What is hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
Pramoxine is an anesthetic. It works by interfering with pain signals sent from the nerves to the
brain.
Hydrocortisone is a steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause
inflammation, redness, and swelling.
The combination of hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical is used to treat pain, itching, or
inflammation of the skin caused by a number of conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis,
insect bites, and minor burns or scrapes. This medication is also used on the rectal area to treat itching
and inflammation caused by hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or other rectal irritation.
Hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrocortisone or pramoxine, or if
you have chickenpox or measles.
Before using hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs or any other anesthetics or "numbing medicines." Also tell your doctor if you have:
-
liver disease;
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diabetes;
-
problems with your eyes;
-
a stomach or intestinal disorder;
-
a rectal sore or infection; or
-
if you use any drugs that weaken the immune system,
including steroids.
Hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or
viral skin infection. If you have a skin infection, you should not use this medication until your infection is
treated and clears up.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an
unborn baby. Before using hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical, tell your doctor if you are pregnant
or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical passes into breast milk or if
it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive
to the effects of topical hydrocortisone.
How should I take hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not
use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription
label.
Hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical is usually applied 3 or more times daily, depending on
which form of this medication you use. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about
how much of this medication to use and how often. Do not use hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical
for any condition that has not been checked by a doctor.
Wash your hands before and after applying this medication, unless you are using
hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical to treat a hand condition.
When using this medication on the skin, apply just enough of the medication to cover the area to
be treated. Rub in gently.
Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes or mouth, or on body areas where you
have skin folds or thin skin.
Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has
told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting
diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with hydrocortisone topical can increase the amount of the
drug your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Before apply the rectal form of this medication (cream, lotion, or foam), clean the rectal area
with mild soap and pat dry.
Use only a small amount of medicine when applying hydrocortisone and pramoxine around the
outside of the rectum. You may first place the medicine onto a clean tissue and then wipe it gently onto
your rectum.
When using this medication inside the rectum, insert only the applicator tip of the medicine tube
or foam can into the anus, no deeper than 1 inch.
Shake the hydrocortisone and pramoxine rectal foam before each use.
Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this
medication for several days, or if your condition clears up and then comes back.
Do not stop using hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical suddenly after long-term use, or
you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal
symptoms when you stop using the medication.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the rectal
foam canister away from open flame or high heat. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not
puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.
What happens if I miss a dose of hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the
missed dose and use the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
use
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
blurred vision, or seeing halos around lights;
-
uneven heartbeats;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
ongoing headache;
-
weight gain, puffiness in your face;
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increased thirst or urination, weight loss, unusual
weakness;
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fever, sore throat, tired feeling;
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severe pain, burning, or irritation of treated skin;
-
rectal bleeding;
-
any new redness or swelling where the medicine was
applied; or
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itching, oozing, or other signs of infection.
Less serious side effects may include:
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mild skin redness, burning, itching, dryness, or peeling;
-
acne;
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changes in the color of treated skin;
-
thinning of your skin;
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blistering skin; or
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stretch marks.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrocortisone or pramoxine, or if
you have chickenpox or measles.
Before using hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs or any other anesthetics or "numbing medicines."
Hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection. If
you have a skin infection, you should not use this medication until your infection is treated and clears up.
Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes, or on body areas where you have
skin folds or thin skin.
Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive
to the effects of topical hydrocortisone.
Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has
told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting
diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with hydrocortisone topical can increase the amount of the
drug your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this
medication for several days.
Do not use hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical for any condition that has not been checked
by a doctor.
What should I avoid while taking hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes, or on body areas where you have
skin folds or thin skin. If it does get into any of these areas, wash with water. Do not use
hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical on deep skin wounds, blistered skin, severe burns, irritated skin,
or large skin areas. Also avoid using this medication in open wounds.
Avoid applying other skin medications on the same treatment area with hydrocortisone and
pramoxine topical, unless your doctor has told you to.
Using a steroid can lower the blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it
easier for you to get sick from being around others who are ill. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal
in people who are using steroid medicines.
What other drugs will affect hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied
hydrocortisone and pramoxine. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about
all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of hydrocortisone and pramoxine topical?
