Comprehensive medication guide to Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$50 copay if covered; most insurance plans including Medicare Part D do NOT cover this drug because it is FDA-unapproved. Some commercial plans may cover the generic with prior authorization at Tier 2–3.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$45–$202 for generic 1%/1% cream with GoodRx coupon; branded Vytone runs approximately $278–$839 with GoodRx; Alcortin A gel can exceed $1,300 with discounts for a single carton.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol is a prescription topical combination medication used to treat inflammatory skin conditions complicated by bacterial or fungal infection. It contains two active ingredients: hydrocortisone, a low-potency corticosteroid that reduces redness and itching, and iodoquinol, a broad-spectrum antifungal and antibacterial agent.
Brand names include Alcortin, Alcortin A, Vytone, Dermazene, Corti-Sav, and Iodoquimez. It is available as a cream (1%/1% or 1.9%/1% formulations) and as a gel with aloe vera (Alcortin A, 2%/1%). The combination is used for conditions where both inflammation and infection must be treated simultaneously.
Important note: The FDA has not formally found Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol to be safe and effective. The drug is marketed under FDA enforcement discretion and is classified as only "possibly" effective by the National Research Council.
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Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol works through two complementary mechanisms targeting the dual nature of many skin conditions.
Hydrocortisone is a low-potency topical corticosteroid that suppresses local inflammatory mediators (cytokines, prostaglandins), narrows blood vessels to reduce redness and swelling, and interrupts the itch-scratch cycle that worsens skin conditions. It belongs to Class VII (mildest potency) of topical corticosteroids.
Iodoquinol is a halogenated 8-hydroxyquinoline with broad-spectrum antifungal and antibacterial properties. It is believed to work by chelating essential trace metals (iron, copper, zinc) at the surface of microbial cells, disrupting their growth and enzymatic activity. This dual antimicrobial coverage helps treat both fungal and bacterial colonization of inflamed skin.
1% hydrocortisone / 1% iodoquinol — cream
Generic formulation; most widely available; apply 3-4 times daily to affected area
1.9% hydrocortisone acetate / 1% iodoquinol — cream
Vytone brand; slightly higher hydrocortisone concentration in acetate form; sold as individual packets
2% hydrocortisone / 1% iodoquinol — gel with aloe vera
Alcortin A brand; highest hydrocortisone concentration; gel vehicle with aloe; most expensive formulation
There is no active FDA shortage for Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol as of 2026. However, patients frequently encounter difficulty finding it at their local pharmacy. This is because the drug's unapproved FDA status leads most insurance plans to exclude it from their formularies, which in turn reduces prescription volumes, which leads pharmacies to stock it inconsistently or only on-demand.
Generic hydrocortisone/iodoquinol 1%/1% cream is the most accessible formulation — most major chain pharmacies can order it within 1–2 business days from their distributor. Branded versions (Alcortin A, Vytone) have significantly more limited availability and much higher prices, sometimes requiring specialty pharmacy fulfillment.
Use medfinder to locate which pharmacies near you currently have Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol in stock. medfinder calls pharmacies on your behalf and texts you results — saving you from making multiple calls yourself.
Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol is not a controlled substance, so there are no special DEA registration requirements or prescribing restrictions. Any licensed healthcare provider with prescribing authority can write a prescription for it.
Dermatologists — most frequent prescribers; expertise in treating the complex skin conditions this medication targets
Primary care physicians (family medicine, internal medicine)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) — authorized to prescribe in all states
Physician assistants (PAs)
Urgent care providers
Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol can be prescribed via telehealth in most states. Online dermatology platforms (such as Apostrophe, Curology) and general telehealth services (Teladoc, MDLive) can evaluate skin conditions via video or photo and prescribe this topical medication without an in-person visit.
No. Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol is not a controlled substance and has no DEA schedule. There are no special prescribing restrictions, refill limitations, or reporting requirements associated with prescribing or filling this medication beyond a standard prescription.
Any licensed prescriber — including physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can prescribe Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol. It can also be prescribed via telehealth in most states. It is not subject to the prescribing database checks or quantity limits that apply to Schedule II–V drugs.
Common side effects that may occur at the application site:
Burning or stinging sensation
Itching
Skin dryness or irritation
Staining of skin, hair, and fabrics (yellowish-green discoloration from iodoquinol)
Skin atrophy (thinning) from prolonged corticosteroid use
Secondary infection with non-susceptible organisms (from prolonged use)
HPA axis suppression from excessive systemic absorption (large areas or occlusive dressings)
Interference with thyroid function tests — wait 1 month after stopping before testing
False positive ferric chloride test for PKU
Allergic contact dermatitis (reaction to iodoquinol, hydrocortisone, or excipients)
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Clotrimazole/Betamethasone (Lotrisone)
FDA-approved antifungal+corticosteroid combination; widely available and covered by most insurance; betamethasone is stronger (medium-potency) than hydrocortisone
Nystatin/Triamcinolone (Mycolog II)
FDA-approved for cutaneous candidiasis; generic available for ~$15 with GoodRx; ideal for candidal intertrigo
Desonide (DesOwen)
Very low-potency FDA-approved corticosteroid; good for sensitive areas and children; lacks antimicrobial activity
Ketoconazole 2% cream + Hydrocortisone 1% OTC
Separate Rx and OTC combination; flexible and cost-effective; ketoconazole provides antifungal coverage while OTC hydrocortisone handles inflammation
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Other topical corticosteroids
moderateConcurrent use on different skin areas increases total systemic steroid exposure; monitor for HPA axis suppression with extensive application
Iodine-containing medications (amiodarone, potassium iodide)
minorAdditive iodine exposure when iodoquinol is absorbed through skin; inform all providers of concurrent use
Thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4)
moderateLab test interaction — not a drug interaction; iodoquinol interferes with thyroid assays; wait 1 month after stopping before testing
Clioquinol/chlorquinaldol (related halogenated hydroxyquinolines)
majorCross-sensitivity possible in patients with allergy to other halogenated hydroxyquinolines; screen for prior reactions before prescribing
Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol fills a specific clinical niche: skin conditions where both inflammation and infection are present simultaneously. Its combination of a mild corticosteroid and broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent addresses both drivers of the rash without the need for two separate prescriptions.
The main practical challenges are its unapproved FDA status, resulting in limited insurance coverage, uneven pharmacy stocking, and high cash prices for branded versions. Generic 1%/1% cream with a GoodRx coupon (~$45) makes it accessible for most patients. When availability is an issue, FDA-approved alternatives like clotrimazole/betamethasone or nystatin/triamcinolone are clinically viable options.
If you've been prescribed Hydrocortisone/Iodoquinol and can't find it at your pharmacy, medfinder can locate which pharmacies near you have it in stock — without you having to make the calls yourself.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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