hydrocortisone and urea topical
Generic Name: hydrocortisone and urea topical (hye droe KOR ti sone and you REE ah)
Brand Names: Carmol HC
What is hydrocortisone and urea topical?
Hydrocortisone is a topical steroid. It reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause
inflammation, redness, and swelling.
Urea is an emollient (skin softener). Urea is used to moisturize the skin.
Hydrocortisone and urea is used to treat skin inflammation caused by a number of conditions
such as allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis.
Hydrocortisone and urea topical may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrocortisone
and urea topical?
Do not use plastic bandages, dressings, or diapers that do not allow air to circulate to the
area (occlusive dressings), unless your doctor directs you to do so. The use of occlusive dressings
can greatly increase the amount of drug the body absorbs.
Do not use hydrocortisone and urea topical to treat any area of the body that it is not
prescribed for. This could be dangerous.
Use hydrocortisone and urea topical cautiously, and only under the supervision of a
doctor, to treat a child. Children may be more sensitive to the effects of hydrocortisone and urea
topical.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
hydrocortisone and urea topical?
Contact your doctor if the condition does not improve or if it gets worse.
Hydrocortisone and urea topical is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it
is not known whether hydrocortisone and urea topical will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use
this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant
during treatment.
It is not known whether hydrocortisone and urea topical passes into breast milk. Do not
use hydrocortisone and urea topical without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
Use hydrocortisone and urea topical cautiously, and only under the supervision of a
doctor, to treat a child. Children may be more sensitive to the effects of hydrocortisone and urea
topical.
How should I use hydrocortisone and urea topical?
Apply the medication exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Wash your hands before and after each application, unless you are using hydrocortisone and
urea topical to treat a hand condition.
Apply the prescribed amount of medication to the affected area and rub it gently into the
skin.
Use caution on areas where the skin creases, such as armpits, knees, and elbows. These areas
may absorb more medication. Also, avoid the eyes, mouth, and mucous membranes.
If you need to protect the treated area, it can be covered with a breathable cotton-gauze
dressing. Do not use plastic, occlusive dressings that do not allow air to circulate to the area, unless
otherwise directed by your doctor. Plastic pants and diapers may be harmful if used over
hydrocortisone and urea on a child.
Do not use hydrocortisone and urea topical to treat any area of the body that it is not
prescribed for. This could be dangerous.
It is important to use hydrocortisone and urea topical regularly to get the most benefit.
Store hydrocortisone and urea topical at room temperature away from moisture and
heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
dose, skip the dose you missed and apply the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double
dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of hydrocortisone and urea topical is not likely to occur If the medication is
ingested, or if a large amount is used over a large area and side effects are being experienced, call an
emergency room or a poison control center for advice.
What should I avoid while using hydrocortisone and urea topical?
Do not use plastic bandages, dressings, or diapers that do not allow air to circulate to the
area (occlusive dressings), unless your doctor directs you to do so. The use of occlusive dressings
can greatly increase the amount of drug the body absorbs.
Do not use other topical products on the affected area unless otherwise directed by your
doctor. They may interfere with the effects or absorption of hydrocortisone and urea topical.
Hydrocortisone and urea topical side effects
Stop using hydrocortisone and urea topical and contact your healthcare provider if you
develop new or worsening signs of skin irritation or a rash anywhere on the skin.
Serious side effects are not expected to occur unless a large amount of hydrocortisone and
urea topical is used for a long period of time. If the drug is being absorbed by the body, you may
experience blurred vision, halos around lights, an irregular heartbeat, insomnia, mood changes,
weight gain, or fatigue. If you experience any unusual side effects, notify your doctor.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. You may experience some skin
redness, burning, itching, dryness, or irritation. Continue to use hydrocortisone and urea topical and
talk to your doctor about any side effects you experience.
Other local side effects may also occur, especially with prolonged use of hydrocortisone and
urea topical. These include thinning of the skin, prolonged redness, and stretch marks.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side
effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect hydrocortisone and urea topical?
Do not use other topical products on the affected area unless otherwise directed by your
doctor. They may interfere with the effects or absorption of hydrocortisone and urea topical.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with hydrocortisone and urea topical.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about hydrocortisone written for health
professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Hydrocortisone and urea topical is available over the counter and with a prescription under
the brand name Carmol HC. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your
pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date,
and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has
been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses
outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs,
diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the
expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in
no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum
does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The
information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:08:48 PM.
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