Cortisone Dosage
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 21, 2023.
Applies to the following strengths: 25 mg; 50 mg/mL; 5 mg; 10 mg
Usual Adult Dose for:
- Adrenal Insufficiency
- Idiopathic (Immune) Thrombocytopenic Purpura
- Shock
- Hemolytic Anemia
- Erythroblastopenia
- Loeffler's Syndrome
- Sarcoidosis
- Berylliosis
- Lymphoma
- Nephrotic Syndrome
- Uveitis
- Iritis
- Keratitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Iridocyclitis
- Chorioretinitis
- Choroiditis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Dermatomyositis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Bursitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Gouty Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Epicondylitis
- Dermatitis Herpetiformis
- Psoriasis
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Pemphigus
- Erythema Multiforme
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Asthma
- Serum Sickness
- Ulcerative Colitis - Active
- Tuberculous Meningitis
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Adrenal Insufficiency
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Use(s): Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, hypercalcemia associated with cancer
Usual Adult Dose for Idiopathic (Immune) Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, acquired/autoimmune hemolytic anemia, erythroblastopenia (red blood cell anemia), congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia
Usual Adult Dose for Shock
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, acquired/autoimmune hemolytic anemia, erythroblastopenia (red blood cell anemia), congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia
Usual Adult Dose for Hemolytic Anemia
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, acquired/autoimmune hemolytic anemia, erythroblastopenia (red blood cell anemia), congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia
Usual Adult Dose for Erythroblastopenia
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults, secondary thrombocytopenia in adults, acquired/autoimmune hemolytic anemia, erythroblastopenia (red blood cell anemia), congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia
Usual Adult Dose for Loeffler's Syndrome
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Symptomatic sarcoidosis, Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means, berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis (when used concomitantly with appropriate antituberculosis chemotherapy), aspiration pneumonitis
Usual Adult Dose for Sarcoidosis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Symptomatic sarcoidosis, Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means, berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis (when used concomitantly with appropriate antituberculosis chemotherapy), aspiration pneumonitis
Usual Adult Dose for Berylliosis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Symptomatic sarcoidosis, Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means, berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis (when used concomitantly with appropriate antituberculosis chemotherapy), aspiration pneumonitis
Usual Adult Dose for Lymphoma
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Palliative management of leukemia and lymphoma in adults
Usual Adult Dose for Nephrotic Syndrome
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: To induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome without uremia, idiopathic or from lupus erythematosus
Usual Adult Dose for Uveitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as:
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
- Iritis and iridocyclitis
- Chorioretinitis
- Anterior segment inflammation
- Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis
- Optic neuritis
- Sympathetic ophthalmia
Usual Adult Dose for Iritis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as:
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
- Iritis and iridocyclitis
- Chorioretinitis
- Anterior segment inflammation
- Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis
- Optic neuritis
- Sympathetic ophthalmia
Usual Adult Dose for Keratitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as:
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
- Iritis and iridocyclitis
- Chorioretinitis
- Anterior segment inflammation
- Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis
- Optic neuritis
- Sympathetic ophthalmia
Usual Adult Dose for Conjunctivitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as:
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
- Iritis and iridocyclitis
- Chorioretinitis
- Anterior segment inflammation
- Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis
- Optic neuritis
- Sympathetic ophthalmia
Usual Adult Dose for Iridocyclitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as:
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
- Iritis and iridocyclitis
- Chorioretinitis
- Anterior segment inflammation
- Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis
- Optic neuritis
- Sympathetic ophthalmia
Usual Adult Dose for Chorioretinitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as:
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
- Iritis and iridocyclitis
- Chorioretinitis
- Anterior segment inflammation
- Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis
- Optic neuritis
- Sympathetic ophthalmia
Usual Adult Dose for Choroiditis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as:
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
- Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
- Iritis and iridocyclitis
- Chorioretinitis
- Anterior segment inflammation
- Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis
- Optic neuritis
- Sympathetic ophthalmia
Usual Adult Dose for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: For exacerbations or as maintenance therapy in select cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic carditis, and systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis)
Usual Adult Dose for Dermatomyositis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: For exacerbations or as maintenance therapy in select cases of systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic carditis, and systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis)
Usual Adult Dose for Ankylosing Spondylitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: As adjunctive therapy for short term administration (for acute episodes/exacerbations) in:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylosis
- Acute and subacute bursitis
- Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
- Synovitis of osteoarthritis
- Epicondylitis
