Hydrocortisone Topical Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2023.

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.

See also:

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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