Hydrocortisone belongs to a class of medications called glucocorticoids or steroid hormones. It mainly works by reducing inflammation with a wide range of uses, including:
For mild inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema
To the skin
Adult / Child
Apply thinly 1-2 times daily.
For nappy rash
To the skin
Child
Apply 1-2 times daily for no longer than 1 week, discontinue as soon as the inflammation is resolved.
For replacement in adrenocortical insufficiency
Orally using immediate-release medicines
Adult
20-30 mg daily in divided doses; Your doctor may adjust the dose according to your response.
For ulcerative colitis / proctitis / proctosigmoiditis
Rectally using rectal foam
Adult
Initially 1 metered application 1-2 times daily for 2-3 weeks, then reduce to 1 metered application once daily on alternate days.
When used as a cream or ointment, minimise the period of time you use Hydrocortisone as long-term use can cause skin thinning.
When Hydrocortisone is taken by mouth for long-term use, it can have more serious side effects such as anxiety, cataracts, cognitive impairment, fat redistribution (moon face and buffalo hump), fluid retention, gastrointestinal discomfort, headache, impaired wound healing, high blood pressure, increased risk of infection, menstrual cycle irregularities, and osteoporosis.
Common dosing schedule:
No specific meal schedule requirements. Take with food to reduce stomach upset.
Do not discontinue oral Hydrocortisone abruptly. Discuss with your healthcare provider before stopping.
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Hydrocortisone may interact with:
Oral preparations:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
Many skin creams or ointments containing Hydrocortisone are over-the-counter pharmacy only medicines in Hong Kong. Other forms are prescription only medicines. As for pharmacy only medicines, they are over-the-counter medicine and can be purchased without a prescription in a pharmacy by speaking with the pharmacist. They can also be obtained from doctors. As for prescription only medicines, they require a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. They can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Hydrocortisone in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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