Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Hydrocortisone may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
FOR
The name of the medicine is Dermacort. The active ingredient is 0.1% Hydrocortisone, in a lanolin-free cream base that is quickly absorbed into the skin to treat the irritation that causes itching. Dermacort reduces swelling and redness and allows healing. Dermacort can be used for the treatment of skin irritations, dermatitis and rashes due to reactions to plants, insect bites, jewellery, toiletries, deodorants, soaps and detergents. It may also be used for the treatment of mild to moderate eczema. Corticosteroid creams, ointments and other topical preparations come in four different strengths. These are known as mild, moderately potent, potent or very potent. Healthcare professionals will usually refer to topical corticosteroid potency rather than strength. A potent corticosteroid has a much stronger effect than a mild corticosteroid. Be aware the percentage of active ingredient that is sometimes included on product packaging does not indicate potency. Dermacort is classed as a mild corticosteroid. 2.
What you need to know before you take it
E DERMACORT
Do not use Dermacort: • if you are allergic to hydrocortisone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). • on the eyes or face • on the ano-genital region • on broken or infected skin, including cold sores, acne and athlete's foot Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before using Dermacort.
Do not smoke or go near naked flames – risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build- up but not totally remove it. If your condition worsens during use consult a pharmacist or doctor – you may be experiencing an allergic reaction, have an infection or your condition requires a different treatment. If you experience a recurrence of your condition shortly after stopping treatment, within 2 weeks, do not restart using the cream/ointment without consulting a pharmacist or doctor. If your condition has resolved and on recurrence the redness extends beyond the initial treatment area and you experience a burning sensation please seek medical advice before restarting treatment. Children Do not use in children under 10 years of age without medical advice. Pregnancy Do not use if you think you may be pregnant. Important information about some of the ingredients of Dermacort Dermacort contains propylene glycol which may cause skin irritation. Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances. 3.
How to take it
DERMACORT
Dermacort is for EXTERNAL USE ONLY. •Adults and children over 10 years: Apply a thin layer to cover the affected area once or twice a day.
- You should find that:
- two fingertips of cream will treat both hands or one foot
- three fingertips of cream will treat one arm
- You should only apply the cream to the affected area
- Rub in gently until the cream disappears.
- Wash your hands before and after application, unless used for treating the hands
Do not use Dermacort for more than one week. If the condition does not improve after one week consult your doctor. 4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. You may find that your condition gets worse during treatment, you may be allergic to the cream or have a skin infection. lf this happens stop using the cream and contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.
Steroid withdrawal reaction: If used for prolonged periods a withdrawal reaction, which might appear to be different from the previous condition, may occur in some patients during treatment or within days to weeks after on stopping treatment, with some or all of the following features: redness of the skin which can extend beyond the initial area treated, a burning or stinging sensation, intense itching, peeling of the skin, oozing open sores. Uncommon side effect (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) •Blurred vision Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This includes any
Possible side effects
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
DERMACORT Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Dermacort after the expiry date which is stamped on the tube and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month. Dermacort should be stored in a cool, dry place (below 25°C). Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Dermacort contains The active substance in Dermacort is 0.1% Hydrocortisone. The other ingredients are propylene glycol, emulsifying ointment, citric acid and purified water. The cream does not contain Lanolin. Contents of the pack Dermacort is available in packs of 15g. Marketing Authorisation Holder Marlborough Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Sovereign House, Miles Gray Road, Basildon, Essex SS14 3FR, United Kingdom.
PL 23138/0007
Manufacturer PHARBIL Waltrop GmbH, lm Wirrigen 25, D-45731, Waltrop, Germany Dermacort is a registered trademark.
For information in large print, tape, CD or Braille, telephone 01279 406759 This leaflet was last revised in: December 2023.
Frequently asked questions about Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream
How do I take Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream?
Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream comes as cream. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream?
The active substance in Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream is hydrocortisone.
Are there equivalent medicines to Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Boots Derma Care 1% w/w Cream, Boots DermaCare Hydrocortisone 1% w/w Cream, Boots Insect Bite & Sting Treatment 1% Cream. In total there are 14 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: hydrocortisone
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Topical treatment of skin irritations, contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and rashes due to reactions to plants, insect bite, jewellery, toiletries, deodorants, soaps and detergents. Dermacort is also indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate eczema.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
For cutaneous use.
Method of administration
Adults and children over 10 years:
Apply a thin layer to cover the affected area once or twice a day.
Rub in gently until the cream disappears.
Do not use for more than one week.
4.3. Contraindications
For external use only.
Hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone or to any other excipients listed in section 6.1.
Do not use on the eyes or face, the ano-genital region, on broken or infected skin.
As with all topical steroids, Dermacort is contra-indicated in the presence of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases of the skin.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Instruct patients not to smoke or go near naked flames - risk of severe burns. Fabric (clothing, bedding, dressings etc) that has been in contact with this product burns more easily and is a serious fire hazard. Washing clothing and bedding may reduce product build-up but not totally remove it.
Withdrawal and Misuse
Long term use of topical steroids can result in the development of rebound flares after stopping treatment (topical steroid withdrawal syndrome). A severe form of rebound flare can develop which takes the form of a dermatitis with intense redness, stinging and burning that can spread beyond the initial treatment area. It is more likely to occur when delicate skin sites such as the face and flexures are treated. Should there be a reoccurrence of the condition within days to weeks after successful treatment a withdrawal reaction should be suspected. Reapplication should be with caution and specialist advise is recommended in these cases or other treatment options should be considered.
Visual disturbance
Visual disturbance may be reported with systemic and topical corticosteroid use. If a patient presents with symptoms such as blurred vision or other visual disturbances, the patient should be considered for referral to an ophthalmologist for evaluation of possible causes which may include cataract, glaucoma or rare diseases such as central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) which have been reported after use of systemic and topical corticosteroids.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There is inadequate evidence of safety in human pregnancy. Topical administration of corticosteroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of foetal development including cleft palate and intrauterine growth retardation.
Dermacort should not be used during pregnancy.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not applicable.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Eye disorders: Frequency uncommon: Vision, blurred (see also section 4.4).Dermacort is normally well tolerated, but if signs of hypersensitivity appear application should stop immediately.
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders: Not known (cannot be estimated from available data) Withdrawal reactions - redness of the skin which may extend to areas beyond the initial affected area, burning or stinging sensation, itch, skin peeling, oozing pustules. (see section 4.4)
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
Acute overdosage is very unlikely to occur, however, in the case of chronic overdosage or misuse, the features of hypercorticism may appear and in this situation topical steroids should be discontinued.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
Medicines containing Hydrocortisone
- Alkindi 0.5 mg granules in capsules for opening
- Alkindi 1 mg granules in capsules for opening
- Alkindi 2 mg granules in capsules for opening
- Alkindi 5 mg granules in capsules for opening
- Efmody 10 mg capsule Modified-release capsule
- Efmody 5mg modified release hard capsules
- Hydrocortisone 0.5% Cream / Efcortelan Cream 0.5%
- Hydrocortisone 0.5% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 0.5%
- Hydrocortisone 1% Cream / Efcortelan Cream 1%
- Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0%
- Hydrocortisone 1% w/w Ointment
- Hydrocortisone 1% w/w/ Cream POM
- Hydrocortisone 10 mg Tablets
- Hydrocortisone 10mg Dispersible Tablets