Hydrocortisone
Also known as: Corticalm, Sulfodene HC, Zymox, Dermacool HC, Cortisoothe, Efcortesol, Solu-cortef
* **Application**: Wash your hands after applying the medication, or wear gloves. * **Precautions**: Keep the medication away from your pet's eyes. * **Licking**: Prevent your pet from licking or chewing the treated area for at least 20-30 minutes after application. You may need to use an Elizabethan collar (cone) or distract them with a walk or food.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
Veterinary professional? See the full dosing-by-species reference on VetSheet →
What it is used for
- Focal or multifocal pruritic/inflammatory lesions
- Focal or multifocal pruritic/inflammatory lesions
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Skin atrophy (with long-term use)
- Skin fragility
- Superficial follicular cysts (milia)
- Comedones
- HPA axis suppression (rare, but possible with long-term use)
- Weight loss (catabolic effect)
- Cutaneous atrophy
- Iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism (PU/PD, elevated liver enzymes)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Gastrointestinal ulceration
- Increased urine glucose levels
- Decreased serum T3 and T4 values
- Hypothalamic-pituitary axis suppression (with prolonged use)
- Adrenal atrophy
- Impaired wound healing
- Delayed recovery from infections
- Brain damage (if hyponatraemia is corrected excessively rapidly)
Cautions & contraindications
- Tuberculosis of the skin
- Pregnancy (relative contraindication)
- Pregnant animals
- Renal disease (systemic use generally contraindicated)
- Diabetes mellitus (systemic use generally contraindicated)
- > **Important**: Clients should wash hands after application or wear gloves. Avoid contact with eyes. Do not allow the animal to lick or chew at affected sites for at least 20-30 minutes after application. Residual activity may affect intradermal or allergy serum tests; stop use 2 weeks prior to allergy testing.
Drug interactions
- NSAIDs: Increased risk of gastrointestinal ulceration
- Insulin: Glucocorticoids antagonize the effect of insulin
- Phenobarbital: May accelerate the metabolism of corticosteroids
- Itraconazole: May decrease the metabolism of corticosteroids
- Acetazolamide: Increased risk of hypokalaemia
- Amphotericin B: Increased risk of hypokalaemia
- Furosemide: Increased risk of hypokalaemia
- Thiazide diuretics: Increased risk of hypokalaemia
Frequently asked questions
What is Hydrocortisone used for in pets?
• Application: Wash your hands after applying the medication, or wear gloves. • Precautions: Keep the medication away from your pet's eyes. • Licking: Prevent your pet from licking or chewing the treated area for at least 20-30 minutes after application. You may need to use an Elizabethan collar (cone) or distract them with a walk or food.
Is Hydrocortisone safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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