Hydrocortisone

Pronunciation: hye-droe-KOR-ti-sone
Generic Name: Hydrocortisone
Brand Name: Cortef

Hydrocortisone is used for:

Treating severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, and skin conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid. It works by decreasing or preventing tissues from responding to inflammation. It also modifies the body's response to certain immune stimulation.

Do NOT use Hydrocortisone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Hydrocortisone


• you have a systemic fungal infection


• you are taking mifepristone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Hydrocortisone:

Some medical conditions may interact with Hydrocortisone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are scheduled for a vaccination with a live virus vaccine (eg, smallpox)


• if you have a history of an underactive thyroid, liver or kidney problems, heart problems or heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation of the esophagus, stomach problems (eg, ulcers), bowel blockage or other bowel problems (eg, ulcerative colitis or gravis), or mental or mood problems (eg, depression)


• if you have measles, chickenpox, herpes infection of the eye, or any other type of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral infection


• if you have recently had tuberculosis (TB) or have had a positive skin test for TB

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Hydrocortisone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aprepitant because it may increase the risk of Hydrocortisone's side effects


• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Hydrocortisone's effectiveness


• Clarithromycin, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), steroidal contraceptives (eg, desogestrel), or troleandomycin because side effects, such as weakness, confusion, muscle aches, joint pain, or low blood sugar, may occur


• Methotrexate or ritodrine because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Hydrocortisone


• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), live vaccines, or mifepristone because their effectiveness may be decreased by Hydrocortisone


• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or aspirin because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased or decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hydrocortisone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Hydrocortisone:

Use Hydrocortisone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Hydrocortisone by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Hydrocortisone. You may have an increased risk of side effects (eg, seizures). If you need to stop Hydrocortisone or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.


• If you miss a dose of Hydrocortisone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Hydrocortisone.

Important safety information:

• Hydrocortisone may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Hydrocortisone with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Hydrocortisone may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• If you have not had chickenpox, shingles, or measles, avoid contact with anyone who does. If you are exposed to anyone with chickenpox or measles, contact your doctor right away.


• Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Hydrocortisone.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Hydrocortisone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Long-term use may cause cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infections. Contact your doctor right away if you develop any unusual changes in your vision.


• Hydrocortisone may cause an increase in blood pressure, salt and water retention, and calcium and potassium loss. Talk with your doctor to see if you need to decrease the amount of salt in your diet or take a calcium or vitamin D supplement.


• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Hydrocortisone. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.


• Diabetes patients - Hydrocortisone may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Lab tests, including blood electrolytes, blood calcium levels, blood pressure, and vision tests may be performed while you use Hydrocortisone. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Caution is advised when using Hydrocortisone in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they use Hydrocortisone.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Hydrocortisone while you are pregnant. It is not known if Hydrocortisone is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Hydrocortisone, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Hydrocortisone:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Difficulty sleeping; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache; increased appetite; increased sweating; indigestion; nervousness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; changes in menstrual periods; chest pain; eye pain or increased pressure in the eye; fever, chills, or sore throat; joint or bone pain; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); muscle pain or weakness; seizures; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; stomach pain or bloating; swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain or loss; vision changes; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Hydrocortisone:

Store Hydrocortisone at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Hydrocortisone out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Hydrocortisone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Hydrocortisone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Hydrocortisone. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Hydrocortisone resources

• Hydrocortisone Dosage
• Hydrocortisone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Hydrocortisone Drug Interactions
• Hydrocortisone Support Group
• 4 Reviews for Hydrocortisone - Add your own review/rating

• Hydrocortisone Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Hydrocortisone Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Hydrocortisone Monograph (AHFS DI)


• hydrocortisone Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• hydrocortisone Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• A-Hydrocort Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Colocort Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Colocort foam, enema Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Cortef Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Cortifoam Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Hydrocortisone Buteprate topical Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Solu-Cortef Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare Hydrocortisone with other medications

• Addison's Disease
• Adrenocortical Insufficiency
• Asthma, acute
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Inflammatory Conditions
• Shock
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Ulcerative Proctitis