cortisone

Do not take cortisone if you have a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Cortisone weakens your 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 cortisone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Cortisone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether cortisone will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Cortisone passes into breast milk. Do not take cortisone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take cortisone exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than is prescribed for you. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take cortisone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

If you are taking one dose daily, take that dose before 9 a.m. if possible, to follow your 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 cortisone 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 cortisone in the case of an emergency.

Store cortisone 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 dose you missed 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 one you missed plus the regularly scheduled dose) when it is time for your 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 cortisone and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your 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 cortisone 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 of cortisone, 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 cortisone 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 cortisone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking cortisone in the case of an emergency.

Use alcohol cautiously. Acting together, alcohol and cortisone can be damaging to the stomach.

Avoid sources of infection. Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from the mouth and eyes. Your immune system may be weakened while taking cortisone.

Do not receive any immunizations during treatment with cortisone without first talking to your doctor.

Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications, including herbal products, during treatment with cortisone without first talking to your doctor. Many other medicines can interact with cortisone 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.