Proctosert HC Side Effects

Generic name: hydrocortisone topical

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 5, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Proctosert HC Side Effects associated with hydrocortisone topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Proctosert HC.

Applies to hydrocortisone topical: topical application cream, topical application ointment.

Other dosage forms:

• topical application cream, topical application lotion, topical application ointment, topical application solution
• topical application cream
• topical application cream, topical application foam, topical application gel/jelly, topical application liquid, topical application lotion, topical application ointment, topical application solution, topical application spray

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits for any problems or unwanted effects that may be caused by this medicine.

If your symptoms do not improve within 2 weeks, or if it become worse, check with your doctor.

After applying this medicine to the skin of your child, watch the child carefully to make sure that he or she does not get any of the medicine in the eyes or mouth. This medicine can cause serious side effects, especially in children, if it gets into the mouth and is swallowed.

Using too much of this medicine or using it for a long time may increase your risk of having adrenal gland problems. The risk is greater for children and for patients who use large amounts for a long time. Talk to your doctor if you or your child have more than one of these symptoms while you are using this medicine: blurred vision; dizziness or fainting; fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat; increased thirst or urination; irritability; or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.

Avoid using tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child if this medicine is being used on the child's diaper area. Plastic pants and tight-fitting diapers may increase the chance of absorption of the medicine through the skin and the chance of side effects.

Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated skin areas.

Serious side effects of Proctosert HC

Along with its needed effects, hydrocortisone topical (the active ingredient contained in Proctosert HC) 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:

Other side effects of Proctosert HC

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:

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 adverse events

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]

See also:

Further information

Proctosert HC side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer