Generic name: hydrocortisone (injection) [ HYE-droe-KOR-ti-sone ]
Brand name: Solu-CORTEF
Dosage form: injectable powder for injection (100 mg preservative-free; 1000 mg preservative-free; 250 mg preservative-free; 500 mg preservative-free)
Drug class: Glucocorticoids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 5, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is hydrocortisone?

Hydrocortisone is a steroid medicine that is used in the treatment of many different conditions, including allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, or lung disorders.

Hydrocortisone is also used to replace steroids in people with adrenal insufficiency (decreased production of natural steroids by the adrenal glands).

Hydrocortisone affects your immune system and is often used to treat certain blood cell disorders such as anemia (low red blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (low platelets).

Hydrocortisone is also used in the treatment of certain cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

Hydrocortisone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Hydrocortisone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Hydrocortisone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

• muscle weakness, loss of muscle mass;

• new or unusual pain in your joints, bones, or muscles;

• severe headaches, ringing in your ears, pain behind your eyes;

• unusual changes in mood or behavior;

• a seizure;

• hollowing or other skin changes where the injection was given;

• numbness or tingling;

• fluid retention--shortness of breath (even while lying down), swelling, rapid weight gain (especially in your face and midsection);

• new signs of infection--such as fever, chills, cough, trouble breathing, sores in your mouth or on your skin, diarrhea, or burning when you urinate;

• increased adrenal gland hormones--slow wound healing, skin discoloration, thinning skin, increased body hair, tiredness, menstrual changes, sexual changes; or

• decreased adrenal gland hormones--weakness, tiredness, diarrhea, nausea, menstrual changes, skin discoloration, craving salty foods, and feeling light-headed.

Hydrocortisone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using hydrocortisone.

Common side effects of hydrocortisone may include:

• acne, dry skin;

• increased sweating;

• nausea, bloating;

• increased appetite, weight gain; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not use hydrocortisone if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use hydrocortisone if you are allergic to it, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Steroids can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure;

• tuberculosis;

• kidney disease;

• cirrhosis or other liver disease;

• a thyroid disorder;

• low bone mineral density (osteoporosis);

• stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis;

• diabetes;

• a colostomy or ileostomy;

• depression or mental illness;

• glaucoma or cataracts;

• herpes infection of the eyes; or

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis.

Long-term use of steroids may lead to bone loss (osteoporosis), especially if you smoke, if you do not exercise, if you do not get enough vitamin D or calcium in your diet, or if you have a family history of osteoporosis.

It is not known whether hydrocortisone will harm an unborn baby. However, using this medicine during pregnancy may cause a hormone deficiency in the newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using hydrocortisone.

How is hydrocortisone given?

Hydrocortisone is injected into a muscle, or given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Hydrocortisone is usually given by injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.

Your dose needs may change if you have a serious illness, fever or infection, surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects you.

You should not stop using hydrocortisone suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your hydrocortisone injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

An overdose of hydrocortisone is not expected to produce life threatening symptoms. Long term use of high doses can lead to thinning skin, easy bruising, changes in body fat (especially in your face, neck, back, and waist), increased acne or facial hair, menstrual problems, impotence, or loss of interest in sex.

What should I avoid while using hydrocortisone?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using hydrocortisone. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid medication.

What other drugs will affect hydrocortisone?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect hydrocortisone, especially:

• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;

• heart medication;

• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;

• medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection;

• medicine to treat an infection;

• seizure medication;

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); or

• aspirin or an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, indomethacin, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, and others.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect hydrocortisone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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