Hydrocortisone Rectal

Hydrocortisone Rectal is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of Ulcerative Proctitis. 

• Hydrocortisone Rectal is available under the following different brand names: Anusol HC, Cortifoam, Anucort-HC, Peranex HC, Proctol, Proctomyxin, Proctosedyl, Proctosedyl Ointment, Xyralid RC, Cortenema 

Common side effects of Hydrocortisone Rectal include:

• Mild Rectal pain or burning,
• Acne,
• Changes in your menstrual periods,
• Increased sweating, and
• Increased facial or body hair growth

Serious side effects of Hydrocortisone Rectal include:

• Shortness of breath,
• Swelling of the ankles or feet,
• Muscle weakness,
• Rapid weight gain (especially in your face and midsection),
• Severe Rectal pain or burning,
• Bleeding from your rectum,
• Severe stomach pain,
• Sudden and severe headache,
• Pain behind the eyes, and
• Seizure

Rare side effects of Hydrocortisone Rectal include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Cream

• 1 %
• 0.5 %
• 1 %
• 2 %
• 2.5 %

Enema

• 100 mg/ 60 mL

Foam

• 10 % (15 grams)

Suppository

• 25 mg
• 30 mg

Ulcerative Proctitis

Adult dosage

Foam

• 1 applicatorful per rectum once daily or every 12 hours for 2-3 weeks, then every other day if necessary; use the lowest dosage that maintains clinical response; discontinue if no proctologic improvement is noted after 2-3 weeks
• 1 applicatorful = 900 mg; contains 90 mg hydrocortisone acetate (= 80 mg hydrocortisone)

Suspension

• 1 enema at bedtime for 21 days or until remission is achieved; 2-3 months of therapy may be required; taper to discontinue long-term therapy; improvement in mucosal integrity may be preceded by clinical improvement

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Hydrocortisone Rectal has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Hydrocortisone Rectal has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Hydrocortisone Rectal has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Hydrocortisone Rectal has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Documented hypersensitivity
• Systemic fungal infections
• Ileostomy during the immediate or early postoperative period
• Obstruction, abscess, perforation, peritonitis, fresh intestinal anastomoses, extensive fistulas

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Hydrocortisone Rectal?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Hydrocortisone Rectal?”

Cautions

• Always follow directions for use on product cartons
• Do not insert any part of the aerosol container directly into the anus
• Sigmoidoscopy is recommended for judging treatment course, rather than symptomatic improvement

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Use with caution