Hydrocortisone Topical

What is Hydrocortisone Topical?

• Hydrocortisone Topical is a topical corticosteroid constitute a class of primarily synthetic steroids used as anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agents.

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What are the uses of this medicine?

• Hydrocortisone Topical used for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.

How does this medicine work?

• Topical corticosteroids share anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive actions.
• The mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of the topical corticosteroids is unclear.
• There is some evidence to suggest that a recognizable correlation exists between vasoconstrictor potency and therapeutic efficacy in man.

Who Should Not Use this medicine ?

This medicine cannot be used in patients with:

• a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation.

What drug interactions can this medicine cause?

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Is this medicine FDA approved?

• Hydrocortisone was patented in 1936 and approved for medical use in 1941.

How should this medicine be used?

Recommended dosage:

• Topical corticosteroids are generally applied to the affected area as a thin film from two to four times daily depending on the severity of the condition.
• Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or recalcitrant conditions.

Administration:

• Hydrocortisone comes as ointment, cream, solution (liquid), spray, or lotion for use on the skin.
• Hydrocortisone topical is usually used one to four times a day for skin problems.
• Apply it at around the same time(s) every day.
• Do not apply it to other areas of your body or use it to treat other skin conditions unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• To use hydrocortisone topical, apply a small amount of ointment, cream, solution, spray, or lotion to cover the affected area of skin with a thin even film and rub it in gently.
• This medication is only for use on the skin.
• Do not let hydrocortisone topical get into your eyes or mouth and do not swallow it.
• Do not wrap or bandage the treated area unless your doctor tells you that you should.
• If you have psoriasis, your doctor may recommend an occlusive dressing.
• If you are applying hydrocortisone topical to a child's diaper area, do not cover the area with tight fitting diapers or plastic pants.

What are the dosage forms and brand names of this medicine?

This medicine is available in fallowing doasage form:

• As Hydrocortisone Cream

This medicine is available in fallowing brand namesː

• Ala-Cort
• Ala-Scalp
• Anusol HC
• Cortizone 10
• Dermacort
• Dermasorb HC
• Hyderm
• Locoid
• Micort-HC
• Neosporin Eczema Essentials
• Nutracort
• Pandel
• Proctocort Cream
• Stie-Cort
• Synacort
• Texacort

What side effects can this medication cause?

The most common side effects of this medicine include:

• burning
• itching
• irritation
• dryness
• folliculitis
• hypertrichosis
• acneiform eruptions
• hypopigmentation
• perioral dermatitis
• allergic contact dermatitis
• maceration of the skin
• secondary infection
• skin atrophy
• striae
• miliaria

Some serious side effects may include:

• severe rash
• redness, swelling, or other signs of skin infection

What special precautions should I follow?

• This medication is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes.
• Patients should be advised not to use this medication for any disorder other than for which it was prescribed.
• The treated skin area should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped as to be occlusive unless directed by the physician.
• Patients should report any signs of local adverse reactions especially under occlusive dressing.
• Parents of pediatric patients should be advised not to use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child being treated in the diaper area, as these garments may constitute occlusive dressings.
• Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids has produced reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria in some patients. Therefore, patients receiving a large dose of a potent topical steroid applied to a large surface area or under an occlusive dressing should be evaluated periodically for evidence of HPA axis suppression by using the urinary free cortisol and ACTH stimulation tests.
• Pediatric patients may absorb proportionally larger amounts of topical corticosteroids and thus be more susceptible to systemic toxicity. If irritation develops, topical corticosteroids should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.
• In the presence of dermatological infections, the use of an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial agent should be instituted.

What to do in case of emergency/overdose?

Symptoms of overdosage may include:

• Topically applied corticosteroids can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to produce systems effects

Management of overdosage:

• In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline of your country. In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222.

• Overdose related information is also available online at poisonhelp.org/help.
• In the event that the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services. In the United States, call 911.

Can this medicine be used in pregnancy?

• Pregnancy category C.
• Topical corticosteroids should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
• Drugs of this class should not be used extensively on pregnant patients, in large amounts, or for prolonged periods of time.

Can this medicine be used in children?

• Pediatric patients may demonstrate greater susceptibility to topical corticosteroid-induced HPA axis suppression and Cushing’s syndrome.
• Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushing’s syndrome, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in pediatric patients receiving topical corticosteroids.
• Administration of topical corticosteroids to pediatric patients should be limited to the least amount compatible with an effective therapeutic regimen.
• Chronic corticosteroid therapy may interfere with the growth and development of pediatric patients.

What are the active and inactive ingredients in this medicine?

Active ingredients:

• HYDROCORTISONE

Inactives ingredients:

• WATER
• CETYL ALCOHOL
• STEARYL ALCOHOL
• GLYCERIN
• PROPYLENE GLYCOL
• SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE
• CETYL PALMITATE
• SORBIC ACID

Who manufactures and distributes this medicine?

Manufactured and Distributed by:

• Crown Laboratories, Inc., Johnson City, TN

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

• Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F).

• Dailymed label info on Hydrocortisone Topical
• FDA Hydrocortisone Topical

Hydrocortisone Topical Resources
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