Cosacort

Cosacort Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Coal tar has antipruritic, keratoplastic and keratolytic properties. It slows down excessive epidermal cell turnover and is often used topically either alone or in combination with other drugs (e.g. salicyclic acid, sulfur) in conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis.

Decrease bacterial growth.

Hydrocortisone is a naturally occurring corticosteroid, which causes profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, they modify body’s immune response to diverse stimuli. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate has the same metabolic and anti-inflammatory actions as hydrocortisone.

Hydrocortisone binds to the glucocorticoid receptor leading to downstream effects such as inhibition of phospholipase A2, NF-kappa B, other inflammatory transcription factors, and the promotion of anti-inflammatory genes.[A187463] Hydrocortisone has a wide therapeutic index and a moderate duration of action. Patients should stop taking the medication if irritation or sensitization occurs.

Salicylic acid has a potent keratolytic action and a slight antiseptic action when applied topically. It softens and destroys the stratum corneum by increasing endogenous hydration which causes the horny layer of the skin to swell, soften, and then desquamate. At high concentrations, salicylic acid has a caustic effect. It also possesses weak antifungal and antibacterial activity.

Salicylic acid treats acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up. This effect on skin cells also makes salicylic acid an active ingredient in several shampoos meant to treat dandruff. Use of straight salicylic solution may cause hyperpigmentation on unpretreated skin for those with darker skin types (Fitzpatrick phototypes IV, V, VI), as well as with the lack of use of a broad spectrum sunblock. Subsalicylate in combination with bismuth form the popular stomach relief aid known commonly as Pepto-Bismol. When combined the two key ingredients help control diarrhea, nausea, heartburn, and even gas. It is also very mildly anti-biotic.

Cosacort
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	Cosacort
Generic	Coal Tar + Hydrocortisone + Salicylic Acid
Weight	3%w/w, 1%w/w, 3%w/v, 1%w/v
Type	Ointment, Lotion
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer	Sulk Pharma
Available Country	Pakistan
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Coal Tar Cream is used for psoriasis. Soritar Cream has a keratoplastic and antipruritic effect in psoriasis.

Hydrocortisone is used for the use in the following conditions: Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, Acute adrenocortical insufficiency, Shock unresponsive to conventional therapy, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Hypercalcemia associated with cancer, Nonsuppurative thyroiditis, Rheumatic Disorders, Dermatologic Diseases (Allergic States, Severe seborrheic dermatitis, Severe psoriasis, Pemphigus, Severe erythema multiforme), Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions (Bronchial asthma, Contact dermatitis, Atopic dermatitis, Serum sickness, Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis, Drug hypersensitivity reactions, Urticarial transfusion reactions, Acute noninfectious laryngeal edema), Ophthalmic Diseases (Herpes zoster ophthalmicus, Iritis, iridocyclitis, Chorioretinitis, Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis, Optic neuritis), Gastrointestinal Diseases, Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy, Loeffler's syndrome, Aspiration pneumonitis, Hematologic Disorders (Acquired, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, Secondary thrombocytopenia, Erythroblastopenia), Neoplastic Diseases (Leukemias and lymphomas in adults, Acute leukemia of childhood), Edematous States, Acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis

6% Salicylic Acid: This topical preparations treat the following common scaly conditions:

Chronic atopic dermatitis
Lichen simplex
Psoriasis
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Ichthiosis

12% Salicylic Acid: This topical preparations treat the following common scaly conditions:

Warts (small excessive growths of skin caused by a type of virus. Warts often occur on the fingers or on the back of the hands).
Verruca (occurs only on the sole of the feet and can be painful. It often looks like a small white ring of skin with a black dot in the centre).
Corns and Calluses (are hard, thick pads of skin caused by pressure and friction. They usually occur on the feet due to poorly fitting shoes and can occur on the hands).

