Anusol-HC Side Effects
Generic name: hydrocortisone topical
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 30, 2024.
Note: This document contains side effect information about hydrocortisone topical. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Anusol-HC.
Applies to hydrocortisone topical: topical application cream, topical application ointment. Other dosage forms:
- topical application cream, topical application lotion, topical application ointment, topical application solution
- topical application cream
- topical application cream, topical application foam, topical application gel/jelly, topical application liquid, topical application lotion, topical application ointment, topical application solution, topical application spray
Serious side effects of Anusol-HC
Along with its needed effects, hydrocortisone topical (the active ingredient contained in Anusol-HC) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydrocortisone topical:
More common
- Skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
- stinging
Less common
- Burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site
- cough or hoarseness
- dry skin
- fever or chills
- itching in the genital or other skin areas
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- rash
- rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
- skin irritation
Incidence not known
- Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- redness and scaling around the mouth
- thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on facial or intertriginous areas
Other side effects of Anusol-HC
Some side effects of hydrocortisone topical may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Diarrhea
- indigestion
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- passing of gas
- stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort
Incidence not known
- Acne or pimples
- burning and itching of the skin with pinhead-sized red blisters
- burning, itching, and pain in hairy areas, or pus at the root of the hair
- increased hair growth on the forehead, back, arms, and legs
- lightening of normal skin color
- lightening of treated areas of dark skin
- reddish purple lines on the arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin
- softening of the skin
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to hydrocortisone topical: compounding powder, rectal cream with applicator, rectal foam, rectal ointment, rectal solution, rectal suppository, topical cream, topical foam, topical gel, topical kit, topical lotion, topical ointment, topical pad, topical paste, topical solution, topical spray, topical stick.
General
The most commonly reported side effects were burning, itching, irritation, dryness, and folliculitis.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac enlargement, circulatory collapse, congestive heart failure, fat embolism, hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in premature infants, myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction, syncope, tachycardia, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, vasculitis[Ref]
Endocrine
Frequency not reported: HPA axis suppression, decreased carbohydrate and glucose tolerance, development of cushingoid state, glycosuria, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetes, manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus, menstrual irregularities, secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness (particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery, or illness), suppression of growth in pediatric patients[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Decreased resistance to infection, concomitant skin infections[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Exophthalmos, glaucoma, increased intraocular pressure, posterior subcapsular cataracts, rare instances of blindness associated with periocular injections[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Depression, emotional instability, euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, psychic disorders[Ref]
Local
Frequency not reported: Burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Frequency not reported: Abdominal distention, nausea, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, perforation of the small and large intestine (particularly in patients with inflammatory bowel disease), ulcerative esophagitis[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads, Charcot-like arthropathy, loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, pathologic fracture of long bones, steroid myopathy, tendon rupture, vertebral compression fractures[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reaction, anaphylaxis, angioedema[Ref]
Respiratory
Frequency not reported: Pulmonary edema
Dermatologic
Frequency not reported: Acne, allergic dermatitis, cutaneous and subcutaneous atrophy, dry scaly skin, ecchymoses and petechiae, edema, erythema, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, rash, sterile abscess, striae, suppressed reactions to skin tests, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria, miliaria, telangiectasia[Ref]
Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Fluid retention, hypokalemic alkalosis, potassium loss, sodium retention, negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism, increased appetite, weight gain[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Elevation in serum liver enzyme levels (usually reversible upon discontinuation), hepatomegaly[Ref]
Nervous system
Frequency not reported: Convulsions, headache, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually following discontinuation of treatment, neuritis, neuropathy, vertigo[Ref]
Other
Frequency not reported: Abnormal fat deposits, hiccups, increased or decreased motility and number of spermatozoa, malaise[Ref]
More about Anusol-HC (hydrocortisone topical)
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- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: topical steroids
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Patient resources
- Anusol-HC cream, suppository drug information
- Anusol-HC (Hydrocortisone Rectal Cream)
- Anusol-HC (Hydrocortisone Rectal Suppositories)
Other brands
Westcort, Anucort-HC, Cortaid, Cortizone-10, ... +37 more
Professional resources
Other brands
Westcort, Anucort-HC, Proctozone HC, Proctocort, ... +14 more
Other formulations
Related treatment guides
References
1. Product Information. Pandel (hydrocortisone topical). Savage Laboratories. 2001;PROD.
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.