Proctitis (rectal swelling), ulcerative colitis, and other conditions are treated with rectal hydrocortisone in combination with other drugs (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the large intestine and rectum). In addition, it is utilised to treat various rectal issues like haemorrhoids and reduce itching and swelling. A group of drugs known as corticosteroids includes hydrocortisone. It reduces swelling, redness, and itching by causing natural chemicals in the skin to become active.

For usage in the rectum, hydrocortisone rectal is available as a cream, an enema, suppositories, and a foam. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription or product label that you do not understand, and carefully follow them. Follow the rectal hydrocortisone instructions precisely. Use it only as directed by your doctor, and never more or less regularly.

Hydrocortisone rectal foam for proctitis is often applied once or twice daily for two to three weeks, then, if necessary, every other day until your condition gets better. When treating severe cases, hydrocortisone rectal suppositories may need to be administered up to six to eight times daily for two weeks. Within five to seven days, proctitis symptoms may subside.

Hydrocortisone rectal cream is typically applied up to three or four times daily to haemorrhoids in adults and children 12 years of age and older. If you bought hydrocortisone over the counter (without a prescription) and your condition didn’t get better in 7 days, stop using it and call your doctor. Avoid using your fingers to apply the cream to your rectus.

Hydrocortisone rectal enema is often administered for 21 nights straight to treat ulcerative colitis. Despite the fact that colitis symptoms might become better in 3 to 5 days, it might take 2 to 3 months of consistent enema use. If your colitis symptoms do not go away in 2 or 3 weeks, call your doctor.

To ensure that you are constantly utilising the lowest amount of rectal hydrocortisone that works for you, your doctor may adjust your dose during treatment. If your body is put under unusual stress, such as through surgery, illness, or infection, your doctor could also need to adjust your dose. During your therapy, let your doctor know if your symptoms grow better or worse, if you get sick or experience any changes in your health.

Rectal suppositories of hydrocortisone may leave stains on textiles like clothes. When using this medication, take care to avoid stains.

Read the printed directions that come with the hydrocortisone rectal foam very carefully before using it for the first time. Any portion you do not understand, ask your physician or pharmacist to explain.

Follow these steps if administering a hydrocortisone rectal enema:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using rectal hydrocortisone,

• If you have an allergy to hydrocortisone, any other drugs, or any of the substances in products containing rectal hydrocortisone, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: Aspirin or other NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or amphotericin B (Abelcet, Ambisome, Fungizone); anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); barbiturates; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol, among others); cyclosporine; Isoniazid (in Rifamate, in Rifater), ketoconazole (Extina, Nizoral, Xolegel), macrolide antibiotics like clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac) or erythromycin (E.E.S., Eryc, Eryped, others), digoxin (Lanoxin), hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, and injections), phenytoin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even any not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with hydrocortisone.
• Intestinal obstruction, a fistula (an abnormal connection between two organs inside your body or between an organ and the outside of your body), a fungal infection (other than on your skin or nails), peritonitis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach area), and a tear in the wall of your stomach or intestine should all be reported to your doctor. Your physician might advise against using rectal hydrocortisone.
• Inform your physician if you have or have ever had: threadworms (a type of worm that can live inside the body); diabetes; diverticulitis (inflamed bulges in the lining of the large intestine); heart failure; high blood pressure; a recent heart attack; osteoporosis; myasthenia gravis; emotional issues, depression or other types of mental illness; tuberculosis. Also let your doctor know if you have a herpes eye infection or any other untreated bacterial, parasite, viral, or viral infection anywhere on your body (a type of infection that causes a sore on the eyelid or eye surface).
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using rectal hydrocortisone.
• Without seeing your doctor, avoid getting any immunisations (shots to prevent infections).
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you are using rectal hydrocortisone if you are having surgery, including dental surgery.
• Rectal hydrocortisone may lessen your capacity to fight infection and may stop you from exhibiting symptoms if you contract one. Avoid contact with sick persons while taking this drug, and wash your hands frequently. Avoid those who have the measles or chicken pox. If you believe you may have come into contact with someone who had the chicken pox or measles, call your doctor right once.

Your doctor might advise you to consume a lot of calcium, potassium, or minimal salt. Additionally, your doctor might advise or prescribe a calcium or potassium supplement. Pay close attention to these guidelines.

The missed dose should be taken as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Hydrocortisone rectally may have negative side effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Localized ache or burning
• Muscle tremor
• Extreme mood swings and behavioural changes
• Unsuitable happiness
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Sluggish wound and bruise healing
• Irregular or nonexistent menstruation
• Dry, brittle, or thin skin
• Acne
• Increased perspiration
• Alterations in the distribution of fat throughout the body

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Bleeding
• Changes in vision
• Depression
• Rash
• Itching
• Swelling of the lower legs, hands, arms, feet, ankles, lips, tongue, or eyes
• Hives
• Breathing or swallowing challenges

Children who use rectal hydrocortisone may have an increased risk of side effects including slowed growth and delayed weight gain. Talk to your child’s doctor about the risks of using this medication.

Long-term rectal hydrocortisone users run the risk of developing cataracts or glaucoma. During your therapy, ask your doctor how frequently you should have your eyes checked and any dangers associated with taking rectal hydrocortisone.

Your chance of developing osteoporosis may increase if you receive rectal hydrocortisone. Discuss the dangers of using this drug with your doctor.

Other adverse effects from rectal hydrocortisone are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. As directed on the packaging, store it. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Products containing rectal hydrocortisone should not be frozen or chilled.

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor how your body reacts to rectal hydrocortisone, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are using rectal hydrocortisone before to any laboratory test.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.