Hydrocortisone

The label describes hydrocortisone tablets for endocrine disorders, including primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. It is also described as short-term add-on therapy for rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and gouty arthritis.

The list also covers collagen diseases such as lupus, and severe skin diseases such as pemphigus and severe psoriasis. The label lists further allergic, eye, breathing and other conditions.

• Adrenal insufficiency
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• Rheumatic disorders
• Lupus and collagen diseases
• Severe skin diseases

The label says hydrocortisone is a natural glucocorticoid used as replacement therapy in adrenal deficiency. Glucocorticoids have wide metabolic effects and modify the body's immune responses.

This page covers the US label for hydrocortisone tablets taken by mouth, with the dosing the label gives for adults.

This is label-level information, not personal advice. Indian pack labels may differ, and your prescriber's instruction always comes first.

The label describes an initial dose from 20 mg to 240 mg of hydrocortisone a day, depending on the condition. Lower doses usually suffice in milder disease, and some people need higher doses.

After a good response, the dose is reduced in small steps to the lowest dose that keeps control. The label stresses that doses are individual and must be monitored.

Extra dose may be needed during unusual stress. If treatment has been long, the label recommends withdrawing gradually and not abruptly.

• Starting dose 20 to 240 mg daily
• Adjusted to the lowest effective dose
• May need more during stress or illness
• Withdraw gradually after long use

The label says it is contraindicated with systemic fungal infections and known hypersensitivity. Corticosteroids suppress the immune system, can hide signs of infection, and can reactivate tuberculosis or hepatitis B.

Chickenpox and measles can be serious in non-immune people. Adrenal suppression can occur, so dose may need raising in stress. In pregnancy, benefits and hazards must be weighed, and babies may need checks for low adrenal function.

• Systemic fungal infection
• Infection and hidden infection signs
• Tuberculosis and hepatitis B reactivation
• Chickenpox and measles exposure
• Adrenal suppression after long use
• Pregnancy: weigh benefit and risk

• Phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin
• Ketoconazole
• Aspirin
• Anticoagulants
• The label says phenobarbital, phenytoin and rifampin can raise clearance and may need higher steroid doses.
• Ketoconazole and troleandomycin can slow its breakdown.
• Corticosteroids can alter chronic high-dose aspirin levels and the effect of anticoagulants, so clotting tests should be monitored.

No match in this label text. Ask your pharmacist about any medicine you take.

The label gives a storage range of 20 to 25 degrees C.

Follow the storage line on your own pack, and keep medicines out of the reach of children.

We did not find hydrocortisone in the Drugs Rules 1945 Schedule H, H1, X or G rows we checked, so we cannot state its Indian prescription status from our lists. Ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Hydrocortisone is on the National List of Essential Medicines 2022. Listed forms include: Oral liquid 0.5 mg/5 mL (p) (page 63); Injection 4 mg/mL (page 63); Tablet 5 mg (page 63); Tablet 10 mg (page 63); Powder for Injection 100 mg (page 63).

NPPA lists ceiling prices for scheduled hydrocortisone formulations. The table shows the rows we found. Check NPPA directly for the current list.

The Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) list we checked has 4 product rows that mention hydrocortisone. We did not capture prices for them.

NPPA ceiling prices set the most a seller can charge per unit for the listed formulations, before local taxes. They are ceilings, not the price you will always pay.

Jan Aushadhi lists hydrocortisone products including Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate Injection IP 100mg 100mg; Hydrocortisone Acetate Cream IP 1% w/w None; Hydrocortisone Tablets 10mg 10mg; Hydrocortisone Tablets 5mg 5mg. We have not shown a price for them. Check the pack and the seller for the actual price.