Cosacort is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Dandruff, Psoriasis, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Seborrhoeic Dermatitis of the ScalpAcute Gouty Arthritis, Acute Otitis Externa, Adrenal Insufficiency, Allergic Rhinitis (AR), Allergic corneal marginal ulcers, Anal Fissures, Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Anterior Segment Inflammation, Aspiration Pneumonitis, Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis (AD), Berylliosis, Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, Chorioretinitis, Choroiditis, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH), Congenital Hypoplastic Anemia, Corneal Inflammation, Crohn's Disease (CD), Dermatitis, Dermatitis exfoliative generalised, Dermatitis, Contact, Dermatomyositis, Dermatosis, Drug hypersensitivity reaction, Epicondylitis, Erythroblastopenia, Hemorrhoids, Herpes Labialis, Hypercalcemia of Malignancy, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Infection of the Fenestration Cavity, Infection of the Mastoidectomy Cavity, Iridocyclitis, Iritis, Itching caused by Hemorrhoids, Itching of the Anus, Leukemia, Acute, Leukemias, Loeffler's syndrome, Lymphomas NEC, Malignant Lymphomas, Mycosis Fungoides (MF), Ophthalmia, Sympathetic, Optic Neuritis, Pain caused by Hemorrhoids, Pemphigus, Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis, Primary adrenocortical insufficiency, Proctitis, Proteinuria, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rectal inflammations NEC, Rheumatic heart disease, unspecified, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile, Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis, Secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, Secondary thrombocytopenia, Serum Sickness, Severe Seborrheic Dermatitis, Skin Diseases, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Synovitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Trichinosis, Tuberculous Meningitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Acquired immune hemolytic anemia, Acute Bursitis, Acute Tenosynovitis, Acute rheumatic carditis, Cryptitis, Disseminated Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Fulminating Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Itching skin, Non-suppurative Thyroiditis, Severe Erythema multiforme, Severe Psoriasis, Subacute Bursitis, Superficial infection of the external auditory canal with inflammation, Symptomatic Sarcoidosis, Systemic Dermatomyositis, Varicella-zoster virus acute retinal necrosis, PalliativeAcne, Actinic Keratosis (AK), Alopecia Areata (AA), Atopic Dermatitis (AD), Blackheads, Chronic Eczema, Chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, Corns, Dandruff, Dermatitis, Contact, Dermatitis, Eczematous, Dermatitis, Eczematous of the scalp, Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), Foot Callus, Fungal skin infection, Furuncle, Hand Eczema, Hyperkeratosis, Hyperkeratosis follicularis et parafollicularis, Infections, Fungal, Infections, Fungal of the Skin Folds, Infections, Fungal of the face, Infections, Fungal of the feet, Infections, Fungal of the hand, Keratosis Palmaris et Plantaris, Lichen, Lichen Plano-Pilaris, Lichen Planus (LP), Lichen simplex chronicus, Molluscum Contagiosum, Musculoskeletal Pain, Neurodermatitis, Palmo-Plantar Pustulosis, Plantar Warts, Pruritus, Psoriasis, Psoriasis Vulgaris (Plaque Psoriasis), Psoriasis of the scalp, Rash, Ringworm of the Skin, Ringworm of the scalp, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Seborrhoeic Dermatitis of the Scalp, Skin Infections, Bacterial, Verrucous Psoriasis, Warts, Calluses, Corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses, Keratinization disorders, Scaling, Scaling of skin, Scalp seborrhea, Superficial Fungal skin infection, Keratolysis

How Cosacort works

Coal tar ointment is a keratolytic. It works by slowing bacterial growth and loosening and softening scales and crust.

The short term effects of corticosteroids are decreased vasodilation and permeability of capillaries, as well as decreased leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation.[A187463] Corticosteroids binding to the glucocorticoid receptor mediates changes in gene expression that lead to multiple downstream effects over hours to days.[A187463]

Glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil apoptosis and demargination; they inhibit phospholipase A2, which decreases the formation of arachidonic acid derivatives; they inhibit NF-Kappa B and other inflammatory transcription factors; they promote anti-inflammatory genes like interleukin-10.[A187463]

Lower doses of corticosteroids provide an anti-inflammatory effect, while higher doses are immunosuppressive.[A187463] High doses of glucocorticoids for an extended period bind to the mineralocorticoid receptor, raising sodium levels and decreasing potassium levels.[A187463]

Salicylic acid directly irreversibly inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 to decrease conversion of arachidonic acid to precursors of prostaglandins and thromboxanes. Salicylate's use in rheumatic diseases is due to it's analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Salicylic acid is a key ingredient in many skin-care products for the treatment of acne, psoriasis, calluses, corns, keratosis pilaris, and warts. Salicylic acid allows cells of the epidermis to more readily slough off. Because of its effect on skin cells, salicylic acid is used in several shampoos used to treat dandruff. Salicylic acid is also used as an active ingredient in gels which remove verrucas (plantar warts). Salicylic acid competitively inhibits oxidation of uridine-5-diphosphoglucose (UDPG) with nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD) and noncompetitively with UDPG. It also competitively inhibits the transferring of the glucuronyl group of uridine-5-phosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA) to a phenolic acceptor. Inhibition of mucopoly saccharide synthesis is likely responsible for the slowing of wound healing with salicylates.

