hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Mild topical corticosteroid combined with a tetracycline antibiotic
Usual role
Treating selected inflamed, secondarily infected skin conditions
Administration
For external use on cleansed affected skin; avoid the eyes and wash hands afterwards
What is hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride used for?
Licensed uses are inflamed skin conditions with secondary infection where anti-inflammatory and antibacterial treatment are appropriate.
Exudative or secondarily infected eczema, including atopic eczema
Secondarily infected primary irritant, allergic or seborrhoeic dermatitis
Secondarily infected insect-bite reactions
Exudative flexural intertrigo
How does hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride work?
Hydrocortisone reduces inflammatory and immune activity in the skin, easing redness, itching and swelling. Oxytetracycline inhibits susceptible bacteria but is generally ineffective against Pseudomonas and Proteus species.
How to take hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride
Use only on the skin and follow the prescription label. Clean the affected area, apply the ointment gently, replace the cap and wash your hands unless they are being treated.
Do not use in or around the eyes or for an eye infection.
Do not cover large treated areas or use an occlusive dressing unless specifically instructed.
Seek prescriber review if the condition does not improve or worsens.
hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Burning, itching, irritation or dryness at the application site
- Rash, folliculitis or acne-like eruptions
- Skin thinning, stretch marks or changes in skin colour
- Excess hair growth or prickly heat
- Worsening or secondary bacterial or fungal infection
Get urgent medical advice
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing or swelling of the face, lips or eyelids
- A severe or spreading allergic skin reaction
- Marked redness, burning, peeling or oozing extending beyond the treated area after prolonged use or stopping treatment
hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride in pregnancy
This combination ointment is contraindicated during pregnancy because oxytetracycline carries a theoretical risk to developing permanent teeth. Ask the prescriber for an alternative.
hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride while breastfeeding
This combination ointment is contraindicated while breastfeeding because of the theoretical dentition risk attributed to oxytetracycline. Advice for topical hydrocortisone alone does not override this product-specific restriction.
hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride interactions
No interactions with other medicines have been established. Tell the prescriber about other products applied to the same skin area.
Common questions about hydrocortisone + oxytetracycline hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can it be used for ordinary eczema?
It is intended for selected inflamed skin conditions with secondary bacterial infection, not uncomplicated eczema without infection.
Can it treat impetigo?
No. Primary bacterial infections such as impetigo are contraindications.
Can it be used on an infected insect bite?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.