Hydrocortisone
Complete list of drugs used to
treat arthritis.
Hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid, is similar to a natural hormone
produced by your adrenal glands. It often is used to replace this chemical when your body
does not make enough of it. It relieves inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain)
and is used to treat certain forms of arthritis; skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and
intestinal disorders (e.g., colitis); severe allergies; and asthma. Hydrocortisone also is
used to treat certain types of cancer.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should Hydrocortisone be used?
Hydrocortisone comes as a tablet and suspension to be taken by mouth.
Your doctor will prescribe a dosing schedule that is best for you. Follow the directions
on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any
part you do not understand. Take hydrocortisone exactly as directed. Do not take more or
less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking hydrocortisone without talking to your doctor.
Stopping the drug abruptly can cause loss of appetite, an upset stomach, vomiting,
drowsiness, confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, peeling skin, and weight
loss. If you take large doses for a long time, your doctor probably will decrease your
dose gradually to allow your body to adjust before stopping the drug completely. Watch for
these side effects if you are gradually decreasing your dose and after you stop taking the
tablets or oral liquid, even if you switch to an inhalation. If these problems occur, call
your doctor immediately. You may need to increase your dose of oral hydrocortisone
temporarily or start taking it again.
Before taking hydrocortisone,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to hydrocortisone, aspirin,
tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin),
arthritis medication, aspirin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin),
diuretics ('water pills'), estrogen (Premarin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral
contraceptives, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), theophylline
(Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
- if you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin), do not take hydrocortisone
without talking to your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart
disease; diabetes; an underactive thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mental illness;
myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; tuberculosis (TB); or
ulcers.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking hydrocortisone, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking hydrocortisone.
- if you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis
medication, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages while taking this drug.
Hydrocortisone makes your stomach and intestines more susceptible to the irritating
effects of alcohol, aspirin, and certain arthritis medications. This effect increases your
risk of ulcers.
What side effects an Hydrocortisone cause?
Although side effects from hydrocortisone are not common, they can
occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- stomach irritation
- vomiting
- headache
- dizziness
- insomnia
- restlessness
- depression
- anxiety
- acne
- increased hair growth
- easy bruising
- irregular or absent menstrual periods
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- skin rash
- swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
- vision problems
- cold or infection that lasts a long time
- muscle weakness
- black or tarry stool
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