iodoquinol / hydrocortisone / aloe

Generic Alcortin A

Used for Eczema, Ringworm, Skin Infection

Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe is a gel that's applied on the skin to treat a variety of skin conditions, including skin infections and inflammation. But you'll need to be careful when using it because it can stain your skin, hair, and certain fabrics.

Reviewed by:

Yen Nguyen, PharmD

Allison Gourley, PharmD

Last reviewed on September 28, 2022

What is Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe?

What is Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe used for?

Bacterial or fungal skin infections
Inflammatory skin conditions (e.g., eczema, dermatitis)

How Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe works

Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe is a topical gel that contains a combination of three products:

Iodoquinol is an antifungal and antibacterial medication that can fight against infections on the skin.
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that can relieve swelling and itching.
Aloe is natural product that can soothe and heal the skin.

These three products can be used together to treat a variety of skin conditions.

Are you looking for information on Vytone (hydrocortisone / iodoquinol) instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Alcortin A(brand no longer available)
Drug Class	Corticosteroid / Anti-infective
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	Lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Alcortin A(brand no longer available)

Drug Class

Corticosteroid / Anti-infective

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

Lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Side effects of Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Burning
Itching
Skin Irritation
Dry skin

Less Common Side Effects

Extra hair growth
Acne
Lightening of the skin
Red rash around mouth
Thinning of the skin
Stretch marks
Heat rash

Source: DailyMed

The following Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Burning, itching, crusting, or peeling of treated skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

Change in skin color
Fragile or thinning skin that bruises easily
Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness
Small, red, pus-filled bumps on skin around hair follicles
Unexpected hair growth at application site

Get your GoodRx coupon

Avg retail price

$7323.99(Save 81.71%)

$1339.83

See prices

Pros and cons of Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe

Pros

Three products combined into one gel
Can treat a variety of skin problems
Can fight both fungus and bacteria on the skin

Cons

Not recommended for young children
Has to be applied multiple times a day
Covering medicated area with bandage or dressing can cause more side effects

Pharmacist tips for Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe

Wash your hands before and after using iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe. Don't touch your clothing or other parts of your skin with this medication since it can cause staining.
Only apply iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe on the outside of the skin. Don't put this medication in your eyes, nose, or mouth. Be extra careful if you're applying this to your face.
If you experience irritation during your treatment with iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe, stop using this medication and ask your provider for a different treatment.
Keep iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe in a safe place and out of reach of children. This medication can cause harm to children if not handled properly.

Common questions about Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe

Yes, Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe might stain the skin, hair, and fabric. Only apply this medication on the affected area and avoid getting it on your clothing or bedding.

It's not recommended to use Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe for a long time because it can cause an overgrowth of other bacteria that this medication can't treat. This can lead to an infection that would require a different treatment. Talk to your provider about how long you should use Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe to treat your skin condition.

No, Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe is only available through a prescription from your provider. Speak to your provider to see if this medication is right for you.

No. Don't cover the medicated area with a bandage or dressing because it can make your body absorb more Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe. When your body absorbs more medication than it should, it can raise your risk of side effects like skin irritation.

It's not known if Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe can cause harm to your baby. Speak to your provider before using this medication if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. They can help you determine if this medication is safe for you and your baby.

Both Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe and Vytone contain hydrocortisone and iodoquinol. The biggest difference is that Iodoquinol/Hydrocortisone/Aloe also contains aloe, another ingredient that helps in wound healing. But they both treat skin infections and inflammation. Discuss with your provider about the product that's right for you.

Risks and warnings for Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe

Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Skin irritation

Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe can cause skin irritation after you apply it. If so, you'll need to stop using the medication and notify your provider. You might need to get treated and stop using iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe altogether.

Higher risk of harm in children

Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe shouldn't be used on infants or in areas under diapers or dressings that are sealed off. Children might absorb more of the hydrocortisone component compared to adults, which can lead to more side effects. Make sure you don't use tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants because it will seal off the treated area and cause the child to absorb more medication.

Interference with lab results

Iodoquinol, an ingredient in iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe, might absorb through your skin and interfere with your thyroid tests. If you need to get labs to check your thyroid, wait at least a month after stopping iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe to get it done. Iodoquinol/hydrocortisone/aloe can also interfere with tests for phenylketonuria (PKU). If iodoquinol is present, the test for PKU can give you a false positive, meaning it will show that you have PKU when you might not.