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

Quick overview

Cyclocort Ointment contains amcinonide, a high-potency topical corticosteroid. It is used to relieve redness and itchiness from corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. It works by reducing inflammation, swelling, and irritation of the skin. Cyclocort is for use on the skin only and is not recommended for anyone under 18 years of age.

What is Cyclocort Ointment

Cyclocort is a strong topical steroid medicine. It contains amcinonide, which belongs to a group of medicines called steroids. It comes as a cream, ointment, or lotion that you apply to the skin.

Cyclocort Ointment uses

• Used to help relieve the redness and itchiness of certain skin problems (corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions)
• Treats eczema
• Treats dermatitis
• Helps control psoriasis

Benefits of Cyclocort Ointment

• Helps reduce redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin
• Reduces inflammation
• Relieves itching
• Reduces redness and swelling
• Provides high-potency topical corticosteroid activity

How Cyclocort Ointment works

Cyclocort contains a steroid medicine that helps reduce redness, swelling, and irritation of the skin.

Cyclocort Ointment dosage

Apply a thin layer to the affected area and gently rub it in, using only enough to cover the area. Wash your hands after use, unless you are treating your hands. Do not return excess product to the container, as it may cause contamination. If you also use a moisturizer, wait until Cyclocort has been absorbed before applying it. Do not use bandages or other airtight coverings over treated skin.

Do not use on the face, scalp, or skin-fold areas (like armpit or groin) for more than 5 days. Do not use on the body for more than 2 to 3 weeks; contact your doctor if your condition worsens or does not improve within 2 weeks. Do not stop using suddenly, as your skin condition could flare up again.

Use only as directed by your health care provider — do not use more, more often, or for longer than recommended. Do not give this medicine to anyone else. This medicine is for use on the skin only — do not use it in or near the eyes or on other mucous membranes.

If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular 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.

Available forms and strengths

• Cream
• Ointment
• Lotion

Side effects of Cyclocort Ointment

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 rash)
• Cushing's syndrome (weight gain, moon face, obesity)
• Hyperglycemia (frequent urination, thirst, and hunger)
• Glucosuria (excessive or sweet-smelling urine)
• Hypertension (headaches, vision disorders, nausea and vomiting)
• Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones, higher risk of fracture)
• Glaucoma or cataracts (blurred vision, increased eye pressure, eye pain)
• Skin thinning, stretch marks, wrinkling, dryness, visible blood vessels, skin discoloration
• Skin infection or secondary infection
• Increased body hair, hair loss
• Inflammation of hair follicles
• Worsening of skin condition
• Redness, rash, or hives
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Upper abdominal pain
• Prickly heat rash
• Steroid withdrawal syndrome (weight loss, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain)
• Acne
• Pustular psoriasis (raised bumps with pus under the skin), rare, in people with psoriasis

Warnings and precautions

• Apply only enough Cyclocort to cover the affected area. It can get into the bloodstream and cause side effects.
• Do not use bandages or other airtight coverings over the treated skin, and do not wrap it tightly.
• This medicine is more likely to cause side effects if used over large areas, on sensitive areas like the face, scalp, or skin folds (armpit, groin), on broken skin, or for a long time.
• Tell any doctor you see that you are using or have used steroid medicines before.
• Use with caution on the scalp, face, or skin folds such as the groin or armpit, since these areas are more likely to develop skin thinning.
• Avoid getting this medicine in or near the eyes or other mucous membranes. If contact happens, rinse with water. Absorption into the body may cause increased eye pressure (glaucoma) or cataracts.
• Children absorb larger amounts of this type of medicine through the skin and may be more likely to get side effects. It is not recommended for anyone under 18.
• Do not use this medicine on skin with bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral infections (such as herpes or chickenpox), tuberculosis or syphilis skin lesions, or a reaction after a recent vaccination.
• Do not use this medicine on acne, rosacea, rashes around the mouth, itchy skin that is not inflamed, or itchy skin around the anus or genitals.
• Using latex products like condoms or diaphragms at the same time as this medicine in the genital or anal area may make those products less reliable.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before using this medicine. This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit to the mother is greater than the 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, talk to your doctor first. Do not apply this medicine to the breast area, so your baby does not 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, talk to your doctor or pharmacist — you may need to use a smaller amount or use it less often.
• If you have liver problems, talk to your doctor or pharmacist — you may need to use a smaller amount or use it less often.
• No major direct interaction is expected with topical amcinonide and alcohol.
• Cyclocort does not normally affect 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 during 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.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, skin swelling, chills, fever, muscle aches, or flu-like symptoms with a rash.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you notice signs of Cushing's syndrome, such as weight gain, moon face, or obesity.
• Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, increased eye pressure, or eye pain, which could be signs of glaucoma or cataracts.
• Talk to your doctor if you notice signs of high blood sugar, such as frequent urination, thirst, and hunger, or sugar in your urine (excessive or sweet-smelling urine).
• Talk to your doctor if you get headaches, vision changes, nausea, or vomiting, which could be signs of high blood pressure.
• 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 acetonide
• Mometasone furoate
• Fluocinonide