Microcort (Topical application)

Hydrocortisone topical is used to help relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort caused by 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 your or your child's progress at regular visits for any side effects that may be caused by this medicine.

If your or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of adrenal gland problems. The 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 experience 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 contact your doctor right away if you or your child develop 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 need to weigh the risks against the benefits. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

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

Pediatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of hydrocortisone topical in children. However, because of the potential toxicity of this medicine, it should be used with caution. Children may absorb large amounts through the 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 on how age affects the use of hydrocortisone topical in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits and risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while others may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In such cases, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

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

Other Medical Problems

Other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you inform your doctor about any other medical issues, especially:

• Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland disorder) or
• Diabetes or
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)—Use with caution. This 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—This may increase the chance of side effects.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine can also cause some unwanted effects. While not everyone may experience these side effects, if they do happen, they might require medical attention.

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

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 skin folds (e.g. between the fingers)
• thinning, weakness, or wasting away of the skin

Some side effects might occur that generally do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Additionally, your healthcare professional may have suggestions on how to prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Contact your healthcare 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 small 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, consult 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.