hydrocortisone

1. A steroid hormone, C₂₁H₃₀O₅, produced by the adrenal cortex, that regulates carbohydrate metabolism and maintains blood pressure. Also called cortisol.
2. A preparation of this hormone obtained from natural sources or produced synthetically and used to treat inflammatory conditions and adrenal failure.

A steroid hormone secreted by the outer part of the adrenal gland. It is released during stress reactions and has strong anti-inflammatory actions. It has been used in the treatment of sports injuries, but injection directly into a damaged structure (e.g. an inflamed Achilles tendon) can do more harm than good. Consequently, injections are administered around rather than into tendons and ligaments. There is an increased risk of ligament and tendon rupture if vigorous physical activities are performed within 48 hours of a steroid injection. Hydrocortisone is on the International Olympic Committee's list of restricted substances.

(cortisol), a glucocorticosteroid secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to stimulation by ACTH. Hydrocortisone is antianabolic, stimulates gluconeogenesis, and probably acts on some cellular system in response to a need for adaptation to change (stress).

Brand names: A-hydroCort®Ala-Cort®Ala-Scalpt®Anu-Med™ HCAnucort®-HCAnusert® HC-1Anusol HC-1®Anusol®-HCAnusol-HC®Aquanil® HCBeta® HCCaldecort®Caldecort® LightCetacort®Colocort™Cortaid®Cortef®Cortenema®Corticaine®Corticreme®Cortifoam®Cortizone For Kids™Cortizone®-10Cortizone®-10 PlusCortizone®-5Cortizone-10 Quick Shot®Cortizone-10®Cortizone-10® ExternalDermarest® DricortDermolate®Dermtex® HCEncort™First®-HydrocortisoneGenasone/Aloe®Gly-Cort™Glycort™Hemorrhoidal SuppositoriesHemorrhoidal-HC®Hemril®-HCHi-Cor®Hycort™HydrocortisoneHydrocortone®Hydroskin®Hytone®Instacort™ 10Instacort™ GelKeratol™ HCLactiCare®-HCLocoid®Massengill® Medicated Soft ClothNeutrogena® T-ScalpNupercainal® HC 1%Nutracort®NuZon®Pandel®Penecort®Preparation H® HydrocortisoneProcort®Procto-Kit™Procto-Pak™Proctocort®ProctoCream® HCProctosert™ HCProctosol-HC®Proctozone® HCProctozone®-HRecort® PlusRectasol-HC™Sarnol® HCScalp-Cort®Solu-Cortef®Texacort™Tucks® HC-1Westcort®Yeast-X® External

Chemical formula:

Drug Forms:
• Hydrocortisone Topical lotion (below)
• Hydrocortisone Topical cream
• Hydrocortisone Probutate Topical cream
• Hydrocortisone Acetate Rectal suppository
• Hydrocortisone Topical ointment
• Hydrocortisone Rectal cream
• Hydrocortisone Valerate Topical cream
• Hydrocortisone Valerate Topical ointment
• Hydrocortisone Acetate Topical cream
• Hydrocortisone Topical gel
• Hydrocortisone Butyrate Topical solution
• Hydrocortisone tablets
• Hydrocortisone injection
• Hydrocortisone rectal aerosol foam or enema
• Hydrocortisone Topical solution
• Hydrocortisone Oral tablet
• Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate Solution for injection
• Hydrocortisone Acetate Rectal foam
• Hydrocortisone Acetate Topical gel
• Hydrocortisone Acetate Topical lotion
• Hydrocortisone Butyrate Topical cream
• Hydrocortisone Butyrate Topical Lipocream
• Hydrocortisone Butyrate Topical lotion
• Hydrocortisone Butyrate Topical ointment
• Hydrocortisone Rectal enema, suspension
• Hydrocortisone Topical solution, spray

Español:
• Hidrocortisona, Loción tópica
• Hidrocortisona, Crema tópica
• Probutato De Hidrocortisona, Crema tópica
• Hidrocortisona Acetato, Supositorio rectal
• Hidrocortisona, Pomada tópica
• Hidrocortisona, Crema rectal
• Hidrocortisona Valerato, Crema tópica
• Hidrocortisona Valerato, Pomada tópica
• Hidrocortisona Acetato, Crema tópica
• Hidrocortisona, Gel tópico
• Hidrocortisona Butirato, Solución tópica
• Tabletas de hidrocortisona
• Inyección de hidrocortisona
• Enema o espuma rectal en aerosol de hidrocortisona
• Hidrocortisona, Solución tópica
• Hidrocortisona, Tableta oral
• Hidrocortisona Succinato Sódico , Solución para inyección
• Acetato de hidrocortisona, Espuma rectal
• Hidrocortisona Acetato, Gel tópico
• Hidrocortisona Acetato, Loción tópica
• Hidrocortisona Butirato, Crema tópica
• Hidrocortisona Butirato, Crema lipo tópica
• Butirato De Hidrocortisona, Loción tópica
• Hidrocortisona Butirato, Pomada tópica
• Hidrocortisona, Enema rectal, suspensión
• Hidrocortisona, Solución tópica, aerosol

Hydrocortisone Topical lotion

What is this medicine?

HYDROCORTISONE (hye droe KOR ti sone) is a corticosteroid. It is used on the skin to reduce swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions.
 
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•any active infection
•diabetes
•large areas of burned or damaged skin
•skin wasting or thinning
•an unusual or allergic reaction to hydrocortisone, corticosteroids, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for external use only. Do not take by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash your hands before and after use. Apply a thin film of medicine to the affected area. Do not cover with a bandage or dressing unless your doctor or health care professional tells you to. Do not use on healthy skin or over large areas of skin. Do not get this medicine in your eyes. If you do, rinse out with plenty of cool tap water. Do not to use more medicine than prescribed. Do not use your medicine more often than directed or for more than 14 days.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Do not use this medicine for the treatment of diaper rash unless directed to do so by your doctor or health care professional. If applying this medicine to the diaper area of a child, do not cover with tight-fitting diapers or plastic pants. This may increase the amount of medicine that passes through the skin and increase the risk of serious side effects.

Elderly patients are more likely to have damaged skin through aging, and this may increase side effects. This medicine should only be used for brief periods and infrequently in older patients.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What may interact with this medicine?

Interactions are not expected. Do not use any other skin products on the affected area without asking your doctor or health care professional.

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better within 7 days or if they get worse.

Tell your doctor or health care professional if you are exposed to anyone with measles or chickenpox, or if you develop sores or blisters that do not heal properly.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
•burning feeling on the skin
•dark red spots on the skin
•infection
•lack of healing of skin condition
•painful, red, pus filled blisters in hair follicles
•thinning of the skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
•dry skin, irritation
•unusual increased growth of hair on the face or body

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Last updated: 8/11/2004 1:17:00 PM

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.

The main glucocorticosteroid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to intense exercise and stress. It has a strong anti-inflammatory action and helps to regulate the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. It helps to make fuels more available for energy production by increasing gluconeogenesis, the mobilization of free fatty acids, and the breakdown of proteins. Overtraining might impair cortisol levels and increase susceptibility to stress. Hydrocortisone is a common ingredient of medicines used to treat skin complaints, such as rashes. However, hydrocortisone, as a glucocorticosteroid, is on the World Anti-Doping Agency‘s 2005 Prohibited List and its use by athletes requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption.

Hydrocortisone

The pharmaceutical term for cortisol, the principal glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal gland; it is used in the treatment of inflammations, allergies, pruritus, collagen diseases, adrenocortical insufficiency, and certain neoplasms. The soluble salts, sodium succinate and sodium phosphate, are used intravenously in the treatment of shock.