Select a medication above to begin.
Anusol-HC Cream
hydrocortisone topical
Adult Dosing .
Dosage forms: CRM: 2.5%
Special Note
- [strength clarification]
- Info: hydrocortisone 2.5% cream = lowest potency
- [additional info]
- Info: search Topical Corticosteroid Potencies for Rx and OTC products classified by potency w/ dosage forms and strengths
dermatoses, steroid-responsive
- [apply bid-qid]
hemorrhoids (off-label)
- [apply bid-qid]
- Info: for external use
atopic dermatitis (off-label)
- [apply qd-bid]
- Info: consider applying 2x/wk after clinical effect achieved for maintenance tx
Peds Dosing .
- Dosage forms: CRM: 2.5%
Special Note
- [strength clarification]
- Info: hydrocortisone 2.5% cream = lowest potency
- [additional info]
- Info: search Topical Corticosteroid Potencies for Rx and OTC products classified by potency w/ dosage forms and strengths
dermatoses, steroid-responsive
- [apply bid-qid]
atopic dermatitis (off-label)
- [apply qd-bid]
- Info: consider applying 2x/wk after clinical effect achieved for maintenance tx
Contraindications / Cautions .
- hypersensitivity to drug or ingredient
- caution: hypersensitivity to corticosteroids
- caution: peds patients
- caution: skin infection
Drug Interactions .
Overview
hydrocortisone topical
corticosteroid topical
- CYP3A4 substrate
- hyperglycemic effects
Monitor/Modify Tx
- acarbose
- alogliptin
- bexagliflozin
- bromocriptine
- canagliflozin
- colesevelam
- dapagliflozin
- dulaglutide
- empagliflozin
- ertugliflozin
- exenatide
- glimepiride
- glipizide
- glyburide
- insulin
- linagliptin
- liraglutide
- lixisenatide
- metformin
- miglitol
- nateglinide
- pioglitazone
- pramlintide
- repaglinide
- rosiglitazone
- saxagliptin
- semaglutide
- sitagliptin
- tirzepatide
Caution Advised
- cobicistat
- darunavir
Adverse Reactions .
Serious Reactions
- HPA axis suppression (prolonged use)
- Cushing syndrome (prolonged use)
- hyperglycemia (prolonged use)
- intracranial HTN (prolonged use in peds patients)
Common Reactions
- burning
- pruritus
- irritation
- dryness
- folliculitis
- hypertrichosis
- acneiform dermatitis
- hypopigmentation
- perioral dermatitis
- allergic contact dermatitis
- maceration
- secondary infection
- skin atrophy
- striae
- miliaria
Safety/Monitoring .
Monitoring Parameters
ACTH stimulation test if HPA axis suppression risk
Pregnancy/Lactation .
Pregnancy
Clinical Summary
weigh risk/benefit during pregnancy, esp. if long-term use or if large application site; possible risk of teratogenicity based on conflicting human data and potential systemic absorption
Lactation
Clinical Summary
may use short-term while breastfeeding, otherwise weigh risk/benefit; use lowest potency steroid if used on breast and thoroughly remove before breastfeeding; inadequate human data available, though possible risk of infant harm w/ long-term extensive use or infant oral ingestion; no human data available to assess effects on milk production
Pharmacology .
Metabolism: liver primarily; CYP450: 3A4 substrate; Info: systemic absorption varies w/ application area and site, occlusion, and pt-specific factors
Excretion: urine; Half-life: 8-12h (biological)
Subclass: Corticosteroids, Topical 7: Lowest Potency ; Hemorrhoids
Mechanism of Action
exact mechanism of anti-inflammatory action unknown; inhibits multiple inflammatory cytokines; produces multiple glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects
Formulary .
No Formulary Selected
Join Now to View Patient Handouts!
Create a FREE epocrates Online account to access patient medication instructions. Your patients and caregivers will appreciate you printing these friendly handouts, available in English and Spanish. Each handout addresses common concerns such as how to take the medication, and possible side effects.
Current Members: Sign In.
Pill Pictures
Join Now to View Pill Pictures!
Create a FREE epocrates Online account to access full-color images of medications within the drug monograph.
Current Members: Sign In.