$Unique_ID{BRK01981}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{HYDROCORTISONE (TOPICAL)}
$Subject{Acticort 100 (Baker/Cummins)
Aeroseb-HC (Herbert)
Ala-Cort (Del-Ray)
Ala-Scalp (Del-Ray)
Bactine Hydrocortisone (Miles)
Caladryl Hydrocortisone (Parke-Davis)
CaldeCort Anti-Itch (Pharmacraft)
CaldeCort Light with Aloe (Pharmacraft)
Cetacort (Owen)
Cortaid (Upjohn)
Cort-Dome (Miles)
Cortef Feminine Itch (Upjohn)
Cortizone-5 (Thompson)
Cortril (Pfipharmecs)
Cortril (Pfizer)
Delacort (Mericon)
Dermacort (Reid-Rowell)
DermiCort (Republic Drug)
Dermolate Anti-Itch (Schering)
Dermolate Scalp-Itch (Schering)
Dermtex HC (Pfeiffer)
Foille Cort (Blistex)
Gynecort (Combe)
HC-Jel (Recsei)
Hi-Cor (C & M Pharmaceuticals)
H Cort (Vangard)
hydrocortisone acetate (various manufacturers)
Hydrocortone Acetate (Merck Sharp & Dohme)
Hydro-Tex (Syosset)
Hydro-Tex (Syosset)
Hytone (Dermik)
Hytone (Dermik)
LactiCare-HC (Stiefel)
Lanacort (Combe)
Locoid (Owen)
My Cort (Scrip)
Nutracort (Owen)
Penecort (Herbert Labs)
Pharma-Cort (Purepac)
Racet SE (Lemmon)
Rhulicort (Lederle)
Sensacort (Plough)
Synacort (Syntex)
Texacort (GenDerm)
Westcort (Westwood)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 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)
     Caladryl Hydrocortisone [*] (Parke-Davis)
     CaldeCort Anti-Itch [*] (Pharmacraft)
     CaldeCort Light with Aloe [*] (Pharmacraft)
     Cetacort (Owen)
     Cortaid [*] (Upjohn)
     Cort-Dome (Miles)
     Cortef Feminine Itch [*] (Upjohn)
     Cortizone-5 [*] (Thompson)
     Cortril [*] (Pfipharmecs)
     Cortril (Pfizer)
     Delacort [*] (Mericon)
     Dermacort (Reid-Rowell)
     DermiCort [*] (Republic Drug)
     Dermolate Anti-Itch [*] (Schering)
     Dermolate Scalp-Itch [*] (Schering)
     Dermtex HC [*] (Pfeiffer)
     Foille Cort [*] (Blistex)
     Gynecort (Combe)
     HC-Jel (Recsei)
     Hi-Cor (C & M Pharmaceuticals)
     H Cort [*] (Vangard)
     hydrocortisone acetate (various manufacturers)
     Hydrocortone Acetate (Merck Sharp & Dohme)
     Hydro-Tex (Syosset)
     Hydro-Tex [*] (Syosset)
     Hytone (Dermik)
     Hytone [*] (Dermik)
     LactiCare-HC (Stiefel)
     Lanacort [*] (Combe)
     Locoid (Owen)
     My Cort (Scrip)
     Nutracort (Owen)
     Penecort (Herbert Labs)
     Pharma-Cort [*] (Purepac)
     Racet SE [*] (Lemmon)
     Rhulicort [*] (Lederle)
     Sensacort [*] (Plough)
     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 (1%)
     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.  How this drug acts to relieve
inflammation is not completely understood.

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 put twice as much of the medication on your skin at the next
application.

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, temporary 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.
