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Hydrocortisone Acetate

Hydrocortisone Acetate 12 Suppository

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What is Hydrocortisone Acetate?

Anucort-HC is a steroid that is used to treats inflammation of the rectum and anus. It may also be used for ulcerative colitis and similar conditions. Hydrocortisone topical is the generic version of Anucort-HC. You can use our Singlecare savings offer to get an average Anucort-HC discount of up to 80% off of the retail price at participating local pharmacies

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What is Hydrocortisone Acetate ?

Anucort-HC is a steroid that is used to treats inflammation of the rectum and anus. It may also be used for ulcerative colitis and similar conditions. Hydrocortisone topical is the generic version of Anucort-HC. You can use our Singlecare savings offer to get an average Anucort-HC discount of up to 80% off of the retail price at participating local pharmacies
  • Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss
  • Eye pain, vision changes
  • Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, uneven heartbeat
  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
  • Depression, mood swings, trouble sleeping, usual thoughts, feelings, or behavior
  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, cirrhosis, osteoporosis, thyroid problems, or myasthenia gravis. Tell your doctor if you have digestive problems, including ulcer, colitis, or diverticulitis.
  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Cataracts or glaucomaHigh blood pressureIncreased risk for osteoporosisAdrenal gland problems
  • This medicine may cause you to get infections more easily. Tell your doctor if you have any type of infection before you start treatment. Avoid people who are sick or have infections. If you are exposed to chickenpox or measles, tell your doctor right away.
  • This medicine may delay growth in children. If you think your child is not growing properly while using this medicine, talk with your doctor.
  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
What is hydrocortisone acetate used for?
Hydrocortisone acetate is a corticosteroid used to relieve inflammation and itching. It is FDA-approved for anorectal conditions such as inflamed hemorrhoids, proctitis, cryptitis, and itching around the anus (pruritus ani), and rectal forms are used as an add-on treatment for chronic ulcerative colitis and proctitis. Topical cream and ointment forms treat steroid-responsive skin conditions and ease itching, redness, and swelling of the skin, vulva, or perianal area.
Is hydrocortisone acetate the same as hydrocortisone?
They are closely related. Hydrocortisone acetate is the acetate ester of hydrocortisone, and both deliver the same active corticosteroid to the tissue. The main practical difference is the specific product and formulation your prescription is written for. If you are unsure whether your medicine is hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone acetate, your pharmacist can confirm what you were given.
How long can you use hydrocortisone acetate suppositories?
Use them only as directed by your provider and for the shortest time needed to control symptoms. Prolonged or extensive corticosteroid use can thin the skin and allow enough of the drug to be absorbed to affect the body. If your symptoms do not improve within the time your provider or the label specifies, or if bleeding or irritation continues, contact your provider rather than continuing on your own.
Is hydrocortisone acetate available over the counter?
Lower-strength hydrocortisone acetate products are available over the counter for anti-itch and minor skin uses, while higher strengths and certain anorectal formulations require a prescription. If you are treating hemorrhoids or a skin condition and are not sure which strength you need, ask your pharmacist or provider.
What are the side effects of hydrocortisone acetate?
Common local side effects include burning, itching, irritation, or dryness where it is applied. Prolonged or heavy use can cause skin thinning (atrophy) and stretch marks (striae), and enough steroid can be absorbed to affect the body, potentially leading to reversible adrenal (HPA-axis) suppression, higher blood sugar, and Cushingoid effects. Children are more sensitive because of their larger skin-surface-to-body-weight ratio. Stop using it and contact your provider if you develop irritation, an allergic reaction, or signs of infection.
How much does Hydrocortisone Acetate cost without insurance?
The price of Hydrocortisone Acetate without insurance varies by pharmacy, dosage, and quantity. Rx.com compares cash prices at more than 60,000 US pharmacies so you can find the lowest price near you.
What are the common side effects of Hydrocortisone Acetate?
Common side effects of Hydrocortisone Acetate may include: Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, Eye pain, vision changes, Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, uneven heartbeat, Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing, Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet. This is not a complete list — consult your pharmacist or doctor for full side effect information.
Is there a generic version of Hydrocortisone Acetate?
Generic versions may be available for Hydrocortisone Acetate. Generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and are typically 80–90% cheaper. Search Hydrocortisone Acetate on Rx.com to compare generic and brand prices at pharmacies near you.
What is the cheapest pharmacy for Hydrocortisone Acetate?
The cheapest pharmacy for Hydrocortisone Acetate depends on your location and dosage. Rx.com compares prices at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and thousands of independent pharmacies. Enter your ZIP code on Rx.com to find the lowest price for Hydrocortisone Acetate near you.

