hydrocortisone

(hye droe kor' ti zone)

hydrocortisone acetate
Dermatologic cream, ointment:
Cortaid with Aloe, Cortef Feminine Itch, Corticaine, Gynecort Female
Creme, Lanacort-5, Lanacort-10, Maximum Strength Caldecort, Maximum
Strength Cortaid

hydrocortisone butyrate
Dermatologic ointment and cream:
Locoid

hydrocortisone cypionate
Oral suspension:
Aquacort (CAN), Cortate (CAN), Cortef, Hycort (CAN), Texacort (CAN)

hydrocortisone sodium phosphate

IV, IM, or SC injection:
Hydrocortone phosphate

hydrocortisone sodium succinate

IV, IM injection:
A-hydroCort, Solu-Cortef

hydrocortisone valerate
Dermatologic cream, ointment, lotion:
Westcort

Pregnancy Category C

Drug classes
Corticosteroid, short acting
Glucocorticoid
Adrenal cortical steroid
Hormonal agent

Therapeutic actions
Enters target cells and binds to cytoplasmic receptors; initiates many complex reactions
that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive (glucocorticoid), and
salt-retaining (mineralocorticoid) actions. Some actions may be undesirable, depending
on drug use.
Indications
• Replacement therapy in adrenal cortical insufficiency
• Allergic states—severe or incapacitating allergic conditions
• Hypercalcemia associated with cancer
• Short-term inflammatory and allergic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis,
collagen diseases (SLE), dermatologic diseases (pemphigus), status asthmaticus,
and autoimmune disorders
• Hematologic disorders—thrombocytopenic purpura, erythroblastopenia
• Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement
• Ulcerative colitis, acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis, and palliation in some
leukemias and lymphomas
• Intra-articular or soft-tissue administration: Arthritis, psoriatic plaques
• Retention enema: For ulcerative colitis, proctitis
• Dermatologic preparations: To relieve inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of
dermatoses that are steroid responsive
• Anorectal cream, suppositories: To relieve discomfort of hemorrhoids and
perianal itching or irritation

Contraindications and cautions

Systemic administration
• Contraindicated with fungal infections, amebiasis, hepatitis B, vaccinia, or
varicella, and antibiotic-resistant infections.
• Use cautiously with kidney disease (risk to edema); liver disease, cirrhosis,
hypothyroidism; ulcerative colitis with impending perforation; diverticulitis;
recent GI surgery; active or latent peptic ulcer; inflammatory bowel disease (risks
exacerbations or bowel perforation); hypertension, CHF; thromboembolitic
tendencies, thrombophlebitis, osteoporosis, seizure disorders, metastatic
carcinoma, diabetes mellitus; TB; lactation.
Retention enemas, intrarectal foam
• Contraindicated with systemic fungal infections, recent intestinal surgery,
extensive fistulas.
• Use cautiously with pregnancy.
Topical dermatologic administration
• Contraindicated with fungal, tubercular, herpes simplex skin infections; vaccinia,
varicella; ear application when eardrum is perforated.
• Use cautiously with pregnancy, lactation.

Available forms
Tablets—5, 10, 20 mg; oral suspension—10 mg/5 mL, 25, 50 mg/mL; injection—50
mg/mL, 100, 250, 500, 1,000 mg/vial; topical lotion—1%, 2%, 2.5%; topical liquid—
1%; topical oil—1%; topical solution—1%; topical spray—1%; cream—0.5%

Dosages
ADULTS
Individualize dosage, based on severity and response. Give daily dose before 9 AM to
minimize adrenal suppression. If long-term therapy is needed, alternate-day therapy
should be considered. After long-term therapy, withdraw drug slowly to avoid adrenal
insufficiency. For maintenance therapy, reduce initial dose in small increments at
intervals until lowest clinically satisfactory dose is reached.
IM, IV (hydrocortisone sodium succinate)
100–500 mg initially and q 2–10 hr, based on condition and response.
• Acute adrenal insufficiency (hydrocortisone sodium phosphate): 100 mg IV
followed by 100 mg q 8 hr in IV fluids.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
Individualize dosage based on severity and response rather than on formulae that correct
adult doses for age or weight. Carefully observe growth and development in infants and
children on prolonged therapy.
Oral (hydrocortisone and cypionate)
20–240 mg/day in single or divided doses.
ADULTS AND PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
IV, IM or SC (hydrocortisone and hydrocortisone sodium phosphate)
20–240 mg/day usually in divided doses q 12 hr.
IM, IV (hydrocortisone sodium succinate)
Reduce dose, based on condition and response, but give no less than 25 mg/day.
• Retention enema (hydrocortisone): 100 mg nightly for 21 days.
Intrarectal foam (hydrocortisone acetate)
1 applicator daily or bid for 2 wk and every second day thereafter.
Intra-articular, intralesional (hydrocortisone acetate)
5–25 mg, depending on joint or soft-tissue injection site.
Topical dermatologic preparations
Apply sparingly to affected area bid–qid.

