Cortaid (Topical application)

Hydrocortisone topical is used to relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort from skin conditions. This medicine is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important for your doctor to check you or your child's progress at regular visits for any unwanted effects that may come from this medicine.

If you or your child's symptoms do not get better within a few days, or if they get worse, check with your doctor.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. This risk is higher for children and patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms while using this medicine: blurred vision; dizziness or fainting; a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; increased thirst or urination; irritability; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.

Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated areas.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will need to weigh the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems in children that would limit the use of hydrocortisone topical. However, because this medicine can be toxic, it should be used carefully. Children may absorb large amounts through their skin, which can lead to serious side effects. If your child is using this medicine, follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Geriatric

There is no information available about how age affects the effects of hydrocortisone topical in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are not enough studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before using this medication during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could occur. Your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions in these situations. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may impact the use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, particularly:

• Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland disorder) or
• Diabetes or
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

• Skin infection at or near the application site or
• Large sores, broken skin, or severe skin injury at the application site—The risk of side effects may be higher.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Contact your doctor right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• Irritation
• Itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• Redness and scaling around the mouth
• Thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or in areas where the skin folds (e.g., between the fingers)
• Thinning, weakness, or wasting away of the skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to help prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Contact your health care professional if any of the following side effects persist, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Acne or pimples
• Burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
• Burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
• Increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
• Lightening of normal skin color
• Lightening of treated areas of dark skin
• Reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
• Softening of the skin

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, contact your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Ala-Cort
• Ala-Scalp HP
• Anusol HC
• Aquanil HC
• Beta HC
• Caldecort
• Cetacort
• Cortaid
• Corticaine
• Corticool Maximum Strength
• Cortizone-10
• Cortizone-5
• Cotacort
• Delacort
• Dermarest
• Dermasorb HC Complete Kit
• Dermtex-HC
• Gly-Cort
• Hydrozone Plus
• Hytone
• Instacort-10
• Ivy Soothe
• IvyStat
• Keratol HC
• Kericort 10
• Lacticare-HC
• Locoid
• Locoid Lipocream
• Medi-Cortisone Maximum Strength
• Microcort
• Mycin Scalp
• Neutrogena T/Scalp
• NuCort
• Nupercainal HC
• Nutracort
• Pandel
• Pediaderm HC Kit
• Preparation H Hydrocortisone
• Proctocream-HC
• Recort Plus
• Sarnol-HC Maximum Strength
• Scalacort
• Scalpcort
• Summer's Eve Specialcare
• Texacort
• Therasoft Anti-Itch & Dermatitis
• U-Cort
• Westcort

In Canada

• Barriere-Hc
• Cortate
• Cort-Eze
• Cortoderm Mild Ointment
• Cortoderm Regular Ointment
• Emo-Cort
• Emo-Cort Scalp Solution
• Hydrocortisone Cream
• Novo-Hydrocort
• Novo-Hydrocort Cream
• Prevex Hc
• Sarna Hc

Available Dosage Forms:

• Lotion
• Cream
• Solution
• Spray
• Gel/Jelly
• Ointment
• Foam
• Liquid

Therapeutic Class: Corticosteroid, Weak

Pharmacologic Class: Adrenal Glucocorticoid

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.

This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away with water.

This medicine should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating. Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions, such as severe burns.

To use:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Apply a thin layer of this medicine to the affected area of the skin. Rub it in gently.
• With the lotion, shake it well before using.
• Do not bandage or otherwise wrap the skin being treated unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• If the medicine is applied to the diaper area of an infant, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• If your doctor ordered an occlusive dressing or airtight covering to be applied over the medicine, make sure you know how to apply it. Occlusive dressings increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin, so use them only as directed. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For redness, itching, and swelling of the skin:For topical dosage form (cream): Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin two or three times per day. Children—Apply to the affected area of the skin two or three times per day. For topical dosage form (lotion): Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin two to four times per day. Children—Apply to the affected area of the skin two to four times per day. For topical dosage form (ointment): Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin three or four times per day. Children—Apply to the affected area of the skin three or four times per day. For topical dosage form (solution): Adults—Apply to the affected area of the skin three or four times per day. Children—Apply to the affected area of the skin three or four times per day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.