INN monograph
Salicylic Acid/ Hydrocortisone
Corticosteroid · POM
Source-linked · Updated 03 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; RxNorm (NLM RxNav); PubChem
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Use on rosacea acne, peri-oral dermatitis, scabies, leg ulcers, tuberculous, untreated viral, bacterial or fungal infections, reaction to smallpox vaccination, first three months of pregnancy, continous prophylactic use.
Precautions
- Limit use in children or on face to maximum of 5 days.
- It should be withdrawn gradually following prolonged therapy.
- Unless fully unavoidable, potent corticosteroids should not be used on the face as they may precipitate a rosacea-like disorder and aggravate any pre-existing rosacea, avoid use in an occluded area, near the eye, use in the presence of skin infections without concomitant use of anti-microbial, children under 1yr, on weeping foci.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Directions wet face, apply to hand, massage face gently. Rinse well. Use up to twice daily. avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, flush thoroughly with water.
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Fluid retention/hypertension — care in renal disease.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Prednisone needs hepatic activation to prednisolone.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Fixed-dose/multi-ingredient product.
- Clinical details partially inherited from component monographs: Salicylic Acid /Flumetasone Pivalate, Hydrocortisone / Neomycin ear /eye drop.
- Confirm combination SmPC for exact dosing.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Local irritation e.g burning sensation and itching, erythema rare, dryness of the skin, aggravation of concurrent untreated infections, thinning of the skin (this may be reversible), loss of skin elasticity, folliculitis, change in skin pigmentation, telangiectasia, purpura and steroid acne, increased growth of hair, severe pituitary-adrenal axis suppression and hypercotism, cushoid state, growth retardation, benign intra-cranial hypertension.
Use
Indications
- Corticosteroid responsive inflammatory skin diseases especially where there is hyperkeratosis e.g. eczema, psoriasis vulgaris and localized neurodermatitis.
- Clinical selection for Salicylic Acid/ Hydrocortisone should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Corticosteroid.
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
Corticosteroids bind intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to suppress inflammatory cytokines, inhibit phospholipase A2 via lipocortins, reduce leukocyte migration and stabilise membranes — potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.
Full mechanism text
Corticosteroids bind intracellular glucocorticoid receptors, modulating gene transcription to suppress inflammatory cytokines, inhibit phospholipase A2 via lipocortins, reduce leukocyte migration and stabilise membranes — potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Mineralocorticoid activity varies by agent.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Hours–days |
|---|---|
| Duration | Agent and route dependent |
| Route | ORAL / IV / IM / INHALED / TOPICAL / NASAL / OPHTHALMIC |
Full PK/PD text
Systemic agents: good absorption, hepatic metabolism, variable half-lives (dexamethasone long). Inhaled/topical: designed to minimise systemic exposure but high-dose/long duration still risks adrenal suppression.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| No brands linked yet. | |||
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
[Salicylic Acid] Used when maternal benefit clear; prefer agents with better obstetric data (e.g. prednisolone). Document risk–benefit. [Hydrocortisone] Used when maternal benefit clear; prefer agents with better obstetric data (e.g. prednisolone). Document risk–benefit.
Lactation
[Salicylic Acid] [From component Clioquinol / Dexamethasone] [From component Dexamethasone] Nursing Mothers Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from corticosteroids, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother. [Hydrocortisone] Low-dose systemic often compatible; time feeds if high dose — agent-specific.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; RxNorm (NLM RxNav); PubChem
Clinical review date not recorded.
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.