Pharmacokinetics
Route Onset Peak Duration
Oral 1–2 hr 1–2 hr 1–1.5 days
IM Rapid 4–8 hr 1–1.5 days
IV Immediate Unknown 1–1.5 days
PR Slow 3–5 days 4–6 days

Metabolism: Hepatic; T1/2: 80–120 min

Distribution: Crosses placenta; enters breast milk
Excretion: Urine

IV facts
Preparation: Give directly or dilute in normal saline or D5W. Administer within 24 hr of
diluting
Infusion: Inject slowly, directly or dilute, and infuse hydrocortisone phosphate at a rate
of 25 mg/min; hydrocortisone sodium succinate at rate of each 500 mg over 30–60 sec.
Incompatibilities: Do not mix or inject at Y-site with amobarbital, ampicillin,
bleomycin, dimenhydrinate, doxapram, doxorubicin, ephedrine, ergotamine, heparin,
hydralazine, metaraminol, methicillin, nafcillin, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, phenytoin,
prochloperazine, promethazine, secobarbital, tetracyclines.
Adverse effects
Systemic
• CNS: Vertigo, headache, paresthesias, insomnia, convulsions, psychosis
• CV: Hypotension, shock, hypertension and CHF secondary to fluid retention,
thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, fat embolism, cardiac arrhythmias
secondary to electrolyte disturbances
• Dermatologic: Thin, fragile skin; petechiae; ecchymoses; purpura; striae;
subcutaneous fat atrophy
• EENT: Cataracts, glaucoma (long-term therapy), increased IOP
• Endocrine: Amenorrhea, irregular menses, growth retardation, decreased
carbohydrate tolerance and diabetes mellitus, cushingoid state (long-term
therapy), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) suppression systemic with
therapy longer than 5 days
• GI: Peptic or esophageal ulcer, pancreatitis, abdominal distention, nausea,
vomiting, increased appetite and weight gain (long-term therapy)
• Hematologic: Na+ and fluid retention, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, increased
blood sugar, increased serum cholesterol, decreased serum T1 and T4 levels
• Hypersensitivity: Anaphylactoid or hypersensitivity reactions
• Musculoskeletal: Muscle weakness, steroid myopathy and loss of muscle mass,
osteoporosis, spontaneous fractures (long-term therapy)
• Other: Immunosuppression, aggravation or masking of infections, impaired
wound healing
Adverse effects related to specific routes of administration
• IM repository injections: Atrophy at injection site
• Intra-articular: Osteonecrosis, tendon rupture, infection
• Intralesional therapy, head and neck: Blindness (rare)
• Intraspinal: Meningitis, adhesive arachnoiditis, conus medullaris syndrome
• Intrathecal administration: Arachnoiditis
• Retention enema: Local pain, burning; rectal bleeding; systemic absorption and
adverse effects (see Systemic Adverse Effects)
• Topical dermatologic ointments, creams, sprays: Local burning, irritation,
acneiform lesions, striae, skin atrophy

Interactions
Drug-drug
• Increased steroid blood levels with hormonal contraceptives, troleandomycin,
ketoconazole, estrogen
• Decreased steroid blood levels with phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampin,
cholestyramine
• Decreased serum level of salicylates
• Decreased effectiveness of anticholinesterases (ambenonium, edrophonium,
neostigmine, pyridostigmine), ketoconazole, estrogen
Drug-lab test
• False-negative nitroblue-tetrazolium test for bacterial infection (with systemic
absorption)
• Suppression of skin test reactions
• May decrease serum potassium levels, T3, and T4 levels

