Indications

Anti-inflammatory agent.Hydrocortisone is indicated for any condition in which rapid and intense corticosteroid effect is required such as:Endocrine disorders; Collagen diseases; Dermatological diseases;  Allergic states;  Gastro-intestinal diseases; Respiratory diseases; Medical emergencies

Dosage and Administration

Usage: This medicine may be administered by intravenous injection, by intravenous infusion, or by intramuscular injection, the preferred method for initial emergency use being intravenous injection. Following the initial emergency period, consideration should be given to employing a longer-acting injectable preparation or an oral preparation.

Dosage: Dosage usually ranges from 100 mg to 500 mg depending on the severity of the condition, administered by intravenous injection over a period of one to ten minutes. This dose may be repeated at intervals of 2, 4 or 6 hours as indicated by the patient's response and clinical condition.

Precautions & Warning:

1.Adrenal cortical atrophy develops during prolonged therapy and may persist for months after stopping treatment

2.Immunosuppressant Effects/Increased Susceptibility to Infections

3.Exposure to measles should be avoided

4.The use of hydrocortisone in active tuberculosis should be restricted to those cases of fulminating or disseminated tuberculosis in which the corticosteroid is used for the management of the disease in conjunction with appropriate antituberculosis regimen

5. Allergic reactions may occur

6. Hepatobiliary disorders, Ocular Effects

7.Care should be taken for patients receiving cardioactive drugs such as digoxin because of steroid induced electrolyte disturbance/potassium loss

8.Osteoporosis ;Hypertension; History of tuberculosis; Glaucoma (or a family history of glaucoma)

9.Corticosteroids, including hydrocortisone, can increase blood glucose, worsen pre-existing diabetes, and predispose those on long-term corticosteroid therapy to diabetes mellitus (or a family history of diabetes).

Contraindications:

1.Hydrocortisone is contraindicated: In patients where there is known hypersensitivity to the active substance or any of the excipients.

2.In patients who have systemic fungal infection unless specific anti-infective therapy is employed.

3.Administration of live or live, attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids.

Adverse Reactions:

1.Infections and infestations:Opportunistic infection

2.Blood and lymphatic system disorders:Leucocytosis

3.Immune system disorders: Drug hypersensitivity; Anaphylactic reaction

4.Endocrine disorders:Cushingoid; Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis suppression; Steroid withdrawal syndrome

5.Metabolism and nutrition disorders: Metabolic acidosis; Sodium retention;Water retention;Alkalosis hypokalaemic; Dyslipidaemia;Glucose tolerance impaired; Increased insulin requirement (or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics); Lipomatosis;Increased appetite;Weight increased

6.Psychiatric disorders: Affective disorders ; Psychotic disorder; Mental disorder

7.Nervous system disorders: Epidural lipomatosis; Benign intracranial hypertension;

Seizure; Amnesia; Cognitive disorder; Dizziness; Headache

8.Eye disorders: Central serous chorioretinopathy ; Cataract; Glaucoma; Exophthalmos

9.Cardiac disorders:Cardiac failure congestive

10.Gastrointestinal disorders:Peptic ulcer ; Intestinal perforation; Gastric haemorrhage

11.Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:Angioedema; Hirsutism

12.Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Muscular weakness; Myalgia; Myopathy; Muscle atrophy; Osteoporosis, Osteonecrosis

13.Reproductive system and breast disorders: Menstruation irregular; Amenorrhoea

Storage instructions:

Store below 25° C.