Drug Info: H: Hydrocortisone Injection

Hydrocortisone Injection

(hye droe kor' ti sone)

Brand name(s): A-hydroCort; Solu-Cortef

About your treatment

Your doctor has ordered hydrocortisone, acorticosteroid, to relieve inflammation (swelling, heat,redness, and pain). The drug will be injected into a largemuscle (such as your buttock or hip), into your vein, or addedto an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle orcatheter placed in your vein.

Hydrocortisone is similar to a naturalhormone produced by your adrenal glands. It is used to treat,but not cure, certain forms of arthritis; asthma; and skin,blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and intestinal disorders. It issometimes used to reduce side effects from other medications.This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; askyour doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Your health care provider (doctor, nurse,or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effectsof your treatment using laboratory tests and physicalexaminations. It is important to keep all appointments withyour doctor. The length of treatment depends on how you respondto the medication.

Precautions

Before administering hydrocortisone,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic tohydrocortisone, medications containing sulfites, or any otherdrugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription andnonprescription medications you are taking, especiallyanticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin(Coumadin), arthritis medications, aspirin, cyclosporine(Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), diuretics ('waterpills'), estrogens, ketoconazole (Nizoral), oralcontraceptives, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin(Rifadin), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have a fungal infection (otherthan on your skin); do not take hydrocortisone withouttalking to your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver,kidney, intestinal, or heart disease; diabetes; anunderactive thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mentalillness; myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eyeinfection; seizures; tuberculosis (TB); AIDS; or ulcers.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to becomepregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant whiletaking hydrocortisone, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tellthe doctor or dentist that you are takinghydrocortisone.

Administering your medication

Before you administer hydrocortisone, lookat the solution closely. It should be clear and free offloating material. Gently squeeze the bag or observe thesolution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not usethe solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, orif the bag or container leaks. Use a new solution, but show thedamaged one to your health care provider.

It is important that you use yourmedication exactly as directed. Do not administer it more oftenthan or for longer periods than your doctor tells you. Do notchange your dosing schedule without talking to your health careprovider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop theinfusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as blockage inthe tubing, needle or catheter); if you have to stop aninfusion, call your health care provider immediately so yourtherapy can continue.

Side effects

Although side effects from hydrocortisoneare not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any ofthese symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• dizziness
• insomnia
• restlessness
• depression
• anxiety
• unusual moods
• increased sweating
• increased hair growth
• reddened face
• acne
• thinned skin
• easy bruising
• tiny purple skin spots
• irregular or absent menstrual periods

If you experience any of the followingsymptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin rash
• swollen feet, ankles, and lower legs
• vision problems
• eye