Terra-Cortril in Spain: Oxytetracycline Hydrocortisone

Terra-Cortril, sold in Spain as Terracortril, is an ointment with two medicines in it: the antibiotic oxytetracycline and hydrocortisone, a mild steroid. The steroid calms redness and itch, and the antibiotic treats a germ that has got in. There is a skin version and an eye and ear version. Both need a prescription in Spain.

Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).

For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.

What does Terracortril treat?

It treats inflamed skin, eyes or ears where a bacterial infection has taken hold on top. A common example is eczema that has become sore, weepy or crusted because germs got in. The steroid settles the swelling and itch. The antibiotic deals with the germs. On CIMA, the AEMPS medicines database, two versions are listed in Spain:

• Terracortril skin ointment (pomada): oxytetracycline and hydrocortisone. It is for inflamed skin problems that respond to a steroid and have a bacterial infection as well. It must never go in the eyes.
• Terracortril eye and ear ointment (pomada ótico oftálmica): the same two medicines plus a second antibiotic, polymyxin B. It is for eye and ear infections caused by germs it works on, and for eye or ear swelling where a steroid is needed.

We found no Terracortril drops on CIMA. Both versions are ointments. The strength is set for each pack, and the doctor or the leaflet tells you how much to use and how often.

Terracortril, Terramicina and Terra-Cortril: which name is which?

The names look alike, but the products are not the same. Only the Cortril products contain a steroid.

Name	What it contains	Where
Terracortril pomada	Oxytetracycline + hydrocortisone, for the skin	Spain (prescription)
Terracortril pomada ótico oftálmica	Oxytetracycline + hydrocortisone + polymyxin B, for the eye and ear	Spain (prescription)
Terramicina eye ointment	Oxytetracycline only, no steroid	Spain (prescription)
Terramicina skin ointment	Oxytetracycline + polymyxin B, no steroid	Spain (prescription)
Terra-Cortril ointment	Oxytetracycline + hydrocortisone, for the skin	UK (prescription only)

The UK skin ointment has the same two medicines as the Spanish skin ointment. We could not confirm a UK or US version of the eye and ear ointment. If you bring a tube from home, show it to the doctor so they can match it.

Do you need a prescription for Terracortril in Spain?

Yes. Both versions are listed as medicamento sujeto a prescripción médica on the AEMPS CIMA database. A pharmacy can only hand it over with a prescription. This is the usual rule for antibiotics in Spain, and steroid creams for the eye are checked with extra care. Our guide on antibiotics in Spain explains why.

What Terracortril does not treat

A steroid lowers the skin's local defences. So on the wrong kind of infection it can do harm. The leaflets say not to use it for:

• Fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, ringworm or thrush. See our page on fungal skin infections.
• Viral infections, such as cold sores (herpes) or chickenpox. Antibiotics do nothing against viruses.
• Acne, rosacea or a rash around the mouth (perioral dermatitis). A steroid can make these worse.
• Open wounds and ulcers, or skin that is thin and fragile.
• Glaucoma (high eye pressure), for the eye version.
• An ear with a hole in the eardrum, for the ear version.

Plain eczema with no infection does not need an antibiotic. Our eczema page explains the usual steps.

Using it on the eye or ear: what should you know?

• Contact lenses. The leaflet advises against them during treatment.
• Blurred vision. The ointment can blur your sight for a while. Do not drive until it clears.
• Eye pressure. Steroids in the eye can raise eye pressure and, with long use, cause cataracts. If treatment lasts 10 days or more, eye pressure should be checked.
• Once opened. Throw the eye and ear tube away 4 weeks after first opening it.

Most pink eye is caused by a virus or an allergy and does not need an antibiotic. Our pink eye page and ear infection page explain what a doctor checks first.

Who should not use Terracortril?

• Children under 8. Tetracyclines can stain growing teeth and slow bone growth. From 8 to 12, a doctor must have a clear reason.
• Anyone allergic to oxytetracycline, hydrocortisone or polymyxin B.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is little data. Ask a doctor first; they weigh the benefit against the risk.

Side effects and red flags

It can sting, burn, itch or dry the skin. Longer use can thin the skin, cause stretch marks, spots or extra hair growth. It can make skin burn more easily in the sun, so keep treated skin out of strong sun. In the eye it can sting and blur sight. Stop and see a doctor if:

• The skin gets more red, sore or irritated.
• It is no better, or worse, after 10 days.
• Your eye hurts, light hurts your eye, or your vision stays blurred.
• The ear pain is severe, you have a fever, or there is swelling behind the ear.
• Redness spreads fast or you feel unwell.

Call 112 for a chemical splash in the eye, an eye injury from a sharp or fast object, or sudden loss of vision. Also call 112 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, or trouble breathing.

Talking it through with a doctor by video

Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:

• Look at the skin, eye or ear on camera and ask how it started.
• Check whether it looks bacterial, fungal, viral or allergic.
• Look for warning signs that need an eye doctor or an in-person exam.
• Explain whether an ointment like this fits, and for how long.

He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.

A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.

See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.

This guide is general information. It does not replace the package leaflet or the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• AEMPS CIMA: Terracortril skin ointment leaflet
• AEMPS CIMA: Terracortril eye and ear ointment leaflet
• Electronic Medicines Compendium (UK): Terra-Cortril ointment
• NHS: Conjunctivitis

Related guides

• Antibiotics in Spain: why you need a prescription
• Conjunctivitis and pink eye in Spain
• Swimmer's ear and ear infections in Spain
• Rash care online
• Which medicines need a prescription in Spain?
• Urgent Care video visit