Nursing considerations
Assessment
• History: Infections; kidney disease; liver disease, hypothyroidism; ulcerative
colitis with impending perforation; diverticulitis; recent GI surgery; active or
latent peptic ulcer; inflammatory bowel disease; hypertension, CHF;
thromboembolitic tendencies, thrombophlebitis, osteoporosis, seizure disorders,
metastatic carcinoma, diabetes mellitus; lactation. Retention enemas, intrarectal
foam: Systemic fungal infections; recent intestinal surgery, extensive fistulas.
Topical dermatologic administration: Fungal, tubercular, herpes simplex skin
infections; vaccinia, varicella; ear application when eardrum is perforated
• Physical: Systemic administration: Weight, T; reflexes, affect, bilateral grip
strength, ophthalmologic exam; BP, P, auscultation, peripheral perfusion,
discoloration, pain or prominence of superficial vessels; R, adventitious sounds,
chest x-ray; upper GI x-ray (history or symptoms of peptic ulcer), liver palpation;
CBC, serum electrolytes, 2-hr postprandial blood glucose, urinalysis, thyroid
function tests, serum cholesterol. Topical, dermatologic preparations: Affected
area, integrity of skin

Interventions
Systemic administration
• Give daily before 9 AM to mimic normal peak diurnal corticosteroid levels and
minimize HPA suppression.
• Space multiple doses evenly throughout the day.
• Do not give IM injections if patient has thrombocytopenic purpura.
• Rotate sites of IM repository injections to avoid local atrophy.
• Use minimal doses for minimal duration to minimize adverse effects.
• Taper doses when discontinuing high-dose or long-term therapy.
• Arrange for increased dosage when patient is subject to unusual stress.
• Use alternate-day maintenance therapy with short-acting corticosteroids whenever
possible.
• Do not give live virus vaccines with immunosuppressive doses of hydrocortisone.
• Provide antacids between meals to help avoid peptic ulcer.
Topical dermatologic administration
• Use caution with occlusive dressings; tight or plastic diapers over affected area
can increase systemic absorption.
• Avoid prolonged use, especially near eyes, in genital and rectal areas, on face, and
in skin creases.

Teaching points
Systemic administration
• Take this drug exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking this drug without
notifying your health care provider; slowly taper dosage to avoid problems.
• Take with meals or snacks if GI upset occurs.
• Take single daily or alternate-day doses before 9 AM; mark calendar or use other
measures as reminder of treatment days.
• Do not overuse joint after intra-articular injections, even if pain is gone.
• Frequent follow-ups to your health care provider are needed to monitor drug
response and adjust dosage.
• Wear a medical alert ID (long-term therapy) so that any emergency medical
personnel will know that you are taking this drug.
• These side effects may occur: Increase in appetite, weight gain (some of gain may
be fluid retention; monitor intake); heartburn, indigestion (eat frequent small
meals; use of antacids may help); increased susceptibility to infection (avoid
crowds during peak cold or flu seasons, and avoid anyone with a known
infection); poor wound healing (if injured or wounded, consult health care
provider); muscle weakness, fatigue (frequent rest periods may help).
• Report unusual weight gain, swelling of lower extremities, muscle weakness,
black or tarry stools, vomiting of blood, epigastric burning, puffing of face,
menstrual irregularities, fever, prolonged sore throat, cold or other infection,
worsening of symptoms.
• Dosage reductions may create adrenal insufficiency. Report any fatigue, muscle
and joint pains, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, weakness,
dizziness, low blood sugar (if you monitor blood sugar).
Intra-articular, intralesional administration
• Do not overuse the injected joint even if the pain is gone. Adhere to rules of
proper rest and exercise.
Topical dermatologic administration
• Apply sparingly, and rub in lightly
• Avoid contacting your eye with the medication.
• Report burning, irritation, or infection of the site, worsening of the condition.
• Avoid prolonged use.
Anorectal preparations
• Maintain normal bowel function with proper diet, adequate fluid intake, and
regular exercise.
• Use stool softeners or bulk laxatives if needed.
• Notify your health care provider if symptoms do not improve in 7 days or if
bleeding, protrusion, or seepage occurs.

Adverse effects in Italic are most common; those in Bold are life-threatening.