Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official and paediatric dosages, pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance, and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official and paediatric dosages, pregnancy and breastfeeding guidance, and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Hydrocortisone Cream is a smooth white cream for application to the skin only. It contains hydrocortisone which belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. Hydrocortisone Cream is used to reduce inflammation in a variety of inflammatory skin conditions, such as:
+ mild to moderate eczema
* dermatitis caused by irritants or allergens
- insect bite reactions
Hydrocortisone should not be confused with anabolic steroids, used by some body builders and taken as tablets or injections.
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. Be aware the percentage of active ingredient that is sometimes included on product packaging does not indicate potency. Hydrocortisone Cream is classed as a mild corticosteroid.
2. Before you use Hydrocortisone Cream Do not use Hydrocortisone Cream: + if you are allergic to hydrocortisone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). + if you have a bacterial infection (e.g. impetigo), viral infection (e.g. cold sores 'herpes simplex', chicken pox) or fungal infection (e.g. tinea, also called 'athlete's foot', ringworm or thrush) of the skin. * on your face or near your eyes, on the anal or genital region, or on broken skin.
Take special care with Hydrocortisone Cream Hydrocortisone Cream is not suitable for use in the following: * allergic skin reactions including temporary red or raised areas on your skin (short lived 'wheal and flare' reactions) * conditions involving the deeper skin layers, such as granulomas * psoriasis (long term scaly skin condition); only use this product on medical advice and with careful supervision by your doctor.
Do not cover the area with a plaster or dressing of any kind after application of Hydrocortisone Cream.
Take great care to apply the cream sparingly to the skin of infants or children, especially in the nappy area which can be covered for long periods. Covering the treated area can increase absorption. Treatment for infants must not exceed 7 days.
Do not apply the product to your face for long periods of time.
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.
Other medicines and Hydrocortisone Cream Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Tell your doctor if you are or may be pregnant. Ask your doctor for advice before taking any medicine during pregnancy. There is a very small risk of abnormalities in the unborn child if this product is used during pregnancy. If you are breast-feeding, do not apply the product to your chest area.
Hydrocortisone Cream contains chlorocresol and cetostearyl alcohol + chlorocresol - may cause allergic reactions + cetomacrogol emulsifying wax - which contains cetostearyl alcohol - may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).
23LF02081PW nn nn nn Omm 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 a Customer: Pinewood Healthcare PRINTING COLOURS TECHNICAL COLOURS | I I U S Item Code: 23LF02081PW @ Black Text Free Area (Non-Printing)
16 East Park Road | Leicester | LE5 4QA | UK
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Item Description: Component Type: Dimensions: Language: Market: Pharmacode No: Paper GSM: Proof By:
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Hydrocortisone 1% w/w Cream Leaflet
285 x 148 mm
English
UK
31.05.2024
e Keyline (Non-Printing)
| FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY |
Always use this medicine exactly as instructed in this leaflet. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Do not exceed the stated dose. Not for use by children under 10 years of age without medical advice.
For application to the surface of the skin only:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly before use.
2. Apply the cream sparingly to the affected area, once or twice a day for a maximum of 7 days. Massage the cream gently into the affected area to help absorption into the skin.
3. Once applied, do not cover the area with a dressing or plaster.
If the condition has not improved after 7 days, or worsens, consult your doctor.
If you use more Hydrocortisone Cream than you should If you or a child accidentally swallow the cream, contact your doctor or nearest hospital immediately. Take the packet with you to help identification.
If you forget to use Hydrocortisone Cream If you miss a treatment, apply the cream as soon as you remember, and apply the remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, Hydrocortisone Cream can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
You may notice the following:
+ rash, itchy skin, swelling of the lips, eyes, tongue, or difficulty in breathing may be signs of an allergic reaction. Stop using Hydrocortisone Cream immediately.
+ 'stretch marks' may appear, especially in skin folds such as the groin or armpits.
+ Steroid withdrawal reaction: If used over 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 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 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: 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.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package and keep the tube in the outer carton. Do not use Hydrocortisone Cream after the expiry date which is stated on the tube/carton. Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.
Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
What Hydrocortisone Cream looks like and contents of the pack The product is a smooth, white cream and is available in aluminium tubes containing 15 g.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Pinewood Laboratories Ltd., Ballymacarbry, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. PL 04917/0019
Other formats: To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge: 0800 198 5000 (UK only)
Please be ready to give the following information:
Reference number 04917/0019
Product name Hydrocortisone 1% w/w cream
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People. This leaflet was last revised in 03/2024.
23LF02081 PW NH MII i HH | Omm 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 a Customer: Pinewood Healthcare PRINTING COLOURS TECHNICAL COLOURS | I I U S Item Code: 23LF02081PW @ Black Text Free Area (Non-Printing)
16 East Park Road | Leicester | LE5 4QA | UK
APPROVAL SIGNATURE
DATE
Warning! We cannot accept responsibility for any errors in this proof after approval Whilst we take extreme care at all times to ensure accuracy to our client's brief, the final responsibility must be taken by our client.
IF YOU SIGN THIS PROOF YOU ARE SIGNIFYING FULL APPROVAL OF DESIGN AND TEXT.
Item Description: Component Type: Dimensions: Language: Market: Pharmacode No: Paper GSM: Proof By:
Proof No:
Date:
Hydrocortisone 1% w/w Cream Leaflet
285 x 148 mm
English
UK
31.05.2024
e Keyline (Non-Printing)
Hydrocortisone 1 %w/w Cream comes as cream containing 1 %. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Hydrocortisone 1 %w/w Cream is hydrocortisone.
Medicines with the same active substance include: 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, Boots Derma Care 1% w/w Cream, Boots DermaCare Hydrocortisone 1% w/w Cream. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Hydrocortisone 1 %w/w Cream, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
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.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Hydrocortisone has topical anti-inflammatory activity of value in the treatment of irritant dermatitis, contact allergic dermatitis, insect bite reactions and mild to moderate eczema.
Posology
Use sparingly over a small area once/twice a day for a maximum period of one week. If the condition has not improved, or worsens, consult your doctor.
This product should not be recommended for use on children under 10 years of age without medical advice.
Method of administration
For cutaneous use.
Bacterial (e.g. impetigo), viral (e.g. Herpes simplex) or fungal (e.g. candidal or dermatophyte) infections of the skin.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Use on the eyes and face, Ano-genital region, Broken or infected skin including cold sores, acne and athlete's foot.
None known.
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 intra-uterine growth retardation. There may therefore be a very small risk of such effects in the human foetus.
Breastfeeding
There is no evidence against use in lactating women. However, caution should be exercised when Hydrocortisone Cream is administered to nursing mothers. In this event, the product should not be applied to the chest area.
None known.
Not applicable.
Ask anything about Hydrocortisone 1 %w/w 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.
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