Does Anusol-HC (hydrocortisone) cause side effects?
Anusol-HC (hydrocortisone) is a natural corticosteroid used rectally to treat ulcerative proctitis, inflamed hemorrhoids, and anal itching, burning, and inflammation caused by several conditions that affect the anal areas.
Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory properties and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes, and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes.
Common side effects of Anusol-HC include
- burning,
- dryness,
- itching,
- irritation,
- dryness,
- contact dermatitis,
- folliculitis,
- secondary infections, and
- lightening of skin color (hypopigmentation), and local pain.
Serious side effects of Anusol-HC include
- rectal bleeding and
- severe rectal pain or burning.
The risk of drug interactions is low when Anusol-HC is administered rectally.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women on teratogenic effects from topically applied corticosteroids such as Anusol-HC.
- Topical corticosteroids should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
- Drugs of this class should not be used extensively on pregnant patients, in large amounts, or for prolonged periods of time.
It is unknown whether topical administration of Anusol-HC could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk. Systemically administered corticosteroids are secreted into breast milk in quantities not likely to have a deleterious effect on the infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
What are the important side effects of Anusol-HC (hydrocortisone)?
Hydrocortisone's most common side effects when applied to the rectum include:
- include burning,
- dryness,
- itching,
- irritation,
- dryness,
- contact dermatitis,
- folliculitis,
- secondary infections, and
- lightening of skin color (hypopigmentation)
Other side effects include:
- local pain and
- rectal bleeding
Anusol-HC (hydrocortisone) side effects list for healthcare professionals
The following local adverse reactions are reported infrequently with topical corticosteroids, but may occur more frequently with the use of occlusive dressings. These reactions are listed in an approximate decreasing order of occurrence:
| Burning Itching Irritation Dryness Folliculitis |
Hypertrichosis Acneiform eruptions Hypopigmentation Perioral dermatitis Allergic contact dermatitis |
Maceration of the skin Secondary infection Skin atrophy Striae Miliaria |
Summary
Anusol-HC (hydrocortisone) is a natural corticosteroid used rectally to treat ulcerative proctitis, inflamed hemorrhoids, and anal itching, burning, and inflammation caused by several conditions that affect the anal areas. Common side effects of Anusol-HC include burning, dryness, itching, irritation, dryness, contact dermatitis, folliculitis, secondary infections, and lightening of skin color (hypopigmentation), and local pain. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women on teratogenic effects from topically applied corticosteroids such as Anusol-HC. It is unknown whether topical administration of Anusol-HC could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk.
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Treatment & Diagnosis
- Hemorrhoids Piles FAQs
- Ulcerative Colitis FAQs
- Does Stress Cause Ulcerative Colitis?
- Does IBS Cause Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis?
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Medications & Supplements
- hydrocortisone, rectal suppository, enema, foam, Cortifoam, Anusol-HC, Anucort-HC, Proctocort
- phenylephrine hemorrhoidal gel - topical, Preparation H
- hydrocortisone suppository - rectal, Anucort-HC, Anusol-HC, Cort-Do
- hemorrhoidal suppository - rectal, Calmol-4, Tucks
- hydrocortisone rectal foam (Cortifoam, Anusol-HC, Anucort-HC)
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Professional side effects and drug interactions sections courtesy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.