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.

Further information

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

Medical Disclaimer