Do not take hydrocortisone if you have a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Hydrocortisone weakens the body’s immune response and thus its ability to fight infection.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease;
-
high blood pressure or heart disease;
-
ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, or stomach ulcers;
-
hypothyroidism;
-
a psychiatric condition;
-
osteoporosis;
-
myasthenia gravis;
-
diabetes mellitus; or
-
any other medical conditions.
You may not be able to take hydrocortisone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Hydrocortisone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether hydrocortisone will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Hydrocortisone passes into breast milk. Do not take hydrocortisone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take hydrocortisone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each oral dose with a full glass of water.
Take oral hydrocortisone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose.
Measure the liquid with the dropper provided or with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup. Ask your pharmacist for a dose-measuring spoon if you do not have one.
Hydrocortisone may also be administered as an injection. Your healthcare provider will administer the injection or will give you detailed instructions regarding how to inject the medication at home.
If you are taking one dose daily, take that dose before 9 a.m. if possible, to follow the body’s natural cycle. If you take more than one dose daily, space the doses evenly throughout the day as directed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking hydrocortisone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.
Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking hydrocortisone in the case of an emergency.
Store hydrocortisone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you take one dose daily, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if you don’t remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take only the regular daily dose.
If you take more than one dose daily, you can either take the missed dose as soon as you remember, or you can take two doses (the missed dose plus the regularly scheduled dose) when it is time for the next dose.
If you take one dose every other day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular every-other-day schedule.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking hydrocortisone and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred vision); or
-
sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take hydrocortisone and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
insomnia;
-
nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
-
fatigue or dizziness;
-
muscle weakness or joint pain;
-
problems with diabetes control; or
-
increased hunger or thirst.
Other side effects that occur only rarely, usually with high doses or prolonged use of hydrocortisone may include
-
acne;
-
increased hair growth;
-
thinning of the skin,
-
cataracts;
-
glaucoma;
-
osteoporosis;
-
roundness of the face; and
-
changes in behavior.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Do not stop taking hydrocortisone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.
Take oral hydrocortisone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking hydrocortisone in the case of an emergency.
Use alcohol cautiously. Acting together, alcohol and hydrocortisone can be damaging to the stomach.
Avoid sources of infection. Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from the mouth and eyes. The immune system may be weakened while taking hydrocortisone.
Do not receive any immunizations during treatment with hydrocortisone without first talking to your doctor.
Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, during treatment with hydrocortisone without first talking to your doctor. Many other medicines can interact with hydrocortisone resulting in side effects or altered effectiveness of the medications.
Seek emergency medical attention. A single large dose of this medication is unlikely to cause symptoms or death. An overdose is more likely to be caused by a chronic overdose—large doses taken over a period of time.
Symptoms of an overdose include obesity (especially around the stomach); a round face; increased hair growth (especially around the face); acne; bruising; increased blood pressure; swollen hands, feet, or ankles (fluid retention); and sore or weak muscles.