Hydrocortisone oral tablet is available as a brand-name drug and in a generic form. Brand name: Cortef.
Hydrocortisone comes in many forms. These include a tablet you take by mouth, and an injectable form.
Hydrocortisone oral tablet is used to treat adrenocortical deficiency, and swelling and inflammation. It’s also used to slow down your immune system.
Infection risk warning: Hydrocortisone can weaken your body’s response to infection because the drug weakens your immune system. Using this medication may also make it harder for you to know that you have an infection.
Vaccine warning: Due to hydrocortisone weakening your immune system, you shouldn’t be given a live vaccine, such as the chickenpox vaccine, when taking high doses of hydrocortisone or if you’ve taken hydrocortisone for a long time. Instead, you may be given killed or inactivated vaccines. However, the vaccine may not work as well.
Warning for stopping this drug: If you’ve been taking hydrocortisone for a long time, don’t stop taking it suddenly. This can cause withdrawal that can last a long time. Symptoms of withdrawal may include fever, muscle and joint pain, and overall discomfort. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor will slowly lower your dosage of hydrocortisone over time or have you take it less often.
Hydrocortisone is a prescription medication. It comes in many forms, including an oral tablet.
Hydrocortisone oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Cortef and in a generic form. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.
Hydrocortisone is used to treat adrenocortical deficiency, swelling and inflammation, and to slow down your immune system.
allergies. It’s used as treatment of severe conditions if other therapy doesn’t work. These include allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, skin reactions, serum sickness, and allergic reactions to medications.
Hydrocortisone belongs to a class of drugs called glucocorticoids or adrenocorticoids. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Hydrocortisone is a steroid hormone that blocks certain proteins in your body. It works to decrease swelling and stop your immune system from reacting to different triggers.
Hydrocortisone also affects how your body uses and stores carbohydrates, proteins, and fats and how your body balances water and electrolytes.
Hydrocortisone oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.
Hydrocortisone oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with hydrocortisone are listed below.
Don’t take mifepristone with hydrocortisone. It can block the effect of hydrocortisone and make it ineffective.
Taking these medications with hydrocortisone can lower the amount of hydrocortisone in your body and decrease its effect. If you start or stop taking a seizure drug while taking hydrocortisone, your doctor may need to change your dosage of hydrocortisone.
Taking rifampin with hydrocortisone can lower the amount of hydrocortisone in your body and decrease its effect. If you start or stop taking rifampin while taking hydrocortisone, your doctor may need to change your dosage of hydrocortisone.
Taking ketoconazole with hydrocortisone can increase the amount of hydrocortisone in your body, which raises your risk of side effects. If you start or stop taking this drug while taking hydrocortisone, your doctor may need to change your dosage of hydrocortisone.
Taking ephedrine with hydrocortisone can lower the amount of hydrocortisone in your body and decrease its effect. If you start or stop taking it while taking hydrocortisone, your doctor may need to change your dosage of hydrocortisone.
Taking warfarin with hydrocortisone may increase or decrease the blood-thinning effects of warfarin. Your dosage may need to be adjusted by your doctor.
Taking NSAIDs with hydrocortisone can increase the stomach and intestinal side effects of NSAIDs. You may be at a higher risk of ulcers and bleeding.
Don’t take hydrocortisone if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).
Tell your doctor if you’ve been around someone who has measles or chickenpox. Hydrocortisone decreases your immune system’s ability to fight infections like these. If you get measles or chickenpox, you may have a severe case that can be fatal (cause death).
For people with infections: This medication can cover up (mask) symptoms of infection. It can also make it harder for your body to fight an infection.
For people with high blood pressure: Hydrocortisone can raise your blood pressure. Use it with caution if you have high blood pressure or heart problems. Monitor your blood pressure more closely while you take hydrocortisone.
For people with diabetes: Hydrocortisone can increase your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar more closely while you’re taking this medication.
For people with glaucoma: Hydrocortisone can increase the pressure in your eyes. This may make your glaucoma worse. Your doctor may check your eyes regularly if you take this medication.
For people with stomach or intestinal problems: Hydrocortisone can irritate your stomach or intestines, which can worsen your stomach or intestinal problems. Don’t take hydrocortisone if you currently have a stomach ulcer.
For people with liver problems: Hydrocortisone is broken down in your liver. If you have severe liver disease, it may build up in your body and have dangerous effects. You may need a lower dosage of this medication.
For people with thyroid problems: If you have low thyroid function, you may be more sensitive to the effects of hydrocortisone.
For people with mental health problems: Hydrocortisone can worsen mood changes, personality changes, depression, and hallucinations. You may need dosage adjustments of your mental health medications.
For people with congestive heart failure: Hydrocortisone makes your body retain water and salt, which can make heart failure worse. You may need to eat a low-salt diet. Your heart medication dosage may need to be changed.
For people with Cushing syndrome: People with this condition already have too much steroid hormone in their body. Taking hydrocortisone, a steroid hormone, can worsen symptoms of Cushing syndrome.
For people with low potassium: Hydrocortisone may increase the amount of potassium that leaves your body in your urine. Your risk is higher if you take high doses of the drug. Your doctor will check your potassium levels while you take hydrocortisone. You may need to take potassium supplements.
For people with ocular herpes simplex: If you have ocular herpes simplex, use this drug with caution. It may increase your risk for perforation or small holes in the outer layer of your eye (called the cornea).
For pregnant women: Taking hydrocortisone while you are pregnant may harm your pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Hydrocortisone should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
For women who are breastfeeding: Taking hydrocortisone while you are breastfeeding may harm your breastfed child. Tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking hydrocortisone.
For seniors: If you’re a senior, this medication may increase your risk of breaking a bone. It may also increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
For children: Hydrocortisone can delay growth and development in children and infants. Your doctor will monitor your child’s height and weight if they take this medication.
Typical starting dosage: 20–240 mg per day, depending on your condition and how severe it is.
Dosage adjustments: The starting dosage should be maintained or increased until your body has a good response. If your body responds well, your doctor may slowly start to decrease your dosage.
Your doctor will decide your child’s dosage. It will depend on factors such as the condition being treated and how severe it is.
Hydrocortisone oral tablet is used for short-term or long-term treatment. How long you take it will depend on the condition you’re treating.
If you stop suddenly: Stopping the drug suddenly may lead to a withdrawal reaction. Symptoms of withdrawal may include fever, muscle and joint pain, and overall discomfort. Your risk is greater if you’ve taken hydrocortisone for more than a few days.
When it’s time to stop, your doctor may decrease your dosage slowly to avoid withdrawal.
If you take too much: Taking too much of this medication can be dangerous. If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center.
What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it’s close to the time for your next dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist. You might need to miss a dose or take an extra dose, depending on your condition.
Don’t take any extra doses without checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.
How to tell if the drug is working: You should notice a decrease in your swelling and other symptoms of your illness.
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes hydrocortisone oral tablet for you.
Take with food to avoid an upset stomach.
Your doctor may check your thyroid and liver function to make sure this drug is suitable for you.
Hydrocortisone can cause you to retain salt and water. It can also change how your body handles carbohydrates and proteins. You might need to limit the amount of salt and carbohydrates you eat, take potassium supplements, and eat a high-protein diet. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before making any major changes in your diet.