious side effects. If your child is using this medicine, follow your doctor's instructions very carefully.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of hydrocortisone topical in geriatric patients.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland disorder) or
Diabetes or
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Infection of the skin at or near the place of application or
Large sores, broken skin, or severe skin injury at the place of application—The chance of side effects may be increased.
Proper Use
It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.
This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away with water.
This medicine should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating. Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions, such as severe burns.
To use:
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
Apply a thin layer of this medicine to the affected area of the skin. Rub it in gently.
With the lotion, shake it well before using.
Do not bandage or otherwise wrap the skin being treated unless directed to do so by your doctor.
If the medicine is applied to the diaper area of an infant, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants unless directed to do so by your doctor.
If your doctor ordered an occlusive dressing or airtight covering to be applied over the medicine, make sure you know how to apply it. Occlusive dressings increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin, so use them only as directed. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For redness, itching, and swelling of the skin:
For topical dosage form (cream):
Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin two or three times per day.
Children—Apply to the affected area of the skin two or three times per day.
For topical dosage form (lotion):
Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin two to four times per day.
Children—Apply to the affected area of the skin two to four times per day.
For topical dosage form (ointment):
Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin three or four times per day.
Children—Apply to the affected area of the skin three or four times per day.
For topical dosage form (solution):
Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin three or four times per day.
Children—Apply to the affected area of the skin three or four times per day.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits for any unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.
If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The risk is greater for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision; dizziness or fainting; a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; increased thirst or urination; irritability; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.
Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated areas.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
irritation
itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
redness and scaling around the mouth
thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (e.g. between the fingers)
thinning, weakness, or wasting away of the skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Acne or pimples
burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
lightening of normal skin color
lightening of treated areas of dark skin
reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
softening of the skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2023
Original article:
Hydrocortisone (Topical Application Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic
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