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Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid secreted from the adrenal cortex, belonging to the glucocorticoid group. Hydrocortisone cream is a topical cream with the main ingredient Hydrocortisone and other excipients. The drug has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antiallergic and immunosuppressive effects.1. What is Hydrocortisone Cream?
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid secreted by the adrenal cortex. This drug belongs to the group of glucocorticoids with anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antipruritic and immunosuppressive effects. The drug has many different dosage forms such as cream, gel, lotion, ointment, injectable suspension,...Hydrocortisone topical or cream (topical application): For hydrocortisone cream, there are effective in the treatment of acute and chronic eczema of various etiologies, anal and genital itching.
2. Effects of the drug Hydrocortisone Cream
Effects of Hydrocortisone:
Belongs to the group of synthetic steroids. Has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antiallergic and immunosuppressive activity. Indications:
Hydrocortisone Cream is indicated for the treatment of the following cases:
Skin diseases caused by contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis including chronic eczema in the lichenification phase, insect bites leading to lesions on the surface of the skin; Dermatitis such as atopic eczema in children caused by food and by eczematous fungi; Eczema-type dermatitis: coin-form concentrated in the position of hands and feet; Neurodermatitis, neurodermatitis; Seborrheic dermatitis ; The nest of leeches, flat lichen; Itching of the skin is not specific to the genital area.
3. Undesirable effects of hydrocortisone cream
Common unwanted effects:
Effects on bones and joints such as osteoporosis, muscle atrophy. Cushing's syndrome to some extent, growth retardation in children; secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly during periods of prolonged stress, during trauma, surgery or illness, and weight gain. Uncommon side effects:
Digestive effects such as peptic ulcers, bleeding ulcers, ulcers in the small intestine... Mental effects such as excessive excitement, confusion, depression when stop using the drug. Rare side effects:
Contact dermatitis, skin atrophy, slow healing of scars. Immune, anaphylactoid reactions accompanied by bronchospasm. Types of infections caused by opportunistic bacteria cause disease with low virulence. How to manage potential side effects:
Cushing's syndrome and osteoporosis can be minimized by careful selection of steroid preparations, one-day or intermittent dosing schedules ; Adjunctive therapy may be effective in the treatment of steroid-based osteoporosis (calcium, vitamin D...). The problem of opportunistic bacterial infections must be constantly concerned. If necessary, use antibiotics.
4. Usage and dosage of topical hydrocortisone
4.1. How to use Hydrocortisone topical The route and dose of Hydrocortisone topical and its derivatives depend on the disease being treated and the response of each individual. Dosage for nursing infants and children should be based on the severity of the disease and the person's response to the drug, rather than age, weight, and body area alone. After the user has achieved the desired response, the treating physician will gradually reduce the dose to the lowest dose to maintain a satisfactory clinical response. If using hydrocortisone topical medicine for a long time, when stopping the drug must be stopped gradually.
4.2. Dosage of Hydrocortisone topical drug As prescribed by the treating doctor or refer to the dose as follows: 2-3 times per day. When signs of disease improve, the dose can be reduced to 1-2 times per day. The duration of use of hydrocortisone topical should not exceed 2 weeks. If there is no response after 2 weeks of use, stop taking the drug and consult a doctor. What to do if you miss a dose: Take the dose as soon as you remember. If the time interval between 2 doses is close, skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose, apply the next dose as scheduled, do not apply Hydrocortisone topical with a double dose.
Treatment of drug overdose: rare symptoms of overdose causing acute poisoning or death. If you accidentally use Hydrocortisone topical drug overdose and have serious side effects, you need to immediately go to the medical center for timely treatment.
5. Hydrocortisone cream drug interactions
Drug interactions may change how hydrocortisone topical works or increase the effects of unwanted effects. Some common drug interactions with Hydrocortisone such as:
Concomitant use of topical corticosteroids or hydrocortisone with drugs such as barbiturates, carbamazepines, phenytoin, primidone, rifampicin, the corticosteroids are at risk of increased metabolism and decreased drug effects. . Concomitant use of corticosteroids with potassium-depleting diuretics, such as thiazides and furosemide, increases potassium deficiency. Concomitant use of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increases the rate of bleeding and peptic ulcer disease. Corticosteroids also alter an individual's response to anticoagulants. Corticosteroids may increase the need for antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs. Corticosteroids may decrease serum salicylates and reduce the effectiveness of antimuscarinic agents in myasthenia gravis. Before using Hydrocortisone topical, it is best to write down a list of all the medications you are taking (including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, herbal medicines and dietary supplements) and tell your treating doctor or pharmacist. see pharmacist. You must not arbitrarily use Hydrocortisone topical, stop or change the dose of the drug without the permission of the treating doctor.
6. Note when treating with Hydrocortisone cream
When using Hydrocortisone topical, topical and topical ointment, avoid contact with the conjunctiva of the eye. When used in young children over a large area of the body, especially if used for a long time, attention must be paid to the risk of inhibiting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, causing adverse effects. whole body desire. When using high-dose topical hydrocortisone, extreme caution should be exercised in patients with osteoporosis, new intestinal anastomosis, psychosis, peptic ulcer disease, tuberculosis, diabetes-induced hypertension, and heart failure. and in growing children. Glucocorticoids should not be used in active infections, except in the case of previous anti-infectives. On the other hand, the drug still carries the risk of increasing infection due to immunosuppression when taking glucocorticoids. Children under 12 years old, only use the drug when prescribed by a doctor. In case of long-term use of topical Hydrocortisone: Be aware of the risk of increased intraocular pressure and decreased visual acuity. Specific drug users
For pregnant women:
Hydrocortisone topical has harmful effects on the fetus when tested on animals. However, the results of these studies are not relevant in humans. However, long-term use of topical hydrocortisone in high doses increases the risk of fetal adrenal suppression. Note, used before labor, the drug has the effect of protecting the baby from respiratory distress syndrome, which is very dangerous for premature babies. For women who are breast-feeding:
Hydrocortisone topical is excreted in breast milk and may be harmful to infants, even when used in normal doses. Therefore, to avoid harm to the baby, you should stop breastfeeding while using the drug and call your doctor for careful advice.
7. How to store Hydrocortisone topical medicine?
Keep Hydrocortisone topical out of reach of children and pets. Store Hydrocortisone in a cool and dry place. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or keep the medicine in humid places. The best drug storage temperature is between 15-30oC. Information on the use and expiry date of the drug is fully presented on the product packaging. Therefore, you should carefully check the information and should not use it if the medicine has expired or cannot be used anymore. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid secreted from the adrenal cortex, belonging to the glucocorticoid group. Hydrocortisone Cream is indicated for the treatment of skin diseases. To ensure the effectiveness of treatment and avoid side effects, patients need to take medicine according to prescription or consult a doctor, pharmacist for advice.
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