Hydrocortisone, Topical
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Hydrocortisone, Topical during a consultation by Dr Noor. Hydrocortisone, Topical information for pets in Perth.”
Hydrocortisone, Topical for pets
(hye-droe-kor-ti-zone)
Description:
This is a steroid medicine used on the skin to help reduce swelling and irritation.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Cortaid®
- Cortizone-10®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals:
- Hydrocortisone 0.5% and 1% may come as a cream, ointment, wipe, spray, liquid solution, or shampoo.
- It may be sold by itself or mixed together with other medicines.
- For people:
- Hydrocortisone 0.5%, 1%, and 2.5% may come as a gel, cream, ointment, or lotion.
This handout does not include every possible detail about this medicine. It is meant to address common questions, but it does not replace advice from a medical professional. If you need more details or have questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- Hydrocortisone used on the skin is meant for short-term treatment in dogs, cats, and horses when there is itchy or inflamed skin.
- To help limit unwanted effects, apply it to the smallest area you can, and use it for the shortest time you can.
- This medicine may affect allergy testing results, so it should be stopped 2 weeks before allergy testing.
- If an animal swallows this medicine, it can be harmful. Make sure your animal cannot lick the place where you put it.
- Do not put it in the eyes or close to the eyes.
- After you use it, wash your hands.
How is this medication useful?
Hydrocortisone for the skin can be used in dogs, cats, horses, and small pets (for example, rabbits) to help manage small patches of irritated and itchy skin.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can decide together on the best plan.
- Some medicines can interact with this one.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.
- Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has had the same problem in the past, tell your veterinarian what was used before and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian or pharmacist if your animal has ever had side effects from medicines before.
- Examples include allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, loose stool, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- You may notice your animal feels better within 1 to 2 hours after you apply it.
- After that, the signs you see should start to get better.
- This medicine does not last long.
- Its effects may only continue for a few hours.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special reasons to be careful with this medicine for your animal.
This medicine SHOULD NOT be used in animals that are:
- If your animal is allergic to hydrocortisone.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in patients:
- If your animal is pregnant, nursing, or intended for breeding.
- If your animal has diabetes mellitus (a condition involving blood sugar problems) or hyperadrenocorticism (a condition where the body makes too much natural steroid hormone).
- If your animal needs treatment over a large part of the body.
- If your animal is very small (for example, toy breeds).
If your animal has any of the conditions listed above, speak with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Most animals handle hydrocortisone on the skin without problems.
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
You do not need to be extremely worried if you notice these signs unless they are strong, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian right away.
- Local skin changes where it was used (for example, redness, itching, or a burning feeling)
- Drinking more than usual (large amounts of water) and urinating more often
- Skin becoming thinner, skin tearing more easily, or infections developing where it was applied
- Cuts or sores taking longer to heal
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- If you see, or think, that your animal received too much or swallowed this medicine by accident, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control service for instructions.
- When you call, have the package directions and the prescription label with you so you can provide the needed information.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work as intended, follow your veterinarian’s directions exactly. Always read the prescription label and the package directions to confirm you are using it the right way.
- After applying it, prevent your animal from licking or grooming the treated area for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
- Do not place a covering or bandage over the area unless your veterinarian tells you to.
- Do not use it in the eyes or around the eyes.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time depending on the situation.
- Make sure you know how long your veterinarian wants you to keep using it.
- You may need prescription refills before the full treatment period is finished.
- Do not stop using it without speaking to your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, apply it when you remember.
- If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, do not apply the missed one.
- Apply the next dose at the regular time.
- Then continue with the normal schedule.
- Do not apply extra medicine and do not apply two doses to make up for the missed one.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in its original container.
- Store it at room temperature.
- Keep it away from light.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version (a compounded form) for your animal, follow the storage directions you were given for that product.
- Store this medicine where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
First aid for caregiver exposure:
- It is advised to wear gloves when you apply this medicine, and to wash your hands afterward.
- This product is only for use on the outside of the body and may be harmful if swallowed.
- Keep it out of children’s reach.
- IF SWALLOWED:
- Call a poison control center or a doctor immediately for treatment advice.
- If the person is awake and can swallow, have them drink several glasses of water.
- Do not give anything by mouth to someone who is unconscious.
- Get medical help immediately.
- Do not make the person vomit unless medical staff tell you to.
- IF IN EYES:
- Rinse the eyes right away with plenty of water for 15 minutes, then get advice from a poison control center or a doctor.
- IF ON SKIN:
- Take off any clothing that has the product on it.
- Wash the affected skin right away using plenty of soap and water for at least 15 minutes.
- If a skin reaction happens, get medical care.
- Wash the clothing before wearing it again.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour this medicine into a sink and do not flush it down a toilet.
- If your area has a community medication “take-back” program, use that.
- If there is no take-back option:
- Combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unappealing to children and animals and not recognizable to people who may search through trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks.
- Then place the bag in the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Some animal competitions may not allow the use of this medicine.
- Before entering a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine, check the rules.
- Use hydrocortisone only on small areas and only for the shortest time needed to manage your animal’s problem.
- If your animal will have allergy testing, your veterinarian will tell you when to stop this medicine so it does not affect the test results.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”
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