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.
Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0%
⚠ 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 Hydrocortisone Ointment contains a medicine called hydrocortisone. It belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. It helps to reduce swelling and irritation. Hydrocortisone Ointment is used to: help reduce the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems. These skin problems include eczema, dermatitis or insect bites help reduce inflammation of the outer ear.
What you need to know before you take it
e Hydrocortisone Ointment Do not use Hydrocortisone Ointment: if you are allergic to hydrocortisone, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). to treat any of the following skin problems, it could make them worse: viral infections, such as cold sores, herpes or chicken pox fungal infections, such as ringworm, athletes foot or thrush skin blisters or sores that are caused by an infection. If any of the above apply to you, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Hydrocortisone Ointment if you are applying the ointment under an airtight dressing, including a child's nappy. These dressings make it easier for the active ingredient to pass through the skin. It is possible to accidentally end up using too much ointment. If there is a worsening of your condition during use consult your prescriber – 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 ointment without consulting your prescriber unless your prescriber has previously advised you to so. If your condition has resolved and on recurrence the redness extends beyond the Page 1 of 4
93-95/L/m/10
initial treatment area and you experience a burning sensation, please seek medical advice before restarting treatment. Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances. 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 you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Corticosteroid creams, ointments and other topical preparations come in four different potencies or 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 or strong corticosteroid has a much stronger effect than a mild corticosteroid when using the same amount. The percentage of active ingredient that is sometimes included on product packaging does not indicate potency. Hydrocortisone Ointment is classed as a mild corticosteroid. Your healthcare professional will prescribe or advise a steroid of the appropriate potency for your condition.
How to take it
Hydrocortisone Ointment Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Using this medicine You usually apply a small amount of Hydrocortisone Ointment 2 to 3 times a day. This may be reduced as your skin begins to get better. This ointment is for use on your skin only. Do not use on large areas of the body for a long time (such as every day for many weeks or months) – unless your doctor tells you to. If you are applying the ointment on someone else make sure you wash your hands after use or wear disposable plastic gloves. If your skin problem does not improve, talk to your doctor. Guidance on how to apply the ointment 1. Wash your hands. 2. Gently rub the correct amount of ointment into the skin until it has all disappeared. You can measure how much Hydrocortisone Ointment to use with your fingertip. This picture shows one fingertip unit. [Pictogram] 3. Unless you are meant to apply the ointment to your hands as a part of the treatment, wash them again after using the ointment. For an adult You should find that: two fingertips of ointment will cover both hands or one foot three fingertips of ointment will cover one arm six fingertips of ointment will cover one leg fourteen fingertips of ointment will cover the front and back of the body. Do not worry if you find you need a little more or a little less than this. It is only a rough guide. [Pictogram] Page 2 of 4 93-95/L/m/10
For a child The smaller the child the less you will need to use. A child of 4 years needs about a third of the adult amount. A course of treatment for a child should not normally last more than 7 days – unless your doctor has told you to use it for longer. If you apply Hydrocortisone Ointment to your face You should only apply the ointment to your face if your doctor tells you to. The ointment should not be used for too long as the skin on your face thins easily. If you use more Hydrocortisone Ointment than you should If, by mistake on a few occasions you use more than you should, do not worry. If you apply a lot or if a lot is accidentally swallowed, it could make you ill. Talk to your doctor or go to hospital as soon as possible. If you forget to use Hydrocortisone Ointment If you forget to apply your ointment, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time you are next meant to apply it, wait until this time. If you stop using Hydrocortisone Ointment If you use Hydrocortisone Ointment regularly make sure you talk to your doctor before you stop using it. If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. STOP using Hydrocortisone Ointment and tell your doctor as soon as possible if: you find that your skin condition gets worse or becomes swollen during treatment. You may be allergic to the ointment, have an infection or need other treatment. Other side effects you may notice when using Hydrocortisone Ointment include: irritation or itching where the ointment is applied increased hair growth and changes in skin colour blurred vision.
