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POM-V Prescription Required Companion Animal

Cortavance 0.584 mg/ml Cutaneous Spray Solution for Dogs

Active ingredient: Hydrocortisone Aceponate

Form

Spray

Species

Dogs

Manufacturer

Virbac

VMD MA No.

EU/2/06/069/001-004

What it's used for

For symptomatic treatment of inflammatory and pruritic dermatoses in dogs. For alleviation of clinical signs associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs.

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓
View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Hydrocortisone Aceponate

  1. 1

    Ask your vet for a written prescription

    They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.

  2. 2

    Fill it at a registered online retailer

    The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Cortavance 0.584 mg/ml Cutaneous Spray Solution for Dogs — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.

For symptomatic treatment of inflammatory and pruritic dermatoses in dogs.
For alleviation of clinical signs associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs.
Cutaneous use.
Before administration, screw the pump spray on the bottle.
The veterinary medicinal product is then applied by activating the pump spray, from a
distance of about 10 cm of the area to be treated.
The recommended dosage is 1.52 µg of hydrocortisone aceponate/cm
of affected
skin per day. This dosage can be achieved with two pump spray activations over a
surface to be treated equivalent to a square of 10 cm x 10 cm.
-
daily for 7 consecutive days.
In case of conditions requiring an extended treatment, the responsible
veterinarian should subject the use of the veterinary medicinal product to the
risk-benefit assessment.
If signs fail to improve within 7 days, treatment should be re-evaluated by the
veterinarian.
-
treatment daily for at least 14 and up to 28 consecutive days.
An intermediary control by the veterinarian at day 14 should be made to decide
if further treatment is needed.
regard to HPA suppression or skin atrophy, both being possibly asymptomatic.
Any prolonged use of this product, to control atopy, should be at the benefit risk
assessment of the responsible veterinary surgeon. It should take place after a

Issued: July 2021
AN: 00259/2020
re-evaluation of the diagnosis and also a consideration of the multi-modal
treatment plan in the individual animal.
Presented as a volatile spray, this veterinary medicinal product does not require any
massage.
Do not use on cutaneous ulcers.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the
excipients.
Transient local reactions at the application site (erythema and/or pruritus) can occur
in very rare cases.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
None.

Special precautions for use in animals
Clinical signs of atopic dermatitis such as pruritus and skin inflammation are not
specific for this disease and therefore other causes of dermatitis such as
ectoparasitic infestations and infections which cause dermatological signs should be
ruled out before treatment is started, and underlying causes should be investigated.

Issued: July 2021
AN: 00259/2020
In the case of concurrent microbial disease or parasitic infestation, the dog should
receive appropriate treatment for such condition.
In the absence of specific information, the use in animal suffering from Cushing’s
syndrome shall be based on the risk-benefit assessment.
Since glucocorticosteroids are known to slow growth, use in young animals (under 7
months of age) shall be based on the risk-benefit assessment and subject to regular
clinical evaluations.
Total body surface treated should not exceed approximately 1/3 of the dog’s surface
corresponding for example to a treatment of two flanks from the spine to the
mammary chains including the shoulders and the thighs. See also section 4.10.
Otherwise, use only according to the risk-benefit assessment of the responsible
veterinary surgeon and subject the dog to regular clinical evaluations as further
described in section 4.9.
Care should be taken to avoid spraying into the eyes of the animal.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
The active substance is potentially pharmacologically active at high doses of
exposure.
The formulation may cause eye irritation following accidental ocular contact.
The formulation is flammable.
Wash hands after use. Avoid contact with eyes.
To avoid skin contact, recently treated animals should not be handled until the
application site is dry.
To avoid inhalation of the product, apply the spray in a well-ventilated area.
Do not spray on naked flame or any incandescent material.
Do not smoke while handling the veterinary medicinal product.
Replace the bottle in the outer carton and in a safe place out of the sight and the
reach of children immediately after use.
In case of accidental skin contact, avoid hand-to-mouth contact and wash the
exposed area immediately with water.
In case of accidental eye contact, rinse with abundant quantities of water.
If eye irritation persists, seek medical advice.
In case of accidental ingestion, especially by children, seek medical advice
immediately and show the leaflet or the label to the physician.
Other precautions
The solvent in this product may stain certain materials including painted, varnished or
other household surfaces or furnishings. Allow the application site to dry before
permitting contact with such materials.

Issued: July 2021
AN: 00259/2020
No data available.
In the absence of information, it is recommended not to apply other topical
preparations simultaneously on the same lesions.
This veterinary medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
Not applicable.
5.

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.

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