Pronunciation: hye-droe-KOR-ti-sone-BUE-ti-rate
Brand names: Locoid Lipocream, Locoid Lotion
Dosage form: Locoid Lipocream (0.1% ), Locoid Lotion (0.1% )
Drug class: Topical steroids

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jul 4, 2024.

What is hydrocortisone butyrate?

Hydrocortisone butyrate (Locoid Lipocream, Locoid Lotion) is used to help skin conditions that respond to steroid creams. Locoid lotion can be used for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in patients 3 years and older. Locoid Lipocream can be used for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in pediatric patients 3 months to 18 years of age, and also for inflamed and itchy skin conditions that respond to steroid creams. Hydrocortisone butyrate lotion and lipocream is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine or steroid).

Hydrocortisone butyrate is only available on prescription.

Hydrocortisone vs hydrocortisone butyrate

Hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone butyrate are different medicines. Hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1% is more potent (stronger) than hydrocortisone 2.5%, 1%, and 0.5% cream, ointment, lotion or gel. 

Hydrocortisone butyrate side effects

The most common hydrocortisone butyrate side effects are application site reactions, which occur in more than 1% of patients

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Also, see the warnings section.

Warnings

Endocrine System Adverse Reactions:

• Reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression may occur, with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency. Consider periodic evaluations for HPA axis suppression if LOCOID Lotion is applied to large surface areas or used under occlusion. If HPA axis suppression is noted, reduce the application frequency, discontinue use, or switch to a lower potency corticosteroid. 
• Systemic effects of topical corticosteroids may also include manifestations of Cushing’s syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria. 
• Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity due to their larger skin-surface-to-body-mass ratios. 

Ophthalmic Adverse Reactions: Topical corticosteroids, including Locoid, may increase the risk of cataracts and glaucoma. If visual symptoms occur, consider referral to an ophthalmologist.

Skin Infections: Initiate appropriate therapy if skin infections develop in the treated area. (5.3)

Before using this medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking it must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydrocortisone butyrate topical in children 3 months of age or older. However, because of this medicine's toxicity, it should be used with caution. Children may absorb large amounts through the skin, which can cause serious side effects. If your child is using this medicine, follow your doctor's instructions very carefully.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of hydrocortisone butyrate topical in the elderly.

Pregnancy

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, Locoid should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Breastfeeding

Advise breastfeeding women to use LOCOID Lotion on the smallest area of skin and for the shortest duration possible while breastfeeding. Advise to wash off prior to breastfeeding any LOCOID Lotion that has been applied to the areas at risk for direct infant contact.

Other medical problems

Tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland disorder) or
• Diabetes or
• Glucosuria (sugar in the urine) or
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) or
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
• Infection of the skin at or near the place of application or
• Large sores, broken skin, or severe skin injury at the place of application—The chance of side effects may be increased

How to use hydrocortisone butyrate

It is very important that you use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may cause unwanted side effects or skin irritation.

This medicine is for use on the skin only. Do not get it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. Do not use it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. Rinse it off right away if it does get on these areas.

This medicine should only be used for skin conditions that your doctor is treating. Check with your doctor before using it for other conditions, especially if you think that a skin infection may be present. This medicine should not be used to treat certain kinds of skin infections or conditions, including severe burns.

Do not use the topical cream or lotion on the face, groin, or underarms unless directed to do so by your doctor, and do not use these forms for more than 4 weeks.

To use:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Apply a thin layer of this medicine to the affected area of the skin. Rub it in gently.
• Do not bandage or otherwise wrap the skin being treated unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• If the medicine is applied to the diaper area of an infant, do not use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants unless directed to do so by your doctor.
• If your doctor ordered an occlusive dressing (eg, bandage) or airtight covering to be applied over the medicine, make sure you know how to apply it. Occlusive dressings increase the amount of medicine absorbed through your skin, so use them only as directed. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Hydrocortisone butyrate dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Locoid Lotion

Instruct patients to apply a thin layer to the affected skin two times daily and rub in gently.

Advise patients to discontinue LOCOID Lotion when control is achieved 

Advise patients to avoid use for longer than 2 weeks. Instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider if no improvement is seen within 2 weeks.

Do not bandage, otherwise cover, or wrap the affected skin area unless directed by their healthcare provider.

Do not use LOCOID Lotion in the diaper area, as diapers or plastic pants may constitute occlusive dressings.

Do not use LOCOID Lotion on the face, underarms, or groin areas unless directed by their healthcare provider.

Locoid Lotion is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.

Locoid Lipocream

Apply a thin layer to the affected skin areas 2 or 3 times daily for corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in adults and rub in gently. Consult with physician to determine if treatment is needed beyond 2 weeks.

Apply a thin layer to the affected skin areas 2 times daily for atopic dermatitis in patients 3 months of age or older, and rub in gently. Safety of Locoid Lipocream in pediatric patients has not been established beyond 4 weeks of use.

Discontinue Locoid Lipocream when control is achieved.

Do not use for longer than 4 weeks.

Avoid contact with the eyes.

Do not bandage, otherwise cover, or wrap the affected skin area so as to be occlusive unless directed by physician.

Do not use Locoid Lipocream in the diaper area, as diapers or plastic pants may constitute occlusive dressings.

Do not use Locoid Lipocream on the face, underarms, or groin areas unless directed by physician.

If no improvement is seen within 2 weeks, contact physician.

Do not use other corticosteroid-containing products while using Locoid Lipocream without first consulting physician.

Locoid Lipocream is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer