Description

What Is Hydrocortisone Rectal Foam?

Depending on the product, hydrocortisone rectal foam contains either hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone acetate. It is in a group of medicines called corticosteroids. These medications decrease inflammation and may help control symptoms caused by inflammatory conditions of the rectum.

Patients should be careful to check their prescription and product information, as different products have different ingredients and strengths.

What is Hydrocortisone Rectal Foam? Hydrocortisone is a steroid that reduces inflammation in the body.

Doctors often use rectal hydrocortisone to treat inflammation associated with ulcerative proctitis. Hydrocortisone products given in the rectum may also be used for some other rectal problems when a health care professional decides that it is needed.

For example, Cortifoam is indicated as adjunctive therapy in ulcerative proctitis of the distal rectum, particularly in those patients who are unable to retain corticosteroid enemas.

Therefore, patients should use this medicine only for the condition that their health care professional has diagnosed.

What does it do?

Hydrocortisone will decrease the activity of inflammation in the affected area. This may help to reduce swelling and irritation in turn. The foam formulation enables the medication to be delivered directly into the rectal area, permitting topical treatment of inflammation.

But some of the hydrocortisone can get absorbed into the body. Hence, the patients should follow the treatment plan and should not take the medicine for longer than recommended.

How to use it?

Use Hydrocortisone rectal foam as directed by your doctor or as directed on the package. Instructions may vary from formulation to formulation.

For example, the current labelling for Cortifoam states that the product should be administered with the applicator provided and warns the user not to insert the aerosol container into the anus itself.

Do not increase the amount or frequency of the drug without medical advice. Contact your healthcare professional if your symptoms become worse or do not improve as expected.

Potential Side Effects

Like other corticosteroid medicines, rectal hydrocortisone can have side effects. Some people may have local pain or burning, headache, dizziness, skin changes, mood changes or other effects.

More serious symptoms include unusual bleeding, changes in vision, severe rash, swelling, hives, or trouble breathing. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these very serious side effects.

Moreover, long term treatment with corticosteroids can increase the risk of certain complications. So your doctor may watch you for longer treatment periods.

Important Safety Information

Before using Hydrocortisone rectal foam tell your doctor if you have ever had any medical problems, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Specifically, tell us if you have any infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, liver or kidney problems, or any other serious health conditions.

Tell your healthcare professional if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor can tell you if this medicine is right for you.

FAQs

### What is hydrocortisone rectal foam?

It reduces inflammation of the rectum and may relieve symptoms associated with rectal conditions of an inflammatory nature.

### Is Hydrocortisone Rectal Foam a Steroid? **Short answer:** Yes. **A little more detail:** Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid (steroid) that is used to treat inflammation and other symptoms of certain conditions of the rectum. The rectal foam formulation is used to deliver the medication directly to the affected area.

Yes. Hydrocortisone is in a class of drugs called corticosteroids.

Can I take it without doctor’s advice?

Use prescription rectal foam products as directed by health care professional. Always check the label and follow your instructions.

What speed can it run at?

Some patients may improve within several days. But the response is different for different conditions and persons.

Overall

Hydrocortisone rectal foam might reduce inflammation linked to some rectal conditions, like ulcerative proctitis. Take this medicine exactly as directed because corticosteroids can have important side effects. Also, speak with a healthcare professional about any ongoing symptoms, worsening symptoms, or abnormal reactions.