Hydrocortisone Topical
(Redirected from Ala-Cort)
What is Hydrocortisone Topical?[edit | edit source]
- Hydrocortisone Topical is a topical corticosteroid constitute a class of primarily synthetic steroids used as anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agents.
What are the uses of this medicine?[edit | edit source]
- Hydrocortisone Topical used for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses.
How does this medicine work?[edit | edit source]
- 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 ?[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
- 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?[edit | edit source]
- Hydrocortisone was patented in 1936 and approved for medical use in 1941.
How should this medicine be used?[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
- 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?[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
- 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?[edit | edit source]
- 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?[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
Manufactured and Distributed by:
- Crown Laboratories, Inc., Johnson City, TN
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?[edit | edit source]
- Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F).
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