Hydrocortisone topical

Bacitracin Polymyxin B, Topical (Polysporin) Bacitracin, Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Topical (Neosporin Ointment) Bacitracin, Neomycin, Pol5rm5 xm B, Hydrocortisone, Topical (Cortisporin)... 

Hydrocortisone, Topical Systemic (Cortef, Solu-Cortef) Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)... 

Fisher AA. Allergic reactions to the preservatives in over-the-counter hydrocortisone topical creams and lotions. Cutis 1983 32 222, 224, 230. 

The principal OTC pharmaceutical products include cold remedies, vitamins and mineral preparations, antacids, analgesics, topical antibiotics, antiftingals and antiseptics, and laxatives. Others include suntan products, ophthalmic solutions, hemorrhoidal products, sleep aids, and dermatological products for treatment of acne, dandmff, insect parasites, bums, dry skin, warts, and foot care products (11). More recent prescription-to-OTC switches have included hydrocortisone, antihistamine and decongestant products, antiftingal agents, and, as of 1995, several histamine H2-receptor antagonists. 

Examples of topical corticosteroids include amdnonide (Cyclocort), betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone), fluocinolone acetonide (Flurosyn), hydrocortisone (Cort-Dome), and triamcinolone acetate (Aristocort). 

Patients with severe UC symptoms require hospitalization for management of their disease. If the patient is unresponsive to oral or topical mesalamine and oral corticosteroids, then a course of intravenous corticosteroids should be initiated.1 Hydrocortisone 300 mg/day given in three divided doses or methylprednisolone 60 mg daily for 7 to 10 days are the preferred therapies. 

Clearly the physicochemical properties of a drug are a decisive factor in its overall activity. Where possible, molecular structures should be optimized to obtain best clinical performance. Rarely does an oral drug have physicochemical features suitable for topical or transdermal therapy, and it can take a great deal of systematic research to identify where the best balance of activity and permeability lies. Experience with corticosteroids suggests that as much as a 100-fold improvement in clinical activity may be attainable through molecular design, for today s most potent topical corticosteroids are more active than hydrocortisone by a factor at least this large. 

Topical routes of drug administration are where the drug is applied directly to the site of action. Many medicines are applied directly for example, hydrocortisone can be rubbed into the skin to relieve a local area of inflammation. The anticholinesterase neostigmine is dropped directly onto the eye surface to relieve glaucoma, a condition characterised by raised intra-ocular pressure which if untreated can lead to blindness. 

The application of a mild topical corticosteroid, such as hydrocortisone, is effective in patients presenting with multiple mosquito bites. Paracetamol, which is an antipyretic agent is not indicated in mosquito bites. Fusidic acid cream is an anti-infective agent and is indicated if the mosquito bites have been scratched and there is risk of infection. Benzocaine (anaesthetic) and mepyramine (antihistamine) may relieve itchiness but are less effective in multiple mosquito bites than hydrocortisone. 

Docusate sodium is a preparation used for softening ear wax before removal. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid, whereas gentamicin, neomycin and clioquinol are antibacterial agents. Otitis externa may be managed by the use of antibacterial preparations used alone or in combination with topical corticosteroids. 

Proprietary preparations of hydrocortisone for skin administration present a low-potency corticosteroid for topical skin administration. 

Examples of group I, i.e. weak or low efficacy topical steroids, are hydrocortisone acetate in various concentrations, methylprednisolone 1.0% and prednisolone 0.5%. Group II, the moderately potent steroids, includes alclometasone dipropionate 0.05%, hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%, triamcinolone acetonide 0.025% and fluocinolone ace-tonide 0.01%. Group III, the potent steroids, contains among others betamethasone valerate 0.1%, betamethasone dipropionate 0.05%, budesonide 0.025%, desoximetasone 0.05%, fluticasone propionate 0.05%, amcinonide 0.1%, fluocinonide 0.05% and mometasone furoate 0.1%. Group IV comprises the very potent agents such as clobetasol propionate 0.05% and halobetasol propionate 0.05%. 

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