express delivery
Express delivery to
Select Pincode
Search for Medicine and Healthcare items
Search
molecule

Hydrocortisone

Molecule Description

Hydrocortisone belongs to a group of medicines called Corticosteroids. It repla

ces the adrenal hormones in your body, which you may be lacking.

uses

Uses of Hydrocortisone

  • It can be used as replacement therapy for children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (which affects the body's natural production of steroids)
  • It is also used to treat severe asthma and allergic reactions (in adults and children)
contraindications

Contraindications of Hydrocortisone

When should one not use Hydrocortisone

  • If you are allergic to Hydrocortisone or any of the other ingredients
  • If you are suffering from an infection
  • If you are going to have any vaccinations
sideEffects

Side effects of Hydrocortisone

Common side effects of this drug are:

  • Fits (convulsions)
  • Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
  • Irritability
  • Vertigo
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Increased appetite
  • Delayed wound healing
  • Bleeding ulcers (indicated by stomach pain, bleeding from the anus, black stools or being sick with blood present)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Thinning of bones which makes fractures more likely (osteoporosis)
  • Cataracts (clouding of the lens in the eye)
  • Increase in blood sugar
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Thromboembolism
precautionsAndWarnings

Precautions and Warnings of Hydrocortisone

pregnancy

Pregnancy

Q:
Can I take Hydrocortisone during pregnancy?
A:
It is advised not to take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Consult a doctor before taking this medicine during pregnancy.
breastfeeding

Breast Feeding

Q:
Can I take Hydrocortisone while breastfeeding?
A:
It can be pass into breast milk. So breastfeeding women should tell their doctor before taking this medicine.
driving

Driving

Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed Hydrocortisone?
A:
It may make affect your vision or make you feel dizzy. If you have any of these symptoms, you should not drive.
alcohol

Alcohol

Q:
Can I consume alcohol with Hydrocortisone?
A:
You must make sure that you don’t consume alcohol when you are taking the medicine.
otherGeneralWarnings

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if
  • You feel itching or skin rashes, swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing or wheeziness
  • You have liver, kidney, thyroid or heart problems
  • You have any infections
  • You have any thyroid problems or suffering from tuberculosis (TB)
  • You have a history of liver, kidney or any heart problems
  • You have diabetes or high blood pressure
  • You have a condition of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)
  • You are suffering from glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
  • You have HIV infection or epilepsy
  • You are suffering from stomach ulcers or other digestive problems
  • You have a history of chickenpox, shingles or measles
modeOfAction

Mode of Action of Hydrocortisone

How Does It Work?

Hydrocortisone is a Corticosteroid or a steroid that reduces the skin inflammation by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which is responsible for inflammation. It can also su...
Read more
interactions

Interactions of Hydrocortisone

Interactions with other medicines

  • Medicine used to assist medical termination of pregnancy (Mifepristone)
  • Diuretics (water tablets)
  • Medicine used to treat ulcers (Carbenoxolone)
  • Medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis
  • Medicines used to treat asthma and other breathing problems (Theophylline, Bambuterol, Fenoterol, Formoterol, Ritodrine, Salbutamol, Salmeterol and Terbutaline)
  • Medicines used to treat high blood pressure
  • Medicines used to thin the blood like Warfarin
  • Aspirin
  • Medicines used to treat mild to moderate pain such as Ibuprofen, Diclofenac or Naproxen
  • Medicines for diabetes (Insulin)
  • Medicines used to treat bacterial infections (Erythromycin or Clarithromycin)
  • Oral contraceptive pill
  • Medicines used to treat HIV infections (Efavirenz or Nevirapine)
  • Medicine used to treat glaucoma (Acetazolamide)
  • Medicines used to treat fungal infections (Amphotericin, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Posaconazole or Voriconazole)
  • Medicine used for treating depression
  • Medicines used to treat epilepsy (Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine and Primidone)
  • Medicines used to treat TB (Rifabutin and Rifampicin)
  • Medicine used in the treatment of cancer
  • Medicines used to treat heart failure and irregular heartbeat (Digoxin)

Interactions with food items

  • Limit the portion of carbohydrates and salt intake
  • Start taking potassium supplements
  • Consume meals that are high in protein
dosage

Dosage of Hydrocortisone

Overdose

You must ensure that you seek immediate medical attention if you believe that you have overdosed on the medicine. Symptoms of overdosage may include nausea, vomiting, sodium and water retention, and o...
Read more

Missed a Dose

If you missed a dose, try to follow the regular dosage schedule. Do not double the dose.

Content Details

WRITTEN BY
REVIEWED BY
doctor

Dr. Ritu Budania

MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

^

Q: Can I use Hydrocortisone on my face?

A: You should never use over-the-counter preparations of Hydrocortisone on your face unless a doctor prescribes them. Most of the Hydrocortisone products are not sold to be used on the face. The skin on the face is very delicate. Long-term use of such steroids that are strong can cause noticeable damage to the face.

Q: Does Hydrocortisone raise blood sugar?

A: If you have diabetes, then yes, Hydrocortisone has a high chance of increasing the blood sugar levels in your body.

Q: How long does it take for Hydrocortisone to work?

A: It should take around 72 hours for the effects to show clearly. It is recommended that you use Hydrocortisone cream for seven days. If you don’t see any results, you may need a stronger formulation of Hydrocortisone or a different steroid. If used for an extended period, Hydrocortisone begins to reduce its effect.
Last Updated on: 05 Oct 2020 | 10:47 PM (IST)

Recent articles

Disclaimer
The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here  for detailed T&C.
Our Payment Partners
https://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/gpay.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/paytm.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/amazon-pay.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/phonepe.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/mobikwik.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/airtel-money.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/ola-money.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/maestro.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/mastercard.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/visa.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/rupay.svghttps://assets.pharmeasy.in/web-assets/_next/icons/diners.svg