O General Information and Indications:
Hydrocortisone is available with or
without a prescription. Low-strength preparations (0.5% or 1%) are used
without a prescription for the temporary relief of (1) minor skin
irritations, itching, and rashes caused by eczema, insect bites, poison ivy,
poison oak, poison sumac, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and jewelry; (2)
itchy anal and rectal areas; and (3) itching and irritation of the scalp. It
is also used to relieve the discomfort of mouth sores.
Hydrocortisone may be prescribed by your doctor to relieve the itching,
redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort of various
skin conditions; the inflammation of ulcerative colitis or proctitis; or the
swelling and discomfort of hemorrhoids and other rectal problems.
O Information For Users:
Hydrocortisone comes as ointment, cream, lotion,
liquid, gel, medicated cloth towelette, and spray for use on the skin; foam,
suppositories, cream, ointment, and enema for rectal use; and paste for use
in the mouth.
Hydrocortisone is usually used one to four times a day for skin problems.
For mouth sores, it usually is applied two or three times a day after meals
and at bedtime. If mouth sores do not begin to heal within 7 days, call your
doctor.
For colitis, hydrocortisone usually is used every night or twice a day
(every morning and night) for 2 or 3 weeks. Although colitis symptoms may
improve within 3-5 days, 2-3 months of regular enema use may be required.
Call your doctor if your colitis symptoms do not improve within 3 weeks.
For proctitis, hydrocortisone usually is used one or two times a day for
2-3weeks, then if necessary every other day until your condition improves.
Proctitis symptoms may improve within 5-7 days.
For hemorrhoids, hydrocortisone usually is used twice a day (every morning
and night) for 2-6 days.
Follow the directions on the label carefully, and ask your doctor or
pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Use
hydrocortisone exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it
more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you obtained hydrocortisone without a prescription and your condition
does not improve within 7 days, stop using it and call your doctor.
Call your doctor if any area treated with hydrocortisone gets worse or if
redness, swelling, or oozing of pus develops.
To use hydrocortisone ointment, cream, lotion, liquid, or gel on your skin,
wash or soak the affected area thoroughly before applying the medication,
unless it irritates your skin. Then apply sparingly in a thin film and rub
it in gently.
To use the lotion, liquid, or gel on your scalp, part your hair, apply a
small amount of the medicine on the affected area, and rub it in gently.
Protect the area from washing and rubbing until the medication dries. You
may wash your hair as usual but not right after applying the medicine.
To apply the aerosol spray, shake well and spray on the affected area
holding the container about 3-6 inches away. Spray for about 2 seconds to
cover an area the size of your hand. Take care not to inhale the vapors. If
you are spraying near your face, cover your eyes.
Avoid prolonged use on the face, in the genital and rectal areas, and in
skin creases and armpits unless directed to do so by your doctor.
If you are using hydrocortisone on your face, keep it out of your eyes.
If you are using hydrocortisone on a child=s diaper area, do not use
tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants. Such use may increase side effects.
Do not apply cosmetics or other skin preparations on the treated area
without informing your doctor.
If your doctor tells you to wrap or bandage the treated area, follow these
instructions:
o Soak the area in water or wash it well.
o While the skin is moist, gently rub the medication into the affected
areas.
o Cover the area with plastic wrap (such as Saran Wrap or Handi-Wrap). The
plastic may be held in place with a gauze or elastic bandage or adhesive
tape on the normal skin beside the treated area. (Instead of using plastic
wrap, plastic gloves may be used for the hands, plastic bags for the feet,
or a shower cap for the scalp.)
o Carefully seal the edges of the plastic to make sure the wrap adheres
closely to the skin. If the affected area is moist, you can leave the edges
of the plastic wrap partly unsealed or puncture the wrap to allow excess
moisture to escape.
o Leave the plastic wrap in place as long as directed by your doctor.
Usually plastic wraps are left in place no more than 12 hours each day.
o Cleanse the skin and reapply the medication each time a new plastic
wrapping is applied.
