Treatment with alclometasone, clobetasol, halobetasol propionate and augmented betamethasone dipropionate beyond two weeks consecutively is not recommended.

Do not use if there is an infection or sores present on the area to be treated. Though very unlikely, it is possible this medication will be absorbed into your bloodstream.

This may have undesirable consequences that may require additional corticosteroid treatment.

This is especially true for children and for those who have used this for an extended period if they also have serious medical problems such as serious infections, injuries or surgeries.

This precaution applies for up to one year after stopping use of this drug. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This medication should be used cautiously during pregnancy and only if clearly needed.

Discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor.

Small amounts of this medication may appear in breast milk.

Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.

For information on Medic Alert(TM)

call 1-800-854-1166.

In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.

Generic Name: CORTICOSTEROIDS - TOPICAL

Westcort 0.2% Ointment - Prescription

Hydrocortisone Valerate 0.2% Ointment - Prescription

Westcort 0.2% Cream - Prescription

Hydrocortisone Valerate 0.2% Cream - Prescription

17950slr021_westcort_lbl.pdf

http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2003/17950slr021_westcort_lbl.pdf

corticosteroids, Westcort Cream, patients, hydrocortisone valerate, suppression, skin, occlusion, administration, axis suppression, HPA axis, report.

The corticosteroids constitute a class of primarily synthetic steroids used topically as anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agents.

Occlusive dressings with hydrocortisone for up to 24 hours have not been demonstrated to increase penetration; however, occlusion of hydrocortisone for 96 hours markedly enhances penetration.

Inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin may increase percutaneous absorption.

Studies performed with WESTCORT CREAM indicate that it is in the medium range of potency as compared with other topical corticosteroids.

WESTCORT CREAM is a medium potency corticosteroid indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid responsive dermatoses in adult patients.

Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids can produce reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression with the potential for glucocorticosteroid insufficiency after withdrawal of treatment.

CHT-SteroidClassPotencyCOLOR.pdf

http://www.rxfiles.ca/acrobat/CHT-SteroidClassPotencyCOLOR.pdf

potency, lotion, skin, cream, Betamethasone dipropionate, glycol, potent, Ointments, hydrocortisone, valerate, Desoximetasone.

cream section {possibly less skin atrophy than other mid-potency agents} 5,6.

Cost =cost for 30g/60ml (including markup/dispensing fee) in Sask.

Lowest price alternative used where available =not interchangeable in Sask.

reserve for resistant conditions; high potential for serious side effects (local & systemic) suitable for short term intermittent use in severe eczematous dermatoses and psoriasis often required for palms, soles, & scalp where thickened skin may require prolonged Tx generally limit to OD-BID, & length of Tx.

after initial control obtained often applied BID-QID; apply less frequent (OD-BID) if ongoing use *Actual potency may vary considerably depending on: site of application, skin condition, use of occlusion, and individual patient variation.

3 WHO Model Prescibing Information: Drugs Used Dermatology, draft 1995.