Hydrocortisone Acetate Coupons & Prices

Hydrocortisone Acetate 12 Suppository

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Hydrocortisone Acetate Box — prescription drug image
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Hydrocortisone Acetate 12 suppository (1)
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Compounded GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved and are prepared by state-licensed compounding pharmacies. They are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or equivalent to any brand-name medication or manufacturer. Prescription required; eligibility is determined by a licensed provider. Prices are estimates and may vary.

Looking for a hydrocortisone acetate coupon? Hydrocortisone acetate is a low-potency corticosteroid used to relieve inflammation and itching, most often from hemorrhoids and other anorectal conditions, as well as certain skin irritations. It is available as an FDA-approved generic, so it is already one of the more affordable prescription options, but the cash price can still vary widely from one pharmacy to the next. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price, and Rx.com will compare discounts across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can pick up your prescription for less.

What is hydrocortisone acetate and how does it work?

Hydrocortisone acetate is a corticosteroid (glucocorticoid) that reduces inflammation, redness, swelling, and itching. As a low-potency topical and anorectal steroid, it is FDA-approved to relieve inflammatory and itchy (pruritic) conditions of the anorectum, including inflamed hemorrhoids, post-irradiation (factitial) proctitis, cryptitis, and pruritus ani (itching around the anus). Rectal suppository, foam, and enema formulations are also used as adjunctive treatment of chronic ulcerative colitis and proctitis.

The topical cream and ointment forms treat corticosteroid-responsive skin conditions (dermatoses) and ease itching, redness, and swelling of the skin, vulva, or perianal area. It comes in prescription strengths and, at lower concentrations, in over-the-counter products. It relieves symptoms but does not cure the underlying cause, so follow your provider's or the label's directions on how much to use and for how long.

Hydrocortisone acetate cost and savings without insurance

Because hydrocortisone acetate is an established generic, it is typically inexpensive compared with brand-name steroids, and there is no manufacturer copay savings card for the generic. That does not mean every pharmacy charges the same cash price. Prices for the exact same suppository, cream, foam, or enema can differ substantially between nearby pharmacies, which is why comparing before you fill can make a real difference.

Rx.com checks discount prices across more than 60,000 U.S. pharmacies. Enter your ZIP above to see today's price at pharmacies near you, then show the free Rx.com coupon at the counter. There is no insurance required, and the coupon can be worth checking even if you do have coverage, since the cash discount is sometimes lower than a copay.

Related products and alternatives

Hydrocortisone acetate is the acetate ester of hydrocortisone; both deliver hydrocortisone to the tissue, and your prescription may be written for either depending on the formulation. Branded anorectal versions of hydrocortisone acetate include Anusol-HC and Anucort-HC suppositories and Cortifoam rectal foam.

For hemorrhoidal itching, some products combine a steroid with a local anesthetic, such as pramoxine-hydrocortisone and Proctofoam-HC. For skin conditions, providers sometimes choose a different-potency corticosteroid such as triamcinolone or mometasone. Only your prescriber can decide which product and strength is right for you; you can compare the cash price of each with the ZIP search above.

Safety, side effects, and precautions

Hydrocortisone acetate has no boxed warning. Do not use it for anorectal symptoms without an adequate exam by your provider, since bleeding and other symptoms can have serious causes. Stop using it and check with your provider if irritation, an allergic reaction (sensitization), or a new infection develops. It should not be used on infected or open lesions unless an anti-infective is also being used, and it is not for use in the eye. It is contraindicated if you are allergic to hydrocortisone acetate or any ingredient in the product.

Prolonged or extensive use can thin the skin (atrophy), cause stretch marks (striae), and allow enough steroid to be absorbed to affect the body, which may lead to reversible suppression of the HPA axis, higher blood sugar, and Cushingoid effects. Children are more sensitive because they have more skin surface relative to body weight, and occlusive dressings increase absorption. In pregnancy, use only if clearly needed. This information is not medical advice; talk with your provider or pharmacist about your specific situation.

Sources & accuracy

This Hydrocortisone Acetate information was written and reviewed against authoritative U.S. medical sources — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), DailyMed, and FDA prescribing information — and checked for accuracy. It is provided for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Verify the official label: Hydrocortisone Acetate on DailyMed (FDA)

Reviewed against FDA labeling · Last reviewed July 2026

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Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.


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