Hydrocortisone is used to treat many conditions, such as joint problems, severe allergic reactions, certain skin or eye conditions, certain problems with the blood/hormones/immune system, a certain bowel problem (ulcerative colitis), swelling, and worsening multiple sclerosis.
Hydrocortisone is a glucocorticoid hormone. It decreases your body's natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as redness and swelling.
Directions
Take this medication by mouth with food or milk, usually three or four times daily or as directed by your doctor. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Follow the dosing schedule carefully, and take this medication exactly as prescribed.
If you have been taking this medication for a long time, do not suddenly stop taking it without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce symptoms such as extreme tiredness, weakness, weight loss, or nausea.
Side Effects
Hydrocortisone may cause side effects. 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
Precautions
Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product.
Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause serious side effects.
Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine.
Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine.
Corticosteroids may lower your ability to fight infection or may cause infections to be more severe. The risk may be greater if you take them for a long time. Avoid contact with people who have infections such as colds, chickenpox, measles, or tuberculosis (TB). Tell your doctor right away if you have contact with anyone who has these infections. Tell your doctor if you develop symptoms such as fever, sore throat, rash, or chills. Check with your doctor if you have questions about your risk of infection.
Check with your doctor before having immunizations (vaccinations) while you are using this medicine.
If you have osteoporosis (weak bones) or if you are at risk for developing osteoporosis, be sure you have enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet while you are taking this medicine. If you have questions about your risk for osteoporosis or whether you may need to take a calcium or vitamin D supplement while you take this medicine, talk with your doctor.
Corticosteroid medicines may affect growth rate in children and adolescents when used for an extended period of time. Your child's growth should be checked regularly while using this medicine.
If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy.
If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Drug Interactions
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using aspirin, ephedrine (Vatronol®, Primatene®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), or rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®). Tell your doctor if you are using a diuretic or "water pill", such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), furosemide, (Lasix®), insulin or diabetes medicine that you take by mouth, such as glyburide, metformin, Actos®, Diabeta®, Glucotrol®). Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin (Coumadin®).
Talk to your doctor before getting flu shots or other vaccines while you are receiving this medicine. Vaccines may not work as well, or they could make you ill while you are using this medicine.
Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.
Store it at room temperature, below 30°C or 86°F, and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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