Cortizone

by Global/Vision

Active ingredient: Hydrocortisone sodium succinate

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About Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate

Corticosteroid, Systemic

Uses

Adrenal failure; overwhelming infections (with chemotherapy).

How to take it

Dose should be based on severity of disease and patient response. Adults: Adrenal insufficiency (acute): 100 mg IV bolus, then 300 mg/day in divided doses every 8 hr or as a continuous infusion for 48 hr; once patient is stable change to oral, 50 mg every 8 hr for 6 doses, then taper to 30-50 mg/day in divided doses. Adrenal insufficiency (chronic): Oral: 15-25 mg/day in 2-3 divided doses. One-half to two-thirds of the daily dose in the morning in order to mimic the physiological cortisol secretion pattern. If the twice-daily regimen is utilized, the sec dose should be administered 6-8 hr following the first dose. Anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive: Oral/IM/IV: 15-240 mg every 12 hr.…

Side effects

Endocrine irregularities including menstrual problems, Cushingoid state, adrenal suppression, growth suppression in children. Increased susceptibility to infection, increased severity of infection. Fluid/electrolyte disturbance, hypertension, negative protein, nitrogen and calcium balance. Myopathy, tendon rupture, osteoporosis, osteonecrosis and fractures. Impaired wound healing, sweating, hirsutism, striae, telangiectasia, acne. GI disturbance, peptic ulceration, acute pancreatitis, candidiasis. Psychiatric effects, neurological effects, insomnia. Diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, weight gain, increased appetite. Ocular disturbances including cataracts, raised intraocular pressure,…

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: Systemic fungal infections unless specific anti-infective therapy is used. Head injury, stroke. Precautions: Active infections not controlled by antibiotics. Latent or active amoebiasis. History of TB, septicaemia, symptoms may be masked. Avoid or maintain extreme cautions in chickenpox, measles, psychiatric disorders, renal impairment, hepatic failure, cirrhosis, active peptic ulcer, Myasthaenia gravis, previous steroid myopathy, osteoporosis, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, diabetes, adrenal suppression, hypertension, recent MI, congestive heart failure, thromboembolic disorders, glaucoma,…

Advice

Take oral form with meals. Contact prescriber if there are signs of infection (such as chills, fever, sore throat, injury), swelling of ankles/hands/feet, sudden weight gain (5 lb per week), abdominal pain, difficulty in breathing, dark red or black stools, severe vomiting, weakness, anorexia, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, unusual changes in mood. Avoid alcohol during therapy. Have regular eye examinations if you are on long-term therapy. Carry or wear medical identification if you are on long-term therapy. Avoid highly crowded places to prevent infections. Avoid people with infections especially chicken pox or measles.

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Interactions with Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate

Live vaccines or other vaccines, anticoagulants, hypoglycaemia agents, antihypertensives, diuretics, erythromycin, rifamycin, amphotericin, azole antifungals, ritonavir, cyclosporin, cardiac glycosides. Oestrogens including oral contraceptives, somatropin. Carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, barbiturates. Muscle relaxants, NSAIDs, salicylates, sympathomimetics, mifepristone, methotrexate, theophylline, aprepitant.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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