$Unique_ID{BRK03181} $Pretitle{} $Title{hydrocortisone (topical)} $Subject{topical Acticort 100 Baker/Cummins Aeroseb-HC Herbert Ala-Cort Del-Ray Ala-Scalp Del-Ray Bactine Hydrocortisone Miles CaldeCort Anti-Itch Fisons Light Aloe Cetacort Owen/Galderma Cortaid Upjohn Cort-Dome Miles Cortef Feminine Itch Cortizone-5 Thompson Cortril Pfizer Delacort Mericon Dermacort Solvay DermiCort Republic Drug Dermolate Anti-Itch Schering Scalp-Itch Dermtex HC Pfeiffer FoilleCort Blistex Gynecort Combe Hi-Cor C & M Pharmaceuticals Hydro-Tex Syosset Hytone Dermik LactiCare-HC Stiefel Lanacort Combe Locoid Owen Nutracort Penecort Herbert Labs Synacort Syntex Texacort GenDerm Westcort Westwood Adrenocorticosteroid hormone hydrocortisone fluid balance temperature reaction inflammation cortisone-like skin inflammation redness swelling itching discomfort dermatitis eczema poison ivy} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. hydrocortisone (topical) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Acticort 100 (Baker/Cummins) Aeroseb-HC (Herbert) Ala-Cort (Del-Ray) Ala-Scalp (Del-Ray) Bactine Hydrocortisone [*] (Miles) CaldeCort Anti-Itch [*] (Fisons) CaldeCort Light with Aloe [*] (Fisons) Cetacort (Owen/Galderma) Cortaid [*] (Upjohn) Cort-Dome (Miles) Cortef Feminine Itch [*] (Upjohn) Cortizone-5 [*] (Thompson) Cortril (Pfizer) Delacort [*] (Mericon) Dermacort (Solvay) DermiCort [*] (Republic Drug) Dermolate Anti-Itch [*] (Schering) Dermolate Scalp-Itch [*] (Schering) Dermtex HC with aloe [*] (Pfeiffer) FoilleCort [*] (Blistex) Gynecort [*] (Combe) Hi-Cor (C & M Pharmaceuticals) hydrocortisone acetate (various manufacturers) Hydro-Tex (Syosset) Hydro-Tex [*] (Syosset) Hytone (Dermik) LactiCare-HC (Stiefel) Lanacort [*] (Combe) Locoid (Owen) Nutracort (Owen) Penecort (Herbert Labs) Synacort (Syntex) Texacort (GenDerm) Westcort (Westwood) * Available over-the-counter (without a prescription) in concentrations of 0.5% or less. TYPE OF DRUG Adrenocorticosteroid hormone INGREDIENT hydrocortisone DOSAGE FORMS Cream (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2.5%) Ointment (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2.5%) Lotion (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 2.5%) Gel (0.5%) Pump spray (0.5%) Aerosol (0.5%) STORAGE Hydrocortisone cream, ointment, lotion, gel, pump spray, and aerosol should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers. This medication should never be frozen. The aerosol form of this medication is packaged under pressure. It should not be stored near heat or an open flame or in direct sunlight, and the container should never be punctured. USES Your adrenal glands naturally produce certain cortisone-like chemicals. These chemicals are involved in various regulatory processes in the body (such as those involving fluid balance, temperature, and reaction to inflammation). Hydrocortisone belongs to a group of drugs known as adrenocorticosteroids (or cortisone-like medications). It is used to relieve the skin inflammation (redness, swelling, itching, and discomfort) associated with conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, and poison ivy. TREATMENT Before applying this medication, wash your hands. Then, unless your doctor gives you different instructions, gently wash the area of the skin where the medication is to be applied. With a clean towel, pat the area almost dry; it should be slightly damp when you put the medicine on. Apply a small amount of the medication to the affected area in a thin layer. Do not bandage the area unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you are to apply an occlusive dressing (like kitchen plastic wrap), be sure you understand the instructions. Wash your hands again after application. If you are using the aerosol form, shake the can in order to disperse the medication evenly. Hold the can upright six to eight inches from the area to be sprayed, and spray the area for one to three seconds. DO NOT SMOKE while you are using the aerosol; the contents are under pressure and may explode when exposed to heat or flames. If you miss a dose of this medication, apply the dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the next application. In that case, do not apply the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Acne, burning sensation, itching, skin dryness, or rash. If the affected area is extremely dry or scaling, the skin may be moistened before applying the medication by soaking in water or by applying water with a clean cloth. The ointment form is probably better for dry skin. A mild stinging sensation may occur after this medication is applied. If this persists, contact your doctor. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about blistering, increased hair growth, irritation of the affected area, loss of skin color, secondary infection in the area being treated, or thinning of the skin with easy bruising. INTERACTIONS This medication should not interact with other medications as long as it is used according to the directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to hydrocortisone or other adrenocorticosteroids (such as amcinonide, betamethasone, clocortolone, cortisone, desonide, desoximetasone, dexamethasone, diflorasone, flumethasone, fluocinolone, fluocinonide, flurandrenolide, halcinonide, methylprednisolone, paramethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone). * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had blood vessel disease, chicken pox, diabetes mellitus, fungal infections, peptic ulcers, shingles, tuberculosis, tuberculosis of the skin, vaccinia, or any other type of infection, especially at the site currently being treated. * If any irritation develops while using hydrocortisone, immediately discontinue its use and notify your doctor. * This product is not for use in the eyes, nose, or mouth; contact may result in side effects. * Do not use this product with an occlusive wrap unless your doctor directs you to do so. Systemic absorption of hydrocortisone is increased if large areas of the body are treated, particularly if occlusive bandages are used. If it is necessary for you to use this drug under a wrap, follow your doctor's instructions exactly; do not leave the wrap in place longer than specified. * If you are using this medication on a child's diaper area, do not put tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on the child. This may lead to increased systemic absorption of the drug and a possible increase in side effects. * In order to avoid freezing skin tissue when using the aerosol or pump spray form of hydrocortisone, make sure that you do not spray for more than three seconds; and hold the container at least six inches away from the skin. * When using the aerosol or pump spray form of this medication on the face, cover your eyes, and do not inhale the spray (in order to avoid side effects). * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. If large amounts of this drug are applied for prolonged periods, some of it will be absorbed and may cross the placenta. Although studies in humans have not been conducted, birth defects have been observed in the offspring of animals that were given large oral doses of this drug during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. If absorbed through the skin, small amounts of hydrocortisone pass into breast milk and may cause growth suppression or a decrease in natural adrenocorticosteroid hormone production in the nursing infant. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.