Hydrocortisone buccal tablets stick gently to the inside of your mouth and release hydrocortisone as they dissolve.
They relieve the soreness of mouth ulcers and speed up healing.
Hydrocortisone buccal tablets are available on prescription. You can also buy them from pharmacies.
Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (or corticosteroid). Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.
Other types of hydrocortisone
There are different types of hydrocortisone, including tablets you swallow, skin treatments and injections.
Find out more about other ways you can use hydrocortisone to treat different health problems.
- You put hydrocortisone buccal tablets directly on top of your mouth ulcer. It's usual to use 4 hydrocortisone buccal tablets a day for up to 5 days.
- Leave the tablet to dissolve slowly against the ulcer. If you swallow or suck buccal tablets they will not work.
- If you have more than 1 ulcer, move the tablet around your mouth so the medicine can dissolve on each ulcer. Do not use more than 1 tablet at a time and do not use more than 4 in a day.
- Do not use buccal tablets for mouth ulcers which are caused by dentures (false teeth), an injury or an infection – they could make these ulcers worse.
Hydrocortisone buccal tablets can be used by most adults and children aged 1 month and over.
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 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
If your dentures are making your mouth sore or you think you might have a mouth injury or infection, do not use hydrocortisone buccal tablets. They could make the problem worse. It's best to see a doctor or dentist.
Dosage
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.
How to use buccal tablets
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.
What if I forget a dose?
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 just skip the missed dose and go back to your usual routine.
What if I use too many?
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, 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.
Serious side effects
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
Occasionally, hydrocortisone from buccal tablets gets into the bloodstream and can cause side effects in other parts of your body.
Contact a doctor if:
- you are being sick (vomiting), feel very tired or dizzy, pass out or have a very upset stomach, muscle weakness, mood changes, loss of appetite or weight loss – these can be signs of adrenal gland problems
- you are 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 diabetes or complications of diabetes
Serious allergic reaction
It's extremely rare to have an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a hydrocortisone buccal tablet but if this happens to you, contact a doctor straight away.
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 and breastfeeding.
Only very small amounts will get into your blood and reach your baby or breastmilk.
Important
For safety, tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.
For more information about using hydrocortisone during pregnancy, read this leaflet on steroids on the Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy (BUMPs) website.
Taking other medicines, either prescribed or ones you buy from a pharmacy or shop, will not affect the way hydrocortisone buccal tablets work.
Mixing hydrocortisone buccal tablets with herbal remedies and supplements
There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with hydrocortisone buccal tablets. They are not tested in the same way as other medicines.