Drug Detail:Beta hc (Hydrocortisone topical [ hye-droe-kor-ti-sone ])
Drug Class: Topical steroids
Usual Adult Dose for Dermatitis
Cream, ointment, solution, gel, or lotion: Apply to affected area two to four times a day
Comments:
- Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or other recalcitrant conditions.
 - If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy initiated.
 - The safety and efficacy of drug use for longer than 4 weeks have not been established.
 
Use: Relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses
Usual Adult Dose for Eczema
Cream, ointment, solution, gel, or lotion: Apply to affected area two to four times a day
Comments:
- Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or other recalcitrant conditions.
 - If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy initiated.
 - The safety and efficacy of drug use for longer than 4 weeks have not been established.
 
Use: Relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses
Usual Adult Dose for Psoriasis
Cream, ointment, solution, gel, or lotion: Apply to affected area two to four times a day
Comments:
- Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or other recalcitrant conditions.
 - If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy initiated.
 - The safety and efficacy of drug use for longer than 4 weeks have not been established.
 
Use: Relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses
Usual Adult Dose for Pruritus
Rectal Suppository: 25 mg inserted rectally once or twice a day
Maximum dose: The dose may be increased to 75 mg or 100 mg a day as needed.
Rectal foam: One applicatorful (80 mg) rectally once or twice a day
Cream: Apply three to four times a day
Comments:
- Rectal foam therapy should be continued for approximately 2 weeks.
 - Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.
 
Uses:
- Suppository: In inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis; as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis; cryptitis; and other inflammatory conditions of anorectum and pruritus ani
 - Foam: Treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas
 - Cream: Temporary relief of external anal itching; temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes
 
Usual Adult Dose for Proctitis
Rectal Suppository: 25 mg inserted rectally once or twice a day
Maximum dose: The dose may be increased to 75 mg or 100 mg a day as needed.
Rectal foam: One applicatorful (80 mg) rectally once or twice a day
Cream: Apply three to four times a day
Comments:
- Rectal foam therapy should be continued for approximately 2 weeks.
 - Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.
 
Uses:
- Suppository: In inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis; as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis; cryptitis; and other inflammatory conditions of anorectum and pruritus ani
 - Foam: Treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas
 - Cream: Temporary relief of external anal itching; temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes
 
Usual Adult Dose for Ulcerative Colitis
Rectal Suppository: 25 mg inserted rectally once or twice a day
Maximum dose: The dose may be increased to 75 mg or 100 mg a day as needed.
Rectal foam: One applicatorful (80 mg) rectally once or twice a day
Cream: Apply three to four times a day
Comments:
- Rectal foam therapy should be continued for approximately 2 weeks.
 - Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.
 
Uses:
- Suppository: In inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis; as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis; cryptitis; and other inflammatory conditions of anorectum and pruritus ani
 - Foam: Treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas
 - Cream: Temporary relief of external anal itching; temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes
 
Usual Adult Dose for Hemorrhoids
Rectal Suppository: 25 mg inserted rectally once or twice a day
Maximum dose: The dose may be increased to 75 mg or 100 mg a day as needed.
Rectal foam: One applicatorful (80 mg) rectally once or twice a day
Cream: Apply three to four times a day
Comments:
- Rectal foam therapy should be continued for approximately 2 weeks.
 - Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.
 
Uses:
- Suppository: In inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis; as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis; cryptitis; and other inflammatory conditions of anorectum and pruritus ani
 - Foam: Treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas
 - Cream: Temporary relief of external anal itching; temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes
 
Usual Pediatric Dose for Dermatitis
Cream, ointment, solution, gel, or lotion: Apply to affected area two to four times a day
Comments:
- Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or other recalcitrant conditions.
 - If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy initiated.
 - The safety and efficacy of drug use for longer than 4 weeks have not been established.
 
Use: Relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses
Usual Pediatric Dose for Eczema
Cream, ointment, solution, gel, or lotion: Apply to affected area two to four times a day
Comments:
- Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or other recalcitrant conditions.
 - If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy initiated.
 - The safety and efficacy of drug use for longer than 4 weeks have not been established.
 
