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).
2: Apotheek.nl. (2020). Hydrocortison.
3. Multum C. (2020). Hydrocortisone Topical.
* The images in this video are used for educational purposes only. Most of the images and video material in this video come from
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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Books I used In Medical School:
Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry Seventh Edition,
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology 14th Edition,
Human Anatomy & Physiology (12th Edition),
Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties,
Oxford Handbook of Emergency Medicine,
Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine,
Janeway’s Immunobiology,
Atlas of Human Anatomy (Netter Basic Science),
Netter’s Anatomy Flash Cards,
The House of God, S. Shem,
Gear I use:
Camera: Canon EOS M50:
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Microphone: Rode VideoMicPro:
Computer: Apple Macbook Pro:
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