Cyclocort Cream: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Cyclocort Cream contains amcinonide, a strong topical corticosteroid used to relieve redness, itching, swelling, and inflammation from certain corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions such as dermatitis or eczema. It works by calming the skin's inflammatory response and should be applied in a thin layer as directed by a doctor. It is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age.

What is Cyclocort Cream

Cyclocort is a strong topical steroid cream, ointment, or lotion that contains amcinonide. It belongs to a group of medicines called steroids, which help reduce redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin.

Cyclocort Cream uses

• Relief of redness and itchiness of certain corticosteroid-responsive skin problems (dermatoses)
• Treats inflammatory skin conditions
• Relieves itching
• Reduces redness
• Reduces swelling and inflammation
• May be prescribed for corticosteroid-responsive dermatitis or eczema

Benefits of Cyclocort Cream

• Reduces redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin
• Helps relieve itching caused by certain skin conditions
• Provides strong anti-inflammatory activity
• Helps relieve itching
• Reduces redness and swelling
• Acts directly on affected skin

How Cyclocort Cream works

Cyclocort contains a steroid that reduces redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin by calming the body's inflammatory response in the treated area.

Cyclocort Cream dosage

Apply a thin layer to the affected area once or twice a day and gently rub it in. If you are also using a moisturizer, wait until Cyclocort has been absorbed before applying the moisturizer. Do not cover treated skin with bandages or other tight coverings unless your doctor tells you to. Wash your hands after applying, unless you are treating your hands. Do not put leftover product back into the container, since this may contaminate it.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, as your skin condition could flare up again. This medicine should not be used for longer than 5 days on the face, scalp, or skin-fold areas like the armpit and groin, or longer than 2 to 3 weeks on the body. If your condition gets worse or does not improve within 2 weeks, contact your doctor.

If you forget a dose, apply it as soon as you remember; if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and go back to your normal schedule. Do not apply extra to make up for a missed dose. This medicine is not recommended for use in children under 18 years of age. If you are 65 years or older, or have liver or kidney problems, use the smallest amount needed for the shortest time. The lotion form must be shaken before use.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream
• Ointment
• Lotion

Side effects of Cyclocort Cream

Common

• Itchy skin
• Local skin burning or pain at the application site

Serious

• Allergic reaction (rash, hives, swelling of the skin, chills, fever, muscle aches, or flu-like symptoms with a skin rash)
• Cushing's syndrome (weight gain, moon face, obesity)
• High blood sugar (frequent urination, thirst, hunger)
• Sugar in the urine (excessive or sweet-smelling urine)
• High blood pressure (headaches, vision problems, nausea, vomiting)
• Osteoporosis (weakened bones with higher risk of fracture)
• Glaucoma or cataracts (blurred vision, increased eye pressure, eye pain)
• Skin thinning, stretch marks, skin wrinkling, dryness, visible blood vessels, skin color changes, skin infection
• Increased body hair, hair loss, or damaged-looking hair
• Inflammation of hair follicles
• Worsening of the treated skin condition
• Redness, rash, or hives
• Secondary skin infection
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Upper abdominal pain
• Prickly heat rash
• Steroid withdrawal symptoms (weight loss, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain)
• Acne
• Raised bumps with pus under the skin (pustular psoriasis), especially in people with psoriasis

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine under bandages, dressings, or tight coverings, as this increases the risk of side effects and infection.
• This medicine is more likely to cause side effects when used over large areas, on sensitive areas like the face, scalp, or skin folds, on broken skin, or for a long time.
• Do not use this medicine if you have certain skin infections (bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral such as herpes or chicken pox), tuberculosis or syphilis skin lesions, a reaction after a recent vaccination, acne, rosacea, rashes around the mouth, itchy skin without inflammation, or itching around the anus or genitals.
• Avoid getting this medicine in or near the eyes or other mucous membranes; it is not intended for those areas. If contact happens, rinse with water. Absorption into the body may cause increased eye pressure (glaucoma) or cloudy lenses (cataracts).
• Children absorb larger amounts of this type of medicine and may be more likely to have side effects. It is not recommended for use in children under 18.
• Using this medicine in the genital or anal area at the same time as latex products like condoms or diaphragms can reduce how well those products work.
• Tell any doctor you see that you are using or have used this type of medicine before.
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine. It should only be used in pregnancy if the benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the baby, and the smallest amount should be used for the shortest time.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, only use it if you and your doctor agree the benefits outweigh the risks, and never apply it to the breast area so your baby cannot accidentally get it in their mouth. If you need to use it on large areas of your body, you should stop breastfeeding.
• If you have kidney problems, tell your doctor or pharmacist, as you may need to use a smaller amount or use it less often.
• If you have liver problems, tell your doctor or pharmacist, as you may need to use a smaller amount or use it less often.
• No significant direct interaction is expected with normal topical use of alcohol.
• Cyclocort Cream does not normally impair driving.

Storage

• Store between 15°C and 25°C.
• Do not freeze.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if your skin condition gets worse or your skin becomes swollen, as this may be an allergic reaction or you may need a different treatment.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist while using this medicine if you develop a skin infection, an allergic reaction, significant skin irritation, skin thinning or softening, if your condition worsens or does not improve, or if you develop raised bumps with pus under the skin.
• Get medical help right away for signs of a serious allergic reaction such as rash, hives, swelling of the skin, chills, fever, or muscle aches or flu-like symptoms with a skin rash.
• Seek medical attention for signs of Cushing's syndrome, such as weight gain, moon face, or obesity.
• Seek medical attention for signs of high blood sugar, such as frequent urination, thirst, and hunger.
• Seek medical attention for signs of high blood pressure, such as headaches, vision problems, nausea, and vomiting.
• Seek medical attention for eye symptoms such as blurred vision, increased eye pressure, or eye pain, which may be signs of glaucoma or cataracts.
• In case of an overdose, contact a health care provider, hospital emergency department, or your local poison control center right away, even if you have no symptoms.

Alternatives

• Triamcinolone topical
• Mometasone topical
• Betamethasone topical