Cortef

The dose of Cortef (Hydrocortisone) (tablets) varies greatly according to the condition being treated and individual circumstances. Cortef (Hydrocortisone) should be taken with food to reduce the chance of an upset stomach. Once the condition being treated is controlled, the lowest dose needed to control symptoms should be used.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Cortef (Hydrocortisone) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Cortef (Hydrocortisone) at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may increase your appetite; it may cause unwanted hair growth; it may cause indigestion; it may cause sleep disturbances or insomnia; it may cause nervousness or anxiety; it could cause water retention and swelling. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

10 mg
Each white, round, scored, compressed tablet, engraved "CORTEF 10", contains 10 mg of Cortef (Hydrocortisone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium stearate, cornstarch, lactose, mineral oil, sorbic acid, sucrose, and trace amounts of sodium. Gluten- and tartrazine-free.

20 mg
Each white, round, scored, compressed tablet, engraved "CORTEF 20", contains 20 mg of Cortef (Hydrocortisone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium stearate, cornstarch, lactose, mineral oil, sorbic acid, sucrose, and trace amounts of sodium. Gluten- and tartrazine-free.

Do not take Cortef (Hydrocortisone) tablets if you:

• are allergic to Cortef (Hydrocortisone) or to any of the ingredients of the medication
• have a fungal infection in the lungs or other organs within the body
• have herpes simplex of the eye, except as short-term or emergency therapy as in acute sensitivity reactions
• have vaccinia or varicella, except when used for short-term or emergency therapy as in acute sensitivity reactions
• will be given a live virus vaccine (e.g., Measles, Mumps, rubella, yellow Fever, BCG) and are taking large immunosuppressive doses of Cortef (Hydrocortisone)

There may be an interaction between Cortef (Hydrocortisone) (tablets) and any of the following:

• Aldesleukin
• Amiodarone
• amphotericin B
• androgens (e.g., testosterone)
• antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide)
• anticholinesterases (e.g., edrophonium, neostigmine, pyridostigmine)
• Aprepitant
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• BCG vaccine
• Calcitriol
• calcium carbonate
• Carbamazepine
• Carvedilol
• Celecoxib
• Cholestyramine
• Cladribine
• Cobicistat
• Colestipol
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Deferasirox
• diabetes medications (e.g., chlorpropamide, Glyburide, insulin, Metformin, Rosiglitazone, Saxagliptin)
• Diltiazem
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• Donepezil
• Dronedarone
• echinacea
• Enzalutamide
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol; including estrogen-containing birth control pills)
• Fingolimod
• Galantamine
• grapefruit juice
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, darunavir, lopinavir, ritonavir)
• Indacaterol
• isoniazid
• Ivacaftor
• Lapatinib
• Leflunomide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• mifepristone
• Mirabegron
• Mitotane
• Natalizumab
• nelfinavir
• neuromuscular blockers (e.g., atracurium, pancuronium, vecuronium)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, Naproxen)
• Ocrelizumab
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Pimecrolimus
• primidone
• quinidine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• rifampin
• Rivastigmine
• salicylates (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid [Asa])
• sodium bicarbonate
• Somatropin
• St. John's wort
• Tacrolimus
• Tofacitinib
• Trastuzumab
• vaccines (e.g., yellow fever, BCG, measles, mumps, rubella)
• velpatasvir
• Verapamil
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Cortef (Hydrocortisone). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Cortef (Hydrocortisone).

Blood pressure: Cortef (Hydrocortisone) can increase blood pressure, especially when high doses are used. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure closely while you are taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone). Your doctor may suggest diet changes or other measures to keep your blood pressure under control. People with high blood pressure should discuss with their doctor how Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortef (Hydrocortisone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Diabetes: Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may worsen blood sugar control for people with diabetes. If you have diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortef (Hydrocortisone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Heart disease: Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may cause blood pressure to increase. Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may also cause cholesterol levels to increase. If you have a heart condition or are at risk of developing heart problems, discuss with your doctor how Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortef (Hydrocortisone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Illness and surgery: People who take Cortef (Hydrocortisone), or have taken other corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone) in the last several months, may need additional corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) during times of any unusual stress, such as trauma, surgery, or infection.

Infections: When taken by mouth, Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may mask some signs of infection and put people at increased risk for new infections. Viral infections such as Chickenpox, measles, or herpes can be more serious for people who are taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone). Children and adults who have not had these diseases should take particular care to avoid exposure. If you are exposed to these infections, contact your doctor.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Cortef (Hydrocortisone) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortef (Hydrocortisone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Medical records: Let all health professionals involved in your care know that you have been taking a corticosteroid.

Mental health: Like other corticosteroids, Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may cause behaviour and personality changes and mood swings. These reactions are most likely to occur when you first start taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone). If you experience these symptoms or notice them in a family member who is taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone), contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Myasthenia Gravis: Myasthenia gravis is a condition that causes specific muscle weakness. Cortef (Hydrocortisone) can cause muscle wasting, decreasing muscle. If you have myasthenia gravis, discuss with your doctor how Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortef (Hydrocortisone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Osteoporosis: Cortef (Hydrocortisone) can increase the risk of osteoporosis (brittle bones). Talk to your doctor about ways to help prevent osteoporosis. Your doctor will monitor your bone density if you take Cortef (Hydrocortisone) for a long period of time.

Steroid medication use: If you have taken or are still taking an oral steroid medication (e.g., prednisone) during the last several months, consult your doctor before using Cortef (Hydrocortisone). If you experience symptoms such as tiredness, headache, nausea, or vomiting while taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone), contact your doctor.

Stomach and intestinal problems: If you have or have had a stomach or intestinal ulcer, or have ulcerative colitis, discuss with your doctor how Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortef (Hydrocortisone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Stopping the medication: When stopping Cortef (Hydrocortisone) after having used it for a long time, reduce the dose slowly as prescribed by your doctor. Stopping the medication too quickly could lead to symptoms including fever, muscle, and joint pain, and a general feeling of being unwell.

Thyroid disease: Decreased thyroid function may affect how your body handles Cortef (Hydrocortisone). If you have a history of thyroid disease, discuss with your doctor how Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortef (Hydrocortisone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Tuberculosis: Corticosteroids, such as Cortef (Hydrocortisone), can cause tuberculosis infection to flare up. If you have had tuberculosis, discuss with your doctor how Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Cortef (Hydrocortisone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Vaccines: Live vaccines (e.g., BCG, yellow fever, measles, mumps, rubella) should not be given to people taking doses of Cortef (Hydrocortisone) that are enough to suppress the immune system. Killed or inactivated vaccines may not be as effective for people who are taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone).

Vision problems: Long-term use of Cortef (Hydrocortisone) can cause Glaucoma and Cataracts. If you notice changes in your vision, such as faded colours, halos around lights, or blurred vision, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss and should be treated as early as possible.

Pregnancy: Cortef (Hydrocortisone) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Cortef (Hydrocortisone) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: Long-term treatment with Cortef (Hydrocortisone) may suppress growth and development in children. Your child's growth should be monitored while they are taking Cortef (Hydrocortisone).

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It is not advisable to stop using this product suddenly, particularly if you have been on it for several weeks. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk to your pharmacist first. This product is more effective when taken on an empty stomach. However if you experience stomach problems, you may take it with food. As it may irritate the stomach, try to avoid irritating foods such as coffee, spicy food and alcohol.