Usual Adult Dose for Bursitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: As adjunctive therapy for short term administration (for acute episodes/exacerbations) in:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylosis
- Acute and subacute bursitis
- Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
- Synovitis of osteoarthritis
- Epicondylitis
Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: As adjunctive therapy for short term administration (for acute episodes/exacerbations) in:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylosis
- Acute and subacute bursitis
- Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
- Synovitis of osteoarthritis
- Epicondylitis
Usual Adult Dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: As adjunctive therapy for short term administration (for acute episodes/exacerbations) in:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylosis
- Acute and subacute bursitis
- Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
- Synovitis of osteoarthritis
- Epicondylitis
Usual Adult Dose for Gouty Arthritis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: As adjunctive therapy for short term administration (for acute episodes/exacerbations) in:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylosis
- Acute and subacute bursitis
- Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
- Synovitis of osteoarthritis
- Epicondylitis
Usual Adult Dose for Psoriatic Arthritis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: As adjunctive therapy for short term administration (for acute episodes/exacerbations) in:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylosis
- Acute and subacute bursitis
- Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
- Synovitis of osteoarthritis
- Epicondylitis
Usual Adult Dose for Epicondylitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: As adjunctive therapy for short term administration (for acute episodes/exacerbations) in:
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylosis
- Acute and subacute bursitis
- Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis
- Acute gouty arthritis
- Post-traumatic osteoarthritis
- Synovitis of osteoarthritis
- Epicondylitis
Usual Adult Dose for Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses:
- Pemphigus
- Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
- Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Exfoliative dermatitis
- Mycosis fungoides
- Severe psoriasis
- Severe seborrheic dermatitis
Usual Adult Dose for Psoriasis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses:
- Pemphigus
- Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
- Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Exfoliative dermatitis
- Mycosis fungoides
- Severe psoriasis
- Severe seborrheic dermatitis
Usual Adult Dose for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses:
- Pemphigus
- Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
- Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Exfoliative dermatitis
- Mycosis fungoides
- Severe psoriasis
- Severe seborrheic dermatitis
Usual Adult Dose for Pemphigus
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses:
- Pemphigus
- Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
- Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Exfoliative dermatitis
- Mycosis fungoides
- Severe psoriasis
- Severe seborrheic dermatitis
Usual Adult Dose for Erythema Multiforme
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses:
- Pemphigus
- Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
- Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)
- Exfoliative dermatitis
- Mycosis fungoides
- Severe psoriasis
- Severe seborrheic dermatitis
Usual Adult Dose for Allergic Rhinitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions retractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment:
- Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
- Bronchial asthma
- Contact dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Serum sickness
- Drug hypersensitivity reactions
Usual Adult Dose for Atopic Dermatitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions retractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment:
- Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
- Bronchial asthma
- Contact dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Serum sickness
- Drug hypersensitivity reactions
Usual Adult Dose for Asthma
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions retractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment:
- Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
- Bronchial asthma
- Contact dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Serum sickness
- Drug hypersensitivity reactions
Usual Adult Dose for Serum Sickness
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions retractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment:
- Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
- Bronchial asthma
- Contact dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Serum sickness
- Drug hypersensitivity reactions
Usual Adult Dose for Ulcerative Colitis - Active
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: To tide patients over during critical periods of ulcerative colitis or regional enteritis
Usual Adult Dose for Tuberculous Meningitis
Initial dose: 25 to 300 mg per day
Comments:
- Dose requirements are variable; individualize dose based on disease and patient response.
Uses: Tuberculosis meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block (with appropriate concurrent tuberculosis chemotherapy); trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial event
Renal Dose Adjustments
Use with caution.
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Dose Adjustments
- Doses less than 25 mg may suffice in less severe disease, while doses higher than 300 mg may be needed for severe disease.
- Adjust initial dosage until a satisfactory response is seen.
- If no satisfactory response occurs within a reasonable period, transfer the patient to a different therapy.
- After a favorable initial response, determine the maintenance dose by decreasing the dose by small amounts to the lowest effective dose.
- Observe patients carefully for signs that a dose adjustment may be needed, including changes from disease remission or exacerbation and the effects of stressors (e.g. surgery, infection, trauma).
- Doses may need to be increased temporarily during times of stress.
Precautions
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- Systemic fungal infections
- Hypersensitivity to this product
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- If therapy is to be discontinued after more than a few days of use, withdraw it gradually.
Patient advice:
- Patients should avoid exposure to chickenpox and measles, and should seek medical advice promptly if exposed.
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