How and When to use Hydrocortisone (Acecort, Ala-cor, Plenadren) - Doctor Explains

Welcome back to How To Medicate and welcome to this video where we will cover everything you need to know about hydrocortisone. This video is part of a video series on your skin. We will cover all kinds of skin related problems and drugs. So for more skin related videos check out this playlist:

Generic name: Hydrocortisone.
Brand names: Acecort, Ala-cor and Plenadren.
Available as an ointment, cream, tablet, capsule and injection.

How to use it?
Tablets or capsules: Swallow them whole with half a glass of water. Don’t break it and don’t chew on it. Take it before or after you ate something and do so at fixed times.
Ointment or cream: don’t apply it too thick, nor too thin. Wash your hands after you aplied it.

Duration of treatment?
The duration of the treatment depends on the indication for use: it can range from 2-3 weeks up to some cases where patients need to use hydrocortisone for life.
It is important that you do not interrupt the treatment and finish it completely.

When to use it?
Ointment and cream are used for skin-related problems like: Eczema, severe itching, inflammation of the skin and allergic skin reactions.
Tablets, capsules and injections are used as treatment in the following cases: problems with the production of corticoid hormones, severe increases of COPD or asthma or severe allergic reactions

What is the correct dosage?
Always use the dosage and frequency prescribed by your own doctor.

What are the side-effects?
Tablets and capsules: Very common (more than 10%): dizziness, headache, diarrhea, fatigue. Uncommon (0.1–1%): abdominal pain, nausea, itching, rash.
Ointment and cream: Thinning of the skin, allergic reaction, whitening of your skin and various other skin problems.

Safety:
It is safe to use with alcohol (in moderation), eat any type of food and drive your car while using this drug. However, hydrocortisone can have interactions with other drugs, which can be dangerous. Therefore always ask your prescribing physician if hydrocortisone is safe for you.
Furthermore if you are using this drugs for a longer time, than it can have additional risks when you quit suddenly or are exposed to very stresfull situations. Discuss this with your prescribing doctor.

Pregnancy and Lactation:
Hydrocortison can be dangerous when pregnant or breast feeding. So if you are pregnant or breastfeeding discuss this very clearly with your doctor.

- Disclaimer: this video and the comments are meant purely informational! This is not medical advice! If you are looking for medical advice always contact your own doctor. -

Literature:
1: Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas. (2020). Hydrocortison (systemisch).
3. Multum C. (2020). Hydrocortisone Topical.

Music:
1. Atch, This Feeling, Music promoted by Vlog No Copyright Music.
2. Erik Lund, Summertime, Music promoted by Vlog No Copyright Music.

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[teamschs]

Hydrocortisone is the best ointment for my dermatitis and starts working immediately! Very soothing and stops itching as well

[Mr.Skitttlezz]

I really enjoy these 5 minute videos it gives you some knowledge on something you wouldn't have known before

[evondalebaptist]

The ointment helps a lot with my acne.

[bluemoon]

Would hydrocortisone help with razor burn?

[Tapirtersakiti]

I was injected hydrocortisone 200mg 6 days ago.. because of pneumonia and asthma, at that time, i can see my skin feels calm, less redness, less pores, less oily, no new acne .. and now after 6 days.. my acne come again😂

[danielsteel]

My n Lil Pup. Had terrible itchy sk8n.. i happened to have. It worked immediately ❤ poor pup 😢 I applied b4 bedtime. Lil puppy was immediately relieved lil pup can sleep tonight. Thanks Doctor ❤❤❤❤ Lil Pup. Going straight to sleep. Im so thankful ❤❤

[ChristopherGray]

hydrocortisone is an amazing topical drug for the extreme eczema on my ear, if i make sure to apply it often, once every 2 or 3 days then it it is completely gone, although sometimes i forgot to apply it for about a week and start to realize my ear eczema comes back and it makes it hard to sleep with the itchiness pain and inflammation.

[coburna]

It’s a good thing you have your stethoscope on to explain to us about hydrocortisone.

[r.g]

I like the video doesnt waste my time. every word is relevant and straight to the point. thanks.

[manvirsingh]

Which drug I should use for small red pimple from shaving

[gul.]

It thinned my face skin, my skin is very sensitive now, what should I do now?

[akawamartin]

Evng Dr God bless you .plz i jas wanted to ask I have eczema at my legs and I have be used betasone ointment 0.1% but I can not find it at the famas . which another ointment Can you tell me that wrkngs like betasone ointment plz help me sir

[kokougo]

Hi doc! Can I use hydrocortisone on my face for irritation and rashes?

[nora]

Thx a lot doc😍
So, if it whitens my skin I should stop using the cream?

[LiaqatAli-qpql]

Can it reduce swelling lips nd cracking due to angular cheilitis?

[margretnyirenda]

May i know what are the side effects of using the expired cream

[Isha-hphq]

Can I use hydrocortisone-17-valerate ointment on the lips or around the lips

[gokriaak]

Hello Dr. Can it be use to treat hemorrhoids?

[reyjean]

Doc, does it helps to heal Granuloma in ear?

[LinDa-vxly]

What about thinning of the skin of the lips? Is that a serious side effect to consider when using hydrocortisone cream for eczema on the lips?