How does Hydrocortisone (Hydrocortisone) work:

Hydrocortisone tablet is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid. It is derivative of the corticosteroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone that are produced naturally by the adrenal glands.

As a corticosteroid, Hydrocortisone is often simply called steroids, but it should be noted that they are very different from another group of steroids, called anabolic steroids, which have gained notoriety because of their abuse by some athletes and body builders.

Hydrocortisone is used as replacement therapy for people whose adrenal glands do not produce sufficient amounts of natural steroid hormones. For example, Addison`s disease, following surgical removal of the adrenal glands, or in people with an underactive pituitary gland (hypopituitarism).

Dosage & Administration:

Follow the instruction label carefully. Take Hydrocortisone as prescribed by your physician.

Hydrocortisone is usually given in two daily doses, the larger in the morning and the smaller in the evening, to mimic the natural production of corticosteroids by the body.

Do not stop taking Hydrocortisone suddenly, particularly if you have been taking for longer than three weeks, unless your physician tells you otherwise.

Side Effects:

• raised blood sugar level
• increased appetite
• weight gain
• indigestion
• abdominal bloating
• nausea
• ulceration in the stomach or intestine
• pancreatitis
• thrush infection in the throat
• muscle weakness
• osteoporosis
• skin thinning
• increased sweating
• change in pigmentation
• increased hair growth
• mood changes
• menstrual disturbances
• water retention
• increased blood pressure (hypertension)
• decrease in level of potassium in blood
• glaucoma or cataracts
• intracranial pressure
• thromboembolism

Precautions:

Hydrocortisone should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your physician or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

Do not take Hydrocortisone if you have widespread fungal infection, hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Before taking Hydrocortisone always inform your physician if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding.

Cautions should be taken if you are children or elderly, or in the following conditions:

• decreased kidney function
• liver failure or liver cirrhosis
• active peptic ulcer
• ulcerative colitis
• diverticulitis
• intestinal anastomosis
• thrombophlebitis
• metastatic carcinoma
• heart failure or heart attack
• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• diabetes (or a family history of diabetes)
• underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
• epilepsy
• glaucoma
• psychiatric illness
• osteoporosis
• women who have passed the menopause
• muscle disorders (myopathy)
• a history of tuberculosis (TB)
• herpes simplex virus infection of the eye
• parasitic infections such as amoebiasis and strongyloidiasis
• malaria affecting the brain (cerebral malaria)
• low level of potassium in their blood (hypokalaemia)