Apply the rectal cream or ointment externally to the anal area. Some
nonprescription creams may be applied to the genital and anal areas; read
the label of the product you are using carefully.
The hydrocortisone enema comes with directions that you should follow
carefully. Lie on your left side while using the enema and for 30 minutes
afterward. Try to hold the enema in for at least 1 hour and preferably all
night.
The rectal foam also comes with directions that you should follow carefully.
A special applicator is provided and always should be used to apply the
foam. Do not insert any part of the container into your rectum. After using
the applicator, take it apart and clean it thoroughly with warm water.
To insert a rectal suppository, follow these steps:
o Remove the wrapper. If the suppository is too soft to insert, chill it in
the refrigerator for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removing
the foil wrapper.
o Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
o Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. (A
left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee.)
o Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum (about 1/2 to 1
inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults). Hold it in place for a
few moments.
o Remain lying down for 15 minutes. Then, stand up, wash your hands
thoroughly, and resume your normal activities.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to hydrocortisone or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially cancer chemotherapy agents, other
topical medications, and vitamins.
o Inform your doctor if you have an infection or have ever had diabetes,
glaucoma, a circulation disorder, or an immune disorder.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using hydrocortisone, call your
doctor without delay.
o remember not to use hydrocortisone on children less than 2 years of age
without talking to a doctor.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of hydrocortisone are
not common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o cracking or drying of the skin
o acne
o itching
o burning
o skin color changes
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o severe skin rash
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o wheezing
o skin infection (redness, swelling, or oozing of pus)
O Brand Name(s):
o Ala-Cort®
o Ala-Scalpt®
o Anucort-HC®
o Anu-Med® HC
o Anusert® HC-1
o Anusol-HC®
o Anusol-HC®-1
o Aquanil HC®
o Caldecort® Anti-Itch
o Cetacort®
o CortaGel® Extra Strength
o Cortaid® FastStick® Maximum Strength
o Cortaid® Intensive Therapy
o Cortaid® Maximum Strength
o Cortaid® Sensitive Skin Formula
o Cortaid® Spray Maximum Strength
o Cortenema®
o Corticaine®
o Cortifoam®
o Cortizone for Kids®
o Cortizone®-5
o Cortizone-10®
o Cortizone-10® External Anal Itch Relief Creme®
o Cortizone-10® Scalp Itch Formula Liquid
o Dermacort®
o Dermarest® DriCort®
o DermiCort®
o Dermtex® HC
o Dermtex® HC Spray
o Gynecort® 10
o Hemorrhoidal®-HC
o Hemril-HC® Uniserts®
o HydroSKIN®
o Hytone®
o LactiCare®-HC
o Lanacort® 10
o Locoid®
o Massengill® Medicated Soft Cloth Towelette®
o Nupercainal® Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
o Nutracort®
o Orabase® HCA
o Pandel®
o Penecort®
o Preparation H® Hydrocortisone
o Proctocort®
o ProctoCream®-HC
o Sarnol® HC
o Scalp-Aid®
o Scalpcort® Maximum Strength
o Texacort®
o Westcort®
O Other Name(s):
o Analpram-HC® containing Hydrocortisone
Acetate and Pramoxine Hydrochloride
o Carmol® HC containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Urea
o Cortisporin® containing Hydrocortisone, Bacitracin Zinc, Neomycin Sulfate,
and Polymyxin B Sulfate
o Enzone® containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Pramoxine Hydrochloride
o Epifoam® containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Pramoxine Hydrochloride
o Lazersporin-C® containing Hydrocortisone, Neosporin Sulfate, and Polymyxin
B Sulfate
o Mantadil® containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Chlorcyclizine
Hydrochloride
o Pramosone® containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Pramoxine Hydrochloride
o proctoFoam®-HC containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Pramoxine
Hydrochloride
o Zone-A® Cream containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Pramoxine
Hydrochloride
o Zone-A® Forte Lotion containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Pramoxine
Hydrochloride
o Zone-A® Lotion containing Hydrocortisone Acetate and Pramoxine
Hydrochloride
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