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Cetacort Side Effects

Generic name: hydrocortisone topical

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 28, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about hydrocortisone topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Cetacort.

Applies to hydrocortisone topical: topical application cream, topical application lotion, topical application ointment, topical application solution. Other dosage forms:

Serious side effects of Cetacort

Along with its needed effects, hydrocortisone topical (the active ingredient contained in Cetacort) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydrocortisone topical:

Less common

  • Burning sensation of the skin
  • itching skin
  • scaly rash
  • skin irritation

Incidence not known

  • Backache
  • blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
  • burning, itching, and pain in the hairy areas, pus at the root of the hair
  • burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
  • darkening of the skin
  • blurred vision
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • facial hair growth in females
  • fainting
  • fractures
  • fruit-like breath odor
  • full or round face, neck, or trunk
  • increased hunger or thirst
  • increase urination
  • increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
  • irritability
  • lightening of the normal skin color
  • lightening of treated areas of the dark skin
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of sexual desire or ability
  • menstrual irregularities
  • mental depression
  • muscle wasting
  • nausea
  • reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
  • redness and scaling around the mouth
  • severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
  • softening of the skin
  • stomach pain
  • sweating
  • thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on the face or where the skin folds together (eg, between the fingers)
  • thinning, weakness, or wasting away of the skin
  • trouble breathing
  • unexplained weight loss
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vomiting

Other side effects of Cetacort

Some side effects of hydrocortisone topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

  • Flushing or redness of the skin
  • unusually warm skin

Rare

  • Acne, pimples
  • raised, dark red, wart-like spots on the skin, especially when used on the face

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to hydrocortisone topical: compounding powder, rectal cream with applicator, rectal foam, rectal ointment, rectal solution, rectal suppository, topical cream, topical foam, topical gel, topical kit, topical lotion, topical ointment, topical pad, topical paste, topical solution, topical spray, topical stick.

General

The most commonly reported side effects were burning, itching, irritation, dryness, and folliculitis.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure, fat embolism, hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in premature infants, myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction, syncope, tachycardia, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, vasculitis[Ref]

Endocrine

Frequency not reported: HPA axis suppression, decreased carbohydrate and glucose tolerance, development of cushingoid state, glycosuria, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetes, manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus, menstrual irregularities, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness (particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery, or illness), suppression of growth in pediatric patients[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Decreased resistance to infection, concomitant skin infections[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Exophthalmos, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, posterior subcapsular cataracts, rare instances of blindness associated with periocular injections[Ref]

Psychiatric

Frequency not reported: Depression, emotional instability, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, psychic disorders[Ref]

Local

Frequency not reported: Burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Abdominal distention, nausea, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, perforation of the small and large intestine (particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease), ulcerative esophagitis[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, Charcot-like arthropathy, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, pathologic fracture of long bones, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture, vertebral compression fractures[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reaction, anaphylaxis, angioedema[Ref]

Respiratory

Frequency not reported: Pulmonary edema

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Acne, allergic dermatitis, cutaneous and subcutaneous atrophy, dry scaly skin, ecchymoses and petechiae, edema, erythema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, rash, sterile abscess, striae, suppressed reactions to skin tests, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria, miliaria, telangiectasia[Ref]

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Fluid retention, hypokalemic alkalosis, potassium loss, sodium retention, negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism, increased appetite, weight gain[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Elevation in serum liver enzyme levels (usually reversible upon discontinuation), hepatomegaly[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Convulsions, headache, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually following discontinuation of treatment, neuritis, neuropathy, vertigo[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Abnormal fat deposits, hiccups, increased or decreased motility and number of spermatozoa, malaise[Ref]

References

1. Product Information. Pandel (hydrocortisone topical). Savage Laboratories. 2001.

2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

Further information

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

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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