Corticosteroids Low Potency (Topical)
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For topical corticosteroids,
the following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to corticosteroids. Also tell your health care professional
if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives,
or dyes.
Pregnancy - When used properly, these medicines have not been
shown to cause problems in humans. Studies on birth defects have not been
done in humans. However, studies in animals have shown that topical corticosteroids,
when applied to the skin in large amounts or used for a long time, could cause
birth defects.
Breast-feeding - Topical corticosteroids have not been reported
to cause problems in nursing babies when used properly. However, corticosteroids
should not be applied to the breasts just before nursing.
Children - Children and teenagers who must use this medicine
for a long time should be checked often by their doctor. Other, more potent
corticosteroids are absorbed through the skin and can affect growth or cause
other unwanted effects. Topical corticosteroids also can be absorbed if they
are applied to large areas of skin. These effects are less likely to occur
with the use of the lower potency corticosteroids. However, before using this
medicine in children, you should discuss its use with your child's doctor.
Older adults - This medicine is not expected to cause different
side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care
professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription
(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of
the skin.
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of topical corticosteroids. Make sure you tell
your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) - Too much use of corticosteroids
may cause a loss of control of diabetes by increasing blood and urine glucose.
However, this is not likely to happen when topical corticosteroids are used
for a short time
-
Infection or sores at the place of treatment or
-
Tuberculosis - Corticosteroids may make existing infections worse
or cause new infections
-
Skin conditions that cause thinning of skin with easy bruising - Corticosteroids
may make thinning of the skin worse
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