Dosage

Cosacort dosage

Adults and children over 12 years of age: Ensure that the lesions are clean. Apply a thin layer of Coal Tar Cream two or three times a day on to the affected areas massage in gently and leave to dry.

For young children under 12 years of age and the elderly: The emulsion may be diluted by mixing it with a few drops of cooled freshly boiled in the palm of the hand.

Tablet: The initial dosage of Hydrocortisone Tablets may vary from 20 mg to 240 mg of hydrocortisone per day depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity, lower doses will generally suffice, while in selected patients higher initial doses may be required. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted. If after a reasonable period of time there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response, Hydrocortisone Tablets should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy.

It should be emphasized that dosage requirements are variable and must be individualized on the basis of the disease under treatment and the response of the patients.After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response. It should be kept in mind that constant monitoring is needed in regard to drug dosage. If, after long-term therapy the drug is to be stopped, it is recommended that it be withdrawn gradually, rather than abruptly.

Injection:

Adult: By IM injection or slow IV injection or infusion. The initial dose of Hydrocortisone sterile powder is 100 mg to 500 mg, depending on the severity of the condition. This dose may be repeated at intervals of 2, 4 or 6 hours as indicated by the patient's response and clinical condition.
Children: By slow IV injection, up to 1 year 25 mg, 1-5 years 50 mg, 6-12 years 100 mg.

Topical/Cutaneous (Adult)-

Hyperkeratotic and scaling skin conditions: As 1.8-3% preparation: Apply to affected area of the skin and/or scalp 1-4 times daily.

Acne: As 0.5-2% preparation: Apply thinly to affected area 1-3 times daily, reduce to once daily or every other day if dryness or peeling occur.

Warts and calluses:

As 12-40% plaster: Fit over the wart/callus for 48 hr, repeat process 48 hrly as needed until wart/callus is removed (up to 12 wk for warts or up to 14 days for calluses).
As 5-17% preparation in collodion-like vehicle: Apply a small amount to sufficiently cover wart/callus and allow to dry. Repeat 1-2 times daily until wart/callus is removed (up to 12 wk for warts or up to 14 days for calluses).
As 15% preparation in karaya gum-glycol plaster vehicle: Smoothen warts with emery board and place a drop of warm water prior to application. Apply the plaster in the evening and leave in place for at least 8 hr to be removed in the morning. Repeat process 24 hrly, if necessary up to 12 wk.

Side Effects

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Skin irritation, photosensitivity of the skin, Coal Tar Cream may cause acne-like eruptions of the skin. There is an increased risk of skin cancer in psoriatic patients treated with a combination of Coal Tar Cream and UVB radiation has been reported. However epidemiological studies of patients treated with Coal Tar Cream on its own are inconclusive. The risk of toxicity should be taken into account when considering the prescribing this product for the patient.

Hydrocortisone is generally well tolerated except in prolonged high doses. It may cause cardiac arrhythmia, esophageal candidiasis, menstrual irregularity, decreased carbohydrate & glucose tolerance, fluid retention, increased appetite, weight gain, euphoria, mood swings, depression, insomnia, acne etc.

An allergic reaction (shortness of breath, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, face or tongue or hives) or severe skin irritation.

Toxicity

LD50: Not available.

Data regarding acute overdoses of glucocorticoids are rare. Chronic high doses of glucocorticoids can lead to the development of cataract, glaucoma, hypertension, water retention, hyperlipidemia, peptic ulcer, pancreatitis, myopathy, osteoporosis, mood changes, psychosis, dermal atrophy, allergy, acne, hypertrichosis, immune suppression, decreased resistance to infection, moon face, hyperglycemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, metabolic acidosis, growth suppression, and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Overdose may be treated by adjusting the dose or stopping the corticosteroid as well as initiating symptomatic and supportive treatment.

Oral rat LD50: 891 mg/kg. Inhalation rat LC50: > 900 mg/m3/1hr. Irritation: skin rabbit: 500 mg/24H mild. Eye rabbit: 100 mg severe. Investigated a mutagen and reproductive effector.

Precaution

Hydrocortisone should be used with caution in patients with a history of peptic ulceration as it increases the incidence of peptic ulceration. This drug should be used with caution in patients with congestive heart failure, hypertension, glaucoma, diabetic mellitus and epilepsy.

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and other mucous membranes.

Interaction

Drug interaction of hydrocortisone has been reported with amphotericin B, potassium-depleting agents, macrolide antibiotics, warfarin, antidiabetics, isoniazid, digitalis glycosides, estrogens, barbiturates, phenytoin, carbamazepine, ketoconazole, aspirin etc.

Do not use other topical preparations on the treated area unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider. They may interfere with treatment or increase skin irritation.