Hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone is a drug used to reduce inflammation, reduce immune system reactions, and treat a deficiency of the hormone hydrocortisone. This medicine can only be used with a doctor's prescription.
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid drug class. This drug works by lowering the immune system response, so that symptoms and complaints, including pain and swelling, can be reduced. This drug is available in the form of tablets, ointments, cream or creams, lotions, and injections.
Hydricortisone trademark: Calacort, Dermacoid, Fartison, Berlicort, Cortigra, Enkacort, Lexacorton, or Steroderm.
What's thatHydrocortisone?
| group | Corticosteroids |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Treating dermatoses, arthritis, inflammation of the soft tissues, and adrenocortical insufficiency |
| Used by | Adults and children |
| Hydrocortisone for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Shape | Tablets, ointments, cream, lotions and injections |
Precautions Before Using Hydrocortisone:
- Do not use hydrocortisone if you have a history of allergies to this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you are allergic to other corticosteroid medicines, such as prednisone and triamcinolone.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal remedies before using hydrocortisone.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy before using hydrocortisone.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of hypertension, diabetes, glaucoma, cataracts, Cushing's syndrome, immune system disorders, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, diverculitis, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or myasthenia gravis.
- Tell your doctor if you have a viral infection, such as herpes, a bacterial infection, such as tuberculosis, or a fungal infection, such as tinea pedis (water flea).
- Do not vaccinate with live vaccines, such as smallpox vaccine, while using hydrocortisone.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking hydrocortisone.
- See a doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or an overdose after using hydrocortisone.
Doseand Rules of Use Hydrocortisone
The dose of hydrocortisone prescribed depends on the condition suffered and the patient's response to the drug. The following are general doses of hydrocortisone based on the conditions experienced:
Condition: Dermatosis (a certain condition or disease on the surface of the skin)
- Mature
Dosage: Hydrocortisone 0.1–2.5% in the form of cream, ointment, or lotion is applied to areas of skin that have dermatosis, 1-2 times a day.
Condition: Arthritis
- MatureDosage: 5–50 mg by injection directly into the joint (intra-articular)
Condition: Soft tissue inflammation
- MatureDosage: 100–200 mg by injection directly into the inflamed area
Condition: Acute adrenocortical hormone deficiency
- Mature
Dosage: 100-500 mg by injection through a vein (intravenous/IV) 3-4 times a day.
- Children
Dosage for children aged 1–5 years: 50 mg IV
Dosage for children aged 6–12 years: 100 mg IV
Condition: Replacement therapy for acute adrenocortical hormone deficiency
- Mature
Dosage: 20-30 mg tablets per day, divided into 2 doses
- ChildrenDose: 400–800 mkg/BW tablet per day, divided into 2–3 doses
How to use Hydrocortisone correctly
Use hydrocortisone as directed by your doctor. Before using tablets or ointments, don't forget to read the description on the packaging. Hydrocortisone injection should only be given by a doctor or medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor.
If using hydrocortisone ointment, cream, or lotion, apply enough of the medication to evenly coat the skin. Do not forget to always wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
Avoid covering areas that have been treated with hydrocortisone with a cloth, tape, or gauze. This can cause the skin to absorb more of the applied medication, increasing the potential for side effects.
Hydrocortisone tablets need to be taken with food. If you forget to take hydrocortisone in tablet form, do it as soon as you remember if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Do not use hydrocortisone for more than the time recommended by your doctor. Avoid stopping hydrocortisone suddenly because it can cause side effects.
Store hydrocortisone tightly in the package, place it in a room temperature place that is not humid and hot. Keep the medicine away from sunlight and keep out of reach of children.
Hydrocortisone Interactions with Other Drugs
There are several interactions that can occur if hydrocortisone is used in combination with other drugs, including:
- Increased risk of hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar level) and hypokalemia when used with thiazides
- Increased risk of peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding when used with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Decreased levels of antimuscarinic drugs or salicylates
- Decreased effectiveness of hydrocortisone when used with carbamazepine, phenytoin, pyrimidone, barbiturates, or rifampicin
- Decreased effectiveness of hydrocortisone when used with estrogen and oral contraceptives
- Increased blood levels of both drugs when hydrocortisone is used with ciclosporin
In addition, hydrocortisone can also inhibit the absorption of calcium, for example when taking this drug with milk.
Side Effects and Dangers Hydrocortisone
Some of the side effects that can occur after using hydrocortisone are:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache or dizziness
- Appetite increases
- Skin disorders, such as dry or thin skin, stretch marks, acne appears, or skin blood vessels burst
Long-term use of hydrocortisone tablets can also make menstrual cycles irregular, accelerate hair growth on the skin, and cause fat accumulation on the face (moon face). Check with your doctor if you experience these side effects.
See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or side effects to watch out for, such as:
- Decreased frequency of urination
- Visual disturbances, such as blurry vision
- Mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or mood swings (mood swings)
- Sleep disturbance
- Palpitations or arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
- Unusual feeling of tiredness and weakness
- Difficult to breathe
- Bloody or black stools
- Severe stomach ache
- Easy bruising
- Swelling in the soles of the feet or lower legs
- Symptoms of infection, such as fever, sore throat, cough, or runny nose
- Pain in the arms, legs, hips, back, or ribs
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid drug class. If you use this medicine for a long time, do not stop using it suddenly because it can cause side effects. Your doctor will reduce the dose of this drug gradually.