Hydrocortisone buccal tablets

Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (also called a corticosteroid). Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.

Hydrocortisone buccal tablets relieve the soreness of mouth ulcers and speed up healing.

The tablets stick gently to the inside of your mouth and release hydrocortisone as they dissolve.

Hydrocortisone buccal tablets are usually prescribed by your doctor or are available from pharmacies.

Due to a supply issue, hydrocortisone buccal tablets are not currently available on prescription or to buy at pharmacies. If you've been prescribed these tablets, speak to your doctor about suitable alternatives.

Most adults and children aged 1 month old and over can use hydrocortisone buccal tablets.

Children under 12 years old should only use these tablets if their doctor prescribes them.

Hydrocortisone buccal tablets are not suitable for some people. Tell your doctor before starting to use the medicine if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone or any other medicine
• cannot digest a sugar called lactose (lactose intolerance)
• have a mouth infection or injury
• wear dentures (false teeth)
• keep getting mouth ulcers or they get worse
• have ulcers on other parts of your body
• are pregnant or trying to get pregnant

Do not use hydrocortisone buccal tablets if your dentures are making your mouth sore or you think you might have a mouth injury or infection. They could make the problem worse. It's best to see a doctor or dentist.

Each hydrocortisone buccal tablet contains 2.5mg of hydrocortisone.

It's usual to use 4 tablets a day for up to 5 days. Try to leave a gap of 3 to 4 hours between tablets.

If the ulcer heals in less than 5 days, you can stop using the tablets.

See your doctor if the ulcer has not healed after 5 days, or if it heals but comes back again.

Put the buccal tablet in your mouth against the ulcer and let it dissolve there.

Do not chew or swallow the tablet. If you do this, the tablet will not work and you may get side effects.

If you have more than 1 mouth ulcer, move the tablet around your mouth, sharing it between each ulcer. Do not use more than 1 tablet at a time and do not use more than 4 in a day.

If you forget a tablet, use it as soon as you remember, unless it's less than an hour until the next one is due. In this case, skip the missed tablet and use your next one at the usual time.

Never use 2 doses at the same time. Never have an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicines.

Buccal tablets contain a very low dose of hydrocortisone. Using too many is unlikely to harm you. Talk to a pharmacist if you're worried.

Most people do not have any side effects when they use hydrocortisone buccal tablets for a few days.

Some people feel a sharp pain while the tablet dissolves on the ulcer. This usually only lasts for a few minutes and stops happening after you've been using the tablets for a few days.

It may help if you avoid spicy or salty foods and acidic drinks (like fruit juice) while you're using this medicine. It may also help if you drink cold drinks through a straw. Do not use a straw for hot drinks as you could burn yourself.

Buccal tablets contain a very small dose of hydrocortisone so it's rare to have a serious side effect.

Side effects in your mouth

If you have a mouth infection, using hydrocortisone buccal tablets can make it worse and cause it to spread.

The tablets can also occasionally cause oral thrush. This is a fungal infection which causes soreness and white patches in the mouth. To help prevent oral thrush, rinse your mouth out with cold water or a mouthwash after the buccal tablet has fully dissolved.

Tell your doctor straight away if your mouth becomes red and sore or if you develop white furry patches on your tongue or inside your mouth. These can be signs of a mouth infection.

Side effects in the rest of your body

Very rarely, hydrocortisone from buccal tablets gets into the bloodstream and can cause side effects in other parts of your body.

Call a doctor or call 111 now if:

• you're being sick (vomiting), you feel very tired or dizzy, you pass out or you have a very upset stomach, muscle weakness, mood changes, loss of appetite or weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
• you're confused, sleepy, more hungry or thirsty than usual, peeing more than usual, breathing quickly or have breath that smells like fruit – these can be signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)

Serious allergic reaction

It happens rarely, but it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a hydrocortisone buccal tablet.

Call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

These are not all the side effects of hydrocortisone buccal tablets. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.

Hydrocortisone buccal tablets can be used in pregnancy.

They contain a very low dose of hydrocortisone. Only very small amounts will get into your blood and this will not harm your baby.

You can use hydrocortisone buccal tablets if you're breastfeeding, but only use them for a few days, until the ulcer has healed.

It's not known how much passes into breast milk, but it's likely to be a tiny amount, and your baby will not be able to absorb a lot of it into their body. It's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, is not putting on weight as you would expect, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

There's no evidence to suggest that using hydrocortisone buccal tablets will affect fertility in either men or women.

Tell your doctor if you're:

• trying to get pregnant
• pregnant
• breastfeeding

Taking other medicines, either prescribed or ones you buy from a pharmacy or shop, will not affect the way hydrocortisone buccal tablets work.

There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with hydrocortisone buccal tablets. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.