Texacort

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 10/11/2021

Drug Summary

What Is Texacort?

Texacort (hydrocortisone solution) is a topical corticosteroid used to relieve inflammatory and itching manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions.

What Are Side Effects of Texacort?

Side effects of Texacort include:

  • burning,
  • itching,
  • irritation,
  • dryness,
  • infected hair follicles,
  • excess hair growth on the body
  • acne,
  • loss of skin pigmentation,
  • sores around the mouth,
  • allergic contact dermatitis,
  • breakdown of the skin,
  • secondary infection,
  • skin thinning,
  • stretch marks, and
  • sweat rash.

Dosage for Texacort

Topical corticosteroids such as Texacort are generally applied to the affected area as a thin film three to four times daily depending on the severity of the condition. Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or recalcitrant conditions. If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy instituted.

Texacort In Children

Pediatric patients may demonstrate greater susceptibility to topical corticosteroid induced HPA axis suppression and Cushing's syndrome than mature patients because of a larger skin surface area to body weight ratio.

Administration of topical corticosteroids to children should be limited to the least amount compatible with an effective therapeutic regimen. Chronic corticosteroid therapy may interfere with the growth and development of children.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Texacort?

Texacort may interact with other medicines.

Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Texacort During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Texacort; it is unknown how it would affect a fetus. Drugs of this class should not be used extensively on pregnant patients, in large amounts, or for prolonged periods of time. It is unknown if topical administration of Texacort could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable amounts in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Texacort (hydrocortisone solution) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Description for Texacort

Topical corticosteroids constitute a class of primarily synthetic steroids used as anti-inflammatory and antipruritic agents. Texacort Topical Solution contains hydrocortisone as the active corticosteroid, having the chemical formula of Pregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione, 11,17,21-trihydroxy-, (11 β)-. The molecular weight is 362.47. Its empirical formula is C21H30O5 and the structural formula is:

TEXACORT (hydrocortisone) Structural Formula Illustration

Each milliliter contains 25 mg of hydrocortisone (2.5% W/V) in a specially formulated vehicle containing alcohol (48.8% W/W), purified water, polysorbate 20 and isoceteth-20.

Uses for Texacort

Texacort Topical Solution 2.5% is indicated for the relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroids-responsive dermatoses.

Dosage for Texacort

Topical corticosteroids are generally applied to the affected area as a thin film for three or four times daily depending on the severity of the condition.

Occlusive dressings may be used for the management of psoriasis or recalcitrant conditions.

If an infection develops, the use of occlusive dressings should be discontinued and appropriate antimicrobial therapy instituted.

HOW SUPPLIED

Texacort Topical Solution 2.5% is available in a 1 fl. oz. plastic bottle with an applicator tip, NDC 0178-0455-01, and in a 3 mL sample packet, NDC 0178-0455-03.

Store at controlled room temperature 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F).

Distributed by: Mission Pharmacal Company, San Antonio, TX 78230-1355. Revised: Jan 2021

Side Effects for Texacort

The following local adverse reactions are reported infrequently with topical corticosteroids, but may occur more frequently with the use of occlusive dressings. These reactions are listed in an approximate decreasing order of occurrence: burning, itching, irritation, dryness, folliculitis, hypertrichosis, acneiform eruptions, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, maceration of the skin, secondary infection, skin atrophy, striae, miliaria.

Drug Interactions for Texacort

No Information Provided.

Warnings for Texacort

No Information Provided

Precautions for Texacort

General

Systemic absorption of topical corticosteroids has produced reversible hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, manifestations of Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia, and glucosuria in some patients.

Conditions which augment systemic absorption include the application of the more potent steroids, use over large surface areas, prolonged use, and the addition of occlusive dressings.

Therefore, patients receiving a large dose of a potent topical steroid applied to a large surface area or under an occlusive dressing should be evaluated periodically for evidence of HPA axis suppression by using the urinary free cortisol and ACTH stimulation tests. If HPA axis suppression is noted, an attempt should be made to withdraw the drug, to reduce the frequency of application, or to substitute a less potent steroid.

Recovery of HPA axis function is generally prompt and complete upon discontinuation of the drug. Infrequently, signs and symptoms of steroid withdrawal may occur, requiring supplemental systemic corticosteroids.

Children may absorb proportionally larger amounts of topical corticosteroids and thus be more susceptible to systemic toxicity. (See PRECAUTIONS - Pediatric Use.)

If irritation develops, topical corticosteroids should be discontinued and appropriate therapy institiuted.

In the presence of dermatological infections, the use of an appropriate antifungal or antibacterial agent should be instituted. If a favorable response does not-occur promptly, the corticosteroid should be discontinued until the infection has been adequately controlled.

Laboratory Tests

The following tests may be helpful in evaluating the HPA axis suppression:

  • Urinary free cortisol test
  • ACTH stimulation test

Carcinogenesis , Mutagenesis , And Impairment Of Fertility

Long term animal studies have not been performed to evaluate the carcinogenic potential or the effect on fertility of topical corticosteroids.

Studies to determine mutagenicity with prednisolone and hydrocortisone have revealed negative results.

Pregnancy Category C

Corticosteroids are generally teratogenic in laboratory animals when administered systemically at relatively low dosage levels. The more potent corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic after dermal application in laboratory animals. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women on teratogenic effects from topically applied corticosteroids. Therefore, topical corticosteroids should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Drugs of this class should not be used extensively on pregnant patients, in large amounts, or for prolonged periods of time.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk. Systemically administered corticosteroids are secreted into breast milk in quantities not likely to have a deleterious effect on the infant. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised when topical corticosteroids are administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Pediatric patients may demonstrate greater susceptibility to topical corticosteroid-induced HPA axis suppression and Cushing's syndrome than mature patients because of a larger skin surface area to body weight ratio.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression, Cushing's syndrome, and intracranial hypertension have been reported in children receiving topical corticosteroids. Manifestations of adrenal suppression in children include linear growth retardation, delayed weight gain, low plasma cortisol levels, and absence of response to ACTH stimulation. Manifestations of intracranial hypertension include bulging fontanelles, headaches, and bilateral papilledema.

Administration of topical corticosteroids to children should be limited to the least amount compatible with an effective therapeutic regimen. Chronic corticosteroid therapy may interfere with the growth and development of children.

Overdose Information for Texacort

Topically applied corticosteroids can be absorbed in sufficient amount to produce systemic effects (See PRECAUTIONS).

Contraindications for Texacort

Topical corticosteroids are contraindicated in those patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of the preparation.

Clinical Pharmacology for Texacort

Topical corticosteroids share anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and vasoconstrictive actions.

The mechanisms of anti-inflammatory activity of the topical corticosteroids is unclear. Various laboratory methods, including vasoconstrictor assays, are used to compare and predict potencies and/or clinical efficacies of the topical corticosteroids. There is some evidence to suggest that a recognizable correlation exists between vasoconstrictor potency and therapeutic efficacy in man.

Pharmacokinetics

The extent of percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids is determined by many factors including the vehicle, the integrity of the epidermal barrier, and the use of occlusive dressings.

Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed from normal intact skin. Inflammation and/or other disease processes in the skin increase percutaneous absorption. Occlusive dressings substantially increase the percutaneous absorption of topical corticosteroids. Thus, occlusive dressings may be a valuable therapeutic adjunct for treatment of resistant dermatoses. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Once absorbed through the skin, topical corticosteroids are handled through pharmacokinetic pathways similar to systemically administered corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are bound to plasma proteins in varying degrees. Corticosteroids are metabolized primarily in the liver and are then excreted by kidneys. Some of the topical corticosteroids and their metabolites are also excreted into the bile.

Patient Information for Texacort

Patients using topical corticosteroids should receive the following information and instructions:

  1. This medication is to be used as directed by the physician. It is for external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes.
  2. Patients should be advised not to use this medication for any disorder other than for which it was prescribed.
  3. The treated skin area should not be bandaged or otherwise covered or wrapped as to be occlusive unless directed by the physician.
  4. Patients should report any signs of local adverse reactions especially under occlusive dressing.
  5. Parents of pediatric patients should be advised not to use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants on a child being treated in the diaper area, as these garments may constitute occlusive dressings. child being treated in the diaper area, as these garments may constitute occlusive dressings.
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