Use: Relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses
Usual Pediatric Dose for Psoriasis
Cream, ointment, solution, gel, or lotion: Apply to affected area two to four times a day
Comments:
- Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or other recalcitrant conditions.
 - If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy initiated.
 - The safety and efficacy of drug use for longer than 4 weeks have not been established.
 
Use: Relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pruritus
Rectal Suppository: 25 mg inserted rectally once or twice a day
Maximum dose: The dose may be increased to 75 mg or 100 mg a day as needed.
Rectal foam: One applicatorful (80 mg) rectally once or twice a day
Cream: Apply three to four times a day
Comments:
- Rectal foam therapy should be continued for approximately 2 weeks.
 - Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.
 
Uses:
- Suppository: In inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis; as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis; cryptitis; and other inflammatory conditions of anorectum and pruritus ani
 - Foam: Treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas
 - Cream: Temporary relief of external anal itching; temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes
 
Usual Pediatric Dose for Proctitis
Rectal Suppository: 25 mg inserted rectally once or twice a day
Maximum dose: The dose may be increased to 75 mg or 100 mg a day as needed.
Rectal foam: One applicatorful (80 mg) rectally once or twice a day
Cream: Apply three to four times a day
Comments:
- Rectal foam therapy should be continued for approximately 2 weeks.
 - Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.
 
Uses:
- Suppository: In inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis; as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis; cryptitis; and other inflammatory conditions of anorectum and pruritus ani
 - Foam: Treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas
 - Cream: Temporary relief of external anal itching; temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes
 
Usual Pediatric Dose for Ulcerative Colitis
Rectal Suppository: 25 mg inserted rectally once or twice a day
Maximum dose: The dose may be increased to 75 mg or 100 mg a day as needed.
Rectal foam: One applicatorful (80 mg) rectally once or twice a day
Cream: Apply three to four times a day
Comments:
- Rectal foam therapy should be continued for approximately 2 weeks.
 - Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.
 
Uses:
- Suppository: In inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis; as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis; cryptitis; and other inflammatory conditions of anorectum and pruritus ani
 - Foam: Treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas
 - Cream: Temporary relief of external anal itching; temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes
 
Usual Pediatric Dose for Hemorrhoids
Rectal Suppository: 25 mg inserted rectally once or twice a day
Maximum dose: The dose may be increased to 75 mg or 100 mg a day as needed.
Rectal foam: One applicatorful (80 mg) rectally once or twice a day
Cream: Apply three to four times a day
Comments:
- Rectal foam therapy should be continued for approximately 2 weeks.
 - Sigmoidoscopy is recommended to judge dosage adjustment, duration of therapy, and rate of improvement.
 
Uses:
- Suppository: In inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis; as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis; cryptitis; and other inflammatory conditions of anorectum and pruritus ani
 - Foam: Treatment of ulcerative proctitis of the distal portion of the rectum in patients who cannot retain hydrocortisone or other corticosteroid enemas
 - Cream: Temporary relief of external anal itching; temporary relief of itching associated with minor skin irritations and rashes
 
Usual Pediatric Dose for Atopic Dermatitis
Apply a thin film to the affected skin areas two times a day
Comments:
- Cream should not be used with occlusive dressings or applied in the diaper area unless directed by a healthcare provider.
 
Use: Treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients 3 months to 18 years of age
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients
 
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- The treated area should not be bandaged, covered, or wrapped, as to be occlusive, unless directed by a healthcare provider.
 - Parents of pediatric patients should be advised not to use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child being treated in the diaper area.
 
Storage requirements:
- Excessive heat and freezing should be avoided.
 - The aerosol container should not be stored at temperatures above 120F (48.8C).
 
Monitoring:
- Endocrine: HPA-axis suppression (Urinary free-cortisol test, ACTH-stimulation test)
 
Patient advice:
- Patients should report any signs of local adverse reactions, especially those that develop under occlusive dressings.
 - This medication is to be used as directed by the physician.
 - Patients should be advised not to use this medication for any condition other than for which it was prescribed.