Hydrocyclin (Hidrocyclin) ointment 10 mg/g + 30 mg/g – hydrocortisone and oxytetracycline for infected eczema

Hydrocyclin ointment (often searched as “Hidrocyclin”) contains two active substances: hydrocortisone, a mild corticosteroid that calms skin inflammation caused by allergy, infection or injury, and oxytetracycline, a tetracycline antibiotic active against bacteria and some other micro-organisms.

In Serbia it is authorised as Hydrocyclin®, 10 mg/g + 30 mg/g, ointment (Galenika a.d. Beograd), in a 20 g tube. It is used on the skin for weeping or secondarily infected inflammatory changes – eczema, contact, allergic and seborrhoeic dermatitis and infected insect bites.

What is Hydrocyclin ointment used for and how is it applied correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Hydrocyclin ointment used for?

According to the package leaflet and the summary of product characteristics, Hydrocyclin ointment is used to treat:

• inflammatory skin changes – exudative (weeping) and secondarily infected eczema, including atopic eczema;
• primary contact dermatitis (e.g. after contact with cosmetics, plants or medicines);
• allergic and seborrhoeic dermatitis;
• secondarily infected skin changes after insect bites.

For weeping intertrigo in skin folds, the ointment may be used for up to seven days according to the summary of product characteristics. Oxytetracycline is mostly ineffective against Pseudomonas and Proteus bacteria, so the doctor may identify the causative organism if needed.

How is it applied and dosed?

• Carefully clean the affected skin, then apply a thin layer of ointment 2 to 4 times a day; if infection is present, the ointment may be applied with sterile gauze.
• Do not stop using it as soon as you notice the first signs of improvement – follow your doctor’s instructions.
• If there is no improvement 7 days after starting treatment, consult your doctor (longer use without improvement may mask spreading infection).
• The medicine is for external use on the skin only; it is not used to treat eye infections.
• If it is to be applied to large areas of skin or under an occlusive (closed) dressing, consult your doctor first, as absorption of the corticosteroid increases.

Special patient groups

• Children: the medicine must not be used in infants and children until the permanent teeth have fully erupted, because of the risk of damage to permanent teeth.
• Elderly: no special precautions.
• Impaired kidney or liver function: no special precautions.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

Do not use Hydrocyclin ointment:

• if you are allergic to hydrocortisone, oxytetracycline hydrochloride or any of the excipients (including lanolin);
• on primary bacterial skin infections – impetigo (blisters and yellow crusts), pyoderma (purulent skin infections) and furunculosis (boils);
• if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breast-feeding;
• in infants and children during the eruption of permanent teeth.

Warnings and precautions

• Prolonged or repeated use may increase the risk of hypersensitivity (contact sensitisation) and should be avoided.
• The antibiotic may lead to overgrowth of resistant micro-organisms, especially Candida and staphylococci – if an infection with non-susceptible bacteria or fungi develops during treatment, use is stopped.
• If irritation occurs, stop using the medicine.
• The lanolin in the ointment may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

No interactions with other medicines have been established, and Hydrocyclin is not expected to affect other medicines you take. Still, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you use, especially other skin preparations applied to the same area.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Use of the medicine is contraindicated during pregnancy and breast-feeding, because of the possible risk of damage to the child’s permanent teeth. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy or are breast-feeding, ask your doctor for another treatment.

Driving and using machines

The medicine is not expected to affect the ability to drive and use machines.

Possible side effects

Hydrocortisone and oxytetracycline are well tolerated by epithelial tissue, and allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis, are rare. The following may occur at the application site:

• burning, itching, irritation, dry skin, rash or an allergic reaction;
• acne, thinning or softening of the skin, stretch marks (red lines on the skin);
• inflammation of hair roots (folliculitis), increased hair growth, white skin patches (hypopigmentation), inflammation of the skin around the mouth, heat rash;
• spreading or worsening of infection – secondary bacterial or fungal infections have been reported with steroid-antibiotic combinations.

These effects usually disappear after stopping treatment; if they persist, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose / accidental swallowing: the ointment is for external use only; if swallowed accidentally, tell your doctor immediately or contact the nearest emergency service.
• Missed application: simply continue treatment as before; do not apply a double amount to make up for it.
• Stopping treatment: stopping suddenly does not cause unwanted effects.

Related information

For caring for eczema-prone skin between and after treatments, see also the category Eczema and psoriasis – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed for you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substances: 1 g of ointment contains 10 mg hydrocortisone and 30 mg oxytetracycline hydrochloride.
• Excipients: hard paraffin; light liquid paraffin; lanolin; white soft paraffin.
• Appearance and pack: homogeneous yellow ointment; closed-neck aluminium tube with a plastic cap with piercing spike, in a carton with 20 g of ointment and a leaflet.
• Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer: Galenika a.d. Beograd, Batajnički drum b.b., Belgrade; by an ALIMS decision of 30 January 2023, Bosnalijek d.d., Jukićeva 53, Sarajevo is also registered as manufacturer.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C in the original package to protect from light and moisture.
• Shelf life before opening: 3 years; after first opening: 30 days below 25 °C, in the original package.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Frequently asked questions

Are Hidrocyclin and Hydrocyclin the same medicine?

Yes. The authorised name is Hydrocyclin® ointment (hydrocortisone 10 mg/g + oxytetracycline 30 mg/g, Galenika); “Hidrocyclin” is a common spelling in searches.

How long may I use Hydrocyclin ointment?

For as long as your doctor has prescribed. If there is no improvement after 7 days, see your doctor – longer use without effect is not recommended because the corticosteroid may mask spreading infection. Prolonged and repeated use increases the risk of hypersensitivity.

Can Hydrocyclin be used in children or during pregnancy?

No. The medicine is contraindicated in infants and children until the permanent teeth have erupted, as well as during pregnancy and breast-feeding, because of the risk of damage to permanent teeth.

Can the ointment be applied to the eye or eyelid?

No. Hydrocyclin is intended for the skin only and is not used to treat eye infections; take care that the ointment does not get into the eyes.

Sources

• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics, Hydrocyclin®, 10 mg/g + 30 mg/g, ointment (SmPC, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Package leaflet, Hydrocyclin®, 10 mg/g + 30 mg/g, ointment (PIL, Serbian)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.