Possible side effects
if you use Hydrocortisone Ointment for a long time, you use a lot each time you apply it, or you apply it under an airtight dressing or a nappy: thinning of your skin and it may also damage more easily weight gain, rounding of the face and high blood pressure. These are more likely to happen in infants and children. Steroid withdrawal reaction: If used continuously for prolonged periods a withdrawal reaction may occur 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. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly 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. Page 3 of 4
93-95/L/m/10
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Hydrocortisone Ointment Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the tube and on carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Hydrocortisone Ointment contains The active substance is hydrocortisone. Each 1 g contains: 5 mg of hydrocortisone (0.5% w/w), 10 mg of hydrocortisone (1% w/w), or 25 mg of hydrocortisone (2.5% w/w). The other ingredients are: white soft paraffin and liquid paraffin. What Hydrocortisone Ointment looks like and contents of the pack Within each carton is a tube with a plastic screw cap, which contains 15 g, 30 g or 50 g of ointment. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder Chemidex Pharma Ltd, trading as Essential Generics, 8a Crabtree Road, Egham, Surrey, TW20 8RN, United Kingdom. Manufacturer Purna Pharmaceuticals NV, Rijksweg 17, 2870 Puurs, Belgium. This leaflet was last revised in July 2025.
Page 4 of 4
93-95/L/m/10
Frequently asked questions about Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0%
How do I take Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0%?
Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0% comes as ointment. 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 Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0%?
The active substance in Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0% is hydrocortisone.
Are there equivalent medicines to Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0%?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Boots DermaCare Hydrocortisone 1% w/w Ointment, Hydrocortisone 0.5% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 0.5%, Hydrocortisone 1% w/w Ointment. In total there are 8 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 Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0%, 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 Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0% 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
Hydrocortisone has topical anti-inflammatory activities of value in the treatment of a wide variety of dermatological conditions, including the following: eczema, including atopic, infantile, discoid and stasis eczemas: prurigo nodularis, neurodermatoses, seborrhoeic dermatitis, intertrigo and contact sensitivity reactions.
Hydrocortisone preparations can also be used in the management of insect bites and otitis externa.
Hydrocortisone 0.5% preparations can be used as continuation therapy in mild cases of seborrhoeic or atopic eczema once the acute inflammatory phase has passed.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
A small quantity should be applied to the affected area two or three times daily.
Hydrocortisone cream is often appropriate for moist or weeping surfaces, and Hydrocortisone ointment for dry-lichenified or scaly lesions, but this is not invariably so.
Method of administration
For topical use.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Skin lesions, caused by infection with viruses (e.g. herpes simplex, chicken pox), fungi (e.g. candidiasis, tinea) or bacteria (e.g. impetigo).
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Long term continuous or inappropriate 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.
Paediatric population
In infants and children, long-term continuous topical therapy should be avoided where possible, as adrenal suppression can occur even without occlusion. In infants, the napkin may act as an occlusive dressing, and increase absorption. Treatment should therefore be limited if possible, to a maximum of 7 days.
Appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be used whenever treating inflammatory lesions which have become infected. Any spread of infection requires withdrawal of topical corticosteroid therapy, and systemic administration of antimicrobial agents.
As with all corticosteroids, prolonged application to the face is undesirable.
Fire hazard in contact with dressings, clothing and bedding
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.
The label will state mild steroid.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
No interaction studies have been performed.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There is inadequate evidence of safety in human pregnancy.
Topical application of corticosteroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of fetal development including cleft palate and intrauterine growth retardation. There may, therefore, be a very small risk of such effects in the human fetus.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Hydrocortisone skin preparations have no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Eye disorders
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data): Vision, blurred (see also section 4.4).
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)
Hydrocortisone preparations are usually well tolerated but if signs of hypersensitivity appear, application should be stopped immediately.
Exacerbation of symptoms may occur.
Local atrophic changes may occur where skin folds are involved, or in areas such as the nappy area in small children, where constant moist conditions favour the absorption of hydrocortisone. Sufficient systemic absorption may also occur in such sites to produce the features of hypercorticism and suppression of the HPA axis after prolonged treatment. The effect is more likely to occur in infants and children, and if occlusive dressings are used.
There are reports of pigmentation changes and hypertrichosis with topical steroids.
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 Hydrocortisone 1% Ointment / Efcortelan Ointment 1.0%. 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
- Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream
- 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% w/w Ointment
- Hydrocortisone 1% w/w/ Cream POM
- Hydrocortisone 10 mg Tablets
- Hydrocortisone 10mg Dispersible Tablets