Westcort

Westcort is a corticosteroid or steroid, which is used in topical form to treat the itching, redness, swelling and discomfort that is caused by various skin conditions.

This medicine is only available through a doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Cream
• Ointment

Before using Westcort, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

The advantages of a drug should always be weighed against its associated risks. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them. Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

Allergies:

If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.

Age specific problems:

The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Its safety and efficacy has not been established in children.

The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not been carried out, therefore its safety and efficacy have not been established in older age group. However geriatric population is more prone to having kidney, liver and heart problems.

Drug Interactions:

Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand certain drugs are allowed to be used together. So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking.

If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug. Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco.

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from, especially:

• Diabetes
• Cushing's syndrome (adrenal gland disorder)
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)
• Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
• Large sores, broken skin, or severe injury at the area of application
• Infection at or near the place of application

To use Westcort properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

This drug should only be used on skin only. Avoid getting it in your eyes, nose, mouth, or vagina. Also avoid using it on skin areas that have cuts, scrapes, or burns. If it does get on these areas, wash it off with water instantly.

This medication should only be used for the skin conditions that are being treated by your doctor. This topical preparation should not be used to treat certain skin infection. Therefore always use it after it is prescribed by your doctor.

This drug should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor in order to avoid adverse effects. Do not overuse or misuse this drug and do not use it longer than the recommended time. Read all the instructions mentioned in the medication guide.

Do not miss any dose. The dose of this drug varies according to the condition of each person. The number of doses per day, the time interval between the doses and the length of time you have to take the medicine depends on your condition individually and all these factors should only be determined by your healthcare provider.

Follow each and every instruction of your doctor and also read the label carefully.

In case you miss one dose of this drug, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your subsequent dose, you can then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Storage:

This medicine should be stored at room temperature within a closed container, away from heat, direct light and moisture. Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Do not store expired or outdated medicines or the medicine no longer needed.

Before using Westcort, there are some precautions you must take. Using this medicine for long time can lead to problem in your adrenal gland. Do not use cosmetics or other skin care products on the treated areas.

Check with your doctor right away if you have a skin rash, burning, stinging, swelling, or irritation on the skin.

Make sure that your child does not get this medicine in his mouth, nose or eyes.

Your doctor will monitor the response to this medicine and look for any side effects. Therefore, regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment. Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment.

Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Westcort to avoid unwanted potential side effects.

Every medicine has a propensity to cause unwanted effects along with its desired effects. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• stinging
• Skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
• cough or hoarseness
• Burning, itching, redness, skin rash, swelling, or soreness at the application site
• fever or chills
• dry skin
• lower back or side pain
• itching in the genital or other skin areas
• rash
• painful or difficult urination
• skin irritation
• rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
• itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• thinning of the skin with easy bruising, especially when used on facial or intertriginous areas
• redness and scaling around the mouth

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on this drug.

Also contact your healthcare professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug. If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.