CORTIDERM 1% CREAM 30G

Indications

Approved Uses

Relief of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid‑responsive dermatoses (e.g., eczema/atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrhoeic dermatitis, insect bite reactions, and other minor skin rashes/itching).

Dosage & Administration

Dosing by Condition

For most mild inflammatory/pruritic dermatoses (e.g., eczema/dermatitis, insect bites): apply a thin layer 2-3 times daily; reassess if not improving within 7 days (or sooner if worsening) and avoid extended continuous use without medical review.

Initial Dose

Apply a thin layer to the affected area 2 to 3 times daily.

Maintenance Dose

Apply a thin layer to the affected area once or twice daily as symptoms improve.

Maximum Dose

Apply a thin layer 1-2 times daily; do not use longer than 7 days on the face or longer than 1-2 weeks (up to 2-4 weeks max) on other areas without medical review; avoid large areas/occlusion (practically keep to limited body surface area).

Children's Dosage

Children 2 years and older: apply thin layer to affected area once to twice daily for no more than 7 days; use under medical supervision. Not recommended in infants under 2 years without medical advice

Dose Adjustment Notes

Use the lowest effective amount for the shortest duration; use extra caution (smaller amounts/shorter courses and avoid prolonged use) on the face, intertriginous areas, and in children due to higher absorption and risk of adverse effects.

How to Take

For topical use only: apply a thin layer to clean, dry affected skin and gently rub in 2-3 times daily; wash hands before and after use (unless treating hands); avoid eyes, mouth and mucous membranes; do not use under occlusive dressings/bandages unless directed by a clinician.

Side Effects

Common Side Effects

Application-site burning/stinging, itching, irritation, redness, and dryness; with prolonged or excessive use: skin thinning/atrophy and folliculitis.

Side Effect Frequency

Common: application-site burning/stinging/itching/irritation and dryness/erythema; Uncommon: folliculitis, acneiform eruption, perioral dermatitis (especially facial use), contact dermatitis/sensitization; Rare (typically with prolonged/extensive use, occlusion, or in children): skin atrophy, striae, telangiectasia, hypopigmentation, hypertrichosis, and systemic effects (HPA-axis suppression/Cushingoid features).

Safety & Warnings

Contraindications

Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone/any excipient; and in untreated cutaneous infections (bacterial, viral e.g., herpes/varicella, or fungal) and in acne/rosacea/perioral dermatitis; avoid use on ulcerated/broken skin unless directed with appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Warnings & Precautions

External use only; avoid eyes/mucosa; do not use on untreated infected, broken, or ulcerated skin; avoid occlusive dressings/diaper occlusion unless directed; use the smallest amount for the shortest time (extra caution on face, intertriginous areas, and in children); stop and seek advice if irritation, worsening, or infection occurs.

Age Restriction

Children <2 years: use only under medical supervision (consult a doctor).

Driving Warning

Safe

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions

No clinically significant drug interactions are expected with normal topical use; avoid concurrent use of other topical corticosteroids on the same area and use caution with extensive use alongside systemic corticosteroids due to additive systemic steroid effects.

Interaction Severity

No clinically significant drug interactions are expected with typical short-term topical use; a theoretical minor additive risk of systemic corticosteroid effects exists only with extensive/prolonged use, large surface area, inflamed skin, or occlusion (including with other corticosteroids).

Food Interaction

No restriction

Alcohol Interaction

Safe

Special Populations

Children

Children 2 years and older: apply thin layer to affected area once to twice daily for no more than 7 days; use under medical supervision. Not recommended in infants under 2 years without medical advice

Elderly

Standard adult dosing; use with caution as elderly patients may have thinner, more fragile skin with increased risk of atrophy

Kidney Impairment

No dose adjustment needed for renal impairment (topical use).

Storage & Patient Advice

Stopping the Medicine

If used for more than 1-2 weeks, on large areas, on the face/genitals, or under occlusion, taper by reducing application frequency (e.g., once daily → every other day → stop) to minimize rebound/flare; short-term limited-area use may be stopped when symptoms resolve.

Overdose

Overdose is unlikely with short-term appropriate topical use; excessive/prolonged use or use on large areas/under occlusion can cause local atrophy and systemic corticosteroid effects (e.g., HPA-axis suppression/Cushingoid features); management is to stop or taper and provide supportive care, and seek medical attention if systemic effects or accidental ingestion occurs.

Patient Counseling

Apply a thin layer only to affected skin (2-3 times daily) and wash hands after use; avoid eyes/mucosa and do not use under occlusive dressings unless advised; avoid prolonged use-seek medical advice if worsening or no improvement within 7 days; do not apply to infected skin unless treated/assessed; use extra caution on face/groin/skin folds and in children; for pregnancy/breastfeeding use the smallest area for the shortest time and avoid applying to the nipple/areola before feeds.

Monitoring Requirements

No routine monitoring is needed for short-term OTC use; if used for prolonged periods, on large areas, under occlusion, on the face/intertriginous areas, or in children, monitor for skin atrophy/striae/telangiectasia, secondary infection, and rare systemic corticosteroid effects (HPA-axis suppression).

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

Hydrocortisone acetate (a low‑potency topical corticosteroid) binds intracellular glucocorticoid receptors to modulate gene transcription, decreasing pro‑inflammatory cytokines/mediators and reducing vasodilation/capillary permeability, thereby relieving inflammation and pruritus.

Bioavailability

Systemic absorption is usually minimal through intact skin but increases with inflammation, damaged/thin skin (e.g., face/intertriginous areas), large surface area use, prolonged use, and occlusion.

Product Information

Available Dosage Forms

Cream, Ointment, Lotion, Gel, Solution, Foam, Spray

Composition per Dose

Each gram of cream contains 10mg of Hydrocortisone Acetate (1%).

Generic Availability

Yes

Skin Condition

Eczema, Dermatitis, Insect Bites, Rashes

Steroid Potency

Mild

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