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In this Article

• What is hydrocortisone rectal (Anusol Hc)?
• What are the possible side effects of hydrocortisone rectal?
• What is the most important information I should know about hydrocortisone rectal?
• What should I discuss with my health care provider before using hydrocortisone rectal?
• How should I use hydrocortisone rectal?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while using hydrocortisone rectal ?
• What other drugs will affect hydrocortisone rectal ?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my health care provider before using hydrocortisone rectal?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

• congestive heart failure;
• a history of tuberculosis;
• stomach ulcer or diverticulitis;
• a colostomy or ileostomy;
• fever or any type of infection;
• kidney disease;
• high blood pressure; or
• myasthenia gravis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use hydrocortisone rectal, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes. Steroid medicines may increase the glucose (sugar) levels in your blood or urine. You may also need to adjust the dose of your diabetes medications.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hydrocortisone rectal is harmful to an unborn baby. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether hydrocortisone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use hydrocortisone rectal?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Do not take hydrocortisone rectal by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.

This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You may need to use this medication for up to 8 weeks.

Wash your hands before and after using this medicine.

Try to empty your bowel and bladder just before using the hydrocortisone rectal cream or suppository.

Remove the outer wrapper from the suppository before inserting it. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands. The rectal suppository can stain clothing or other fabrics it comes into contact with.

For best results from the suppository, lie down after inserting it and hold in the suppository. The suppository will melt quickly once inserted and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in.

For best results from the cream, use only the applicator provided with the medication. Otherwise, follow the directions provided with your rectal cream.

Avoid using the bathroom for one to three hours after inserting the cream or suppository.

Apply the ointment to the rectum and surrounding skin of the rectal area as directed on the package label.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse after using this medicine for a few days.

Store the rectal cream at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the rectal suppositories at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not refrigerate or freeze them.