Hydrocortisone Acetate

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: May 03, 2023

Warnings

Hydrocortisone Acetate Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Hydrocortisone acetate can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about taking other medications for your condition if you are at increased risk of complications from hydrocortisone acetate.

ADRENAL SUPPRESSION: The adrenal glands in the body make natural steroid hormones. Taking external hormones such as hydrocortisone acetate at high doses or for prolonged periods can lead to too much corticosteroid from external sources, which can cause adrenal suppression, where the adrenal glands stop making natural hormones. Young children are at higher risk of this happening. Stress, such as injuries, infections, or illnesses, can also increase the risk. Symptoms of adrenal suppression may include dizziness, low energy, and joint or muscle pain. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed. Do not adjust the dose without your doctor’s approval.
INCREASED RISK OF INFECTIONS: Hydrocortisone acetate suppresses the immune system. Taking this medication for a prolonged time can increase your risk of infections. Also, you may not show the usual signs of infections while on this medicine. Avoid contact with anyone who has infectious conditions such as chicken pox, measles, or shingles. Tell your provider if you have had tuberculosis (TB) in the past. Talk to your doctor before getting vaccines while on hydrocortisone acetate. Your provider may ask you to delay getting live vaccines until you complete treatment.
EYE PROBLEMS: Prolonged use of hydrocortisone acetate increases the risk of eye problems such as infections, cataracts, and glaucoma. Tell your provider if you have herpes simplex of the eye - hydrocortisone may not be right for you. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop eye pain, redness, blurry vision, or other vision changes while on this medicine.
PSYCHIATRIC CHANGES: Corticosteroid medicines such as hydrocortisone acetate can cause mood and behavior changes. Tell your doctor without delay if you develop a depressed mood, anxiety, mood swings, sleep problems, or hallucinations while on this medication.
STOMACH IRRITATION: Hydrocortisone acetate can damage the lining of the stomach and cause stomach ulcers. Tell your doctor if you develop stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or black/tarry stools while on this medicine. Avoid drinking alcohol while on hydrocortisone acetate as it can worsen stomach irritation. The risk of stomach damage is higher in people with a history of ulcerative colitis and those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. Your provider may prescribe an additional medication to protect your stomach if you are going to be on hydrocortisone acetate for a long time.

Precautions Before Starting Hydrocortisone Acetate

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone acetate, any of the active or inactive ingredients in hydrocortisone acetate formulations, other corticosteroids, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Hydrocortisone acetate may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, stomach ulcers, fungal infections, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, myasthenia gravis, mental illness, seizures, eye conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts, liver disease, intestinal disease, heart disease, kidney disease, or thyroid disease.

Tell your health care professional if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor if you have not been vaccinated against chickenpox and measles and have never had these infections. Avoid contact with people who are sick with these infectious diseases. Call your doctor without delay if you develop symptoms of chickenpox or measles while on hydrocortisone acetate.

Precautions During Use of Hydrocortisone Acetate

Keep all your medical and lab appointments while on this medication. Your doctor may want to order certain tests to monitor your condition and adjust your dose accordingly.

Read the prescription label carefully and take the correct dose exactly as prescribed. Do not adjust the dose or the duration of treatment without your doctor’s approval.

Follow your doctor’s advice on eating a low-sodium (low-salt), high-potassium, and high-calcium diet.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on hydrocortisone acetate.

Tell all your doctors you are on hydrocortisone acetate before any surgery, including dental procedures.

Hydrocortisone Acetate Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect how hydrocortisone acetate works. Possible drug interactions with other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects. The following medications can have interactions with hydrocortisone acetate:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve)
Anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital and phenytoin
Antibiotics such as rifampin and troleandomycin
Antifungals such as ketoconazole
Oral anticoagulants

The above list may not describe all the potential interactions of hydrocortisone acetate. Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

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