Ala-Cort

Generic Name: hydrocortisone topical (hye droe KOR ti sone)Brand Names: Ala-Cort, Ala-Scalp HP, Aquanil HC, Beta HC, Caldecort, Cortaid, Cortaid Intensive Therapy, Cortaid Maximum Strength, Cortaid with Aloe, Cortalo with Aloe, Corticaine, Cortizone for Kids, Cortizone-10, Cortizone-10 Intensive Healing Formula, Cortizone-10 Plus, Cortizone-5, Dermarest Dricort, Dermarest Eczema Medicated, Dermarest Plus Anti-Itch, Dermtex HC, Genasone/Aloe, Gly-Cort, Gynecort Maximum Strength, Hycort, Hydrocortisone 1% In Absorbase, Hydrocortisone with Aloe, Hydrocortisone-Aloe, Hytone, Instacort, Itch-X Lotion, Locoid, Locoid Lipocream, Locoid Lotion, Massengill Medicated Soft Cloth, MD Hydrocortisone, Neutrogena T-Scalp, NuCort with Aloe, NuZon, Pandel, Recort Plus, Rederm, Sarnol-HC, Scalacort, Texacort, U-Cort, Westcort

What is Ala-Cort (hydrocortisone topical)?

Hydrocortisone is a topical steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation, redness, and swelling.

Hydrocortisone topical is used to treat inflammation of the skin caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, or psoriasis.

Hydrocortisone topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Ala-Cort (hydrocortisone topical)?

There are many brands and forms of hydrocortisone topical available and not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

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 amounts or for longer than recommended.

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.

Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes, or on body areas where you have skin folds or thin skin.

Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive to the effects of hydrocortisone topical.

Hydrocortisone topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.

Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this medication for several days.What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Ala-Cort (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.

How should I use Ala-Cort (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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

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.

What should I avoid while using Ala-Cort (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.

Ala-Cort (hydrocortisone topical) side effects

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.

What other drugs will affect Ala-Cort (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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrocortisone topical.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 8.03. Revision Date: 08/14/2009 11:55:43 AM.