What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Hydrocortisone Topical?

Hydrocortisone Topical

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrocortisone.
Hydrocortisone topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hydrocortisone topical is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether hydrocortisone topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor’s advice. Children are more sensitive to the effects of hydrocortisone topical.

Hydrocortisone Rectal (Cream, Ointment, Suppository)

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• congestive heart failure
• a history of tuberculosis
• stomach ulcer or diverticulitis
• a colostomy or ileostomy
• fever or any type of infection
• kidney disease
• high blood pressure; or
• myasthenia gravis

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use hydrocortisone rectal, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hydrocortisone rectal is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether hydrocortisone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Hydrocortisone Topical Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Hydrocortisone Topical?

Hydrocortisone Topical

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using hydrocortisone topical and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights
• uneven heartbeats
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• weight gain, puffiness in your face; or
• feeling tired

Less serious side effects may include:

• skin redness, burning, itching, or peeling
• thinning of your skin
• blistering skin; or
• stretch marks

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Hydrocortisone Rectal (Cream, Ointment, Suppository)

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
• swelling of your ankles or feet
• muscle weakness
• rapid weight gain, especially in your face and midsection
• severe rectal pain or burning
• bleeding from your rectum
• severe stomach pain
• sudden and severe headache or pain behind your eyes; or
• seizure (convulsions)

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild rectal pain or burning
• acne
• changes in your menstrual periods
• increased sweating; or
• increased facial or body hair growth

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Hydrocortisone Topical Interactions

What other drugs affect Hydrocortisone Topical?

Hydrocortisone Topical

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied hydrocortisone. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Hydrocortisone Rectal (Cream, Ointment, Suppository)

Before using hydrocortisone rectal, tell your doctor if you also use insulin or other diabetes medications you take by mouth.
There may be other drugs that can interact with hydrocortisone rectal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Hydrocortisone Topical?

Hydrocortisone Topical

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use hydrocortisone topical on sunburned, windburned, irritated, or broken skin. Also avoid using this medication in open wounds.
Avoid using skin products that can cause irritation, such as harsh soaps or shampoos or skin cleansers, hair coloring or permanent chemicals, hair removers or waxes, or skin products with alcohol, spices, astringents, or lime. Do not use other medicated skin products unless your doctor has told you to.

Hydrocortisone Rectal (Cream, Ointment, Suppository)

Avoid getting a vaccine during your treatment with hydrocortisone rectal. Vaccines may not work as well while you are using a steroid medicine.

Hydrocortisone Topical Dosage

How should I take Hydrocortisone Topical?

Hydrocortisone Topical

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended.
Hydrocortisone topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.
Wash your hands before and after each application, unless you are using hydrocortisone topical to treat a hand condition.
Apply a small amount to the affected area and rub it gently into the skin.
Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes or mouth, or on body areas where you have skin folds or thin skin.
Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with hydrocortisone topical can increase the amount of the drug your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this medication for several days. It is important to use hydrocortisone topical regularly to get the most benefit.
Store hydrocortisone topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Hydrocortisone Rectal (Cream, Ointment, Suppository)

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Do not take hydrocortisone rectal by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You may need to use this medication for up to 8 weeks.
Wash your hands before and after using this medicine.
Try to empty your bowel and bladder just before using the hydrocortisone rectal cream or suppository.
Remove the outer wrapper from the suppository before inserting it. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands. The rectal suppository can stain clothing or other fabrics it comes into contact with.
For best results from the suppository, lie down after inserting it and hold in the suppository. The suppository will melt quickly once inserted and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in.
For best results from the cream, use only the applicator provided with the medication. Otherwise, follow the directions provided with your rectal cream.
Avoid using the bathroom for one to three hours after inserting the cream or suppository.
Apply the ointment to the rectum and surrounding skin of the rectal area as directed on the package label.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse after using this medicine for a few days.
Store the rectal cream at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Store the rectal suppositories at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not refrigerate or freeze them.

What happens if I overdose on Hydrocortisone Topical?

Hydrocortisone Topical

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it. An overdose of hydrocortisone topical applied to the skin is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

Hydrocortisone Rectal (Cream, Ointment, Suppository)

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of hydrocortisone is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms. However, long-term use of high steroid doses can lead to symptoms such as thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What happens if I miss a dose of Hydrocortisone Topical?

Hydrocortisone Topical

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Hydrocortisone Rectal (Cream, Ointment, Suppository)

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
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