Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Dermacort Hydrocortisone Cream contains hydrocortisone B.P. 0.1% w/w in a specially formulated, lanolin-free cream base.
3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Cream.
4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Topical treatment of skin irritations, contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and rashes due to reactions to plants, insect bite, jewellery, toiletries, deodorants, soaps and detergents. Dermacort is also indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate eczema.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
For cutaneous use.
Adults and children over 10 years:
Apply a thin layer to cover the affected area once or twice a day.
Rub in gently until the cream disappears.
Do not use for more than one week.
4.3 Contraindications
For external use only.
Known sensitivity to hydrocortisone and /or other excipients in this product. Do not use on the eyes or face, the ano-genital region, on broken or infected skin.
As with all topical steroids, Dermacort is contra-indicated in the presence of viral, bacterial and fungal diseases of the skin.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
None known.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation
There is inadequate evidence of safety in human pregnancy. Topical administration of corticosteroids to pregnant animals can cause abnormalities of foetal development including cleft palate and intrauterine growth retardation.
Dermacort should not be used during pregnancy.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Not applicable.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Dermacort is normally well tolerated, but if signs of hypersensitivity appear application should stop immediately.
4.9 Overdose
Acute overdosage is very unlikely to occur, however, in the case of chronic overdosage or misuse the features of hypercorticism may appear and in this situation topical steroids should be discontinued.
5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties
Corticosteroids are used in pharmacological doses for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive glucocorticoid properties which suppress the clinical manifestation of a wide range of disease. Although many synthetic derivatives have been developed, hydrocortisone is still used widely in topical formulations for mild and transient inflammatory dermatitis. It has the advantage over its synthetic derivatives that it is metabolised in the skin and therefore cannot accumulate to form a depot, which may result in local side effects.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
The cream formulation of Dermacort was developed in order to optimise the release and partition of its active ingredient, hydrocortisone, into the skin. The hydrocortisone is presented as a saturated or near saturated solution in aqueous propylene glycol, which represents the continuous phase of the emulsion system. It has been shown, by the vasoconstrictor assay on normal skin, that in this environment, a 0.1% concentration of the hydrocortisone is equivalent to the 1% concentration where the drug substance is in suspension. Clinical studies have confirmed that 0.1% Dermacort is equivalent to 1.0% hydrocortisone cream BP/BPC whilst the reduced strength of Dermacort increases the margin of safety.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
None applicable.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Propylene Glycol Emulsifying Ointment Citric Acid Purified Water
6.2 Incompatibilities
None stated.
6.3
Shelf life
24 months.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
None.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
Lacquered Aluminium Tubes containing 15g of cream.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal
None.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
MARLBOROUGH PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED
35A HIGH STREET
MARLBOROUGH
WILTSHIRE
SN8 1LW
UNITED KINGDOM
8 MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)
PL 23138/0007
9 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
02/05/2007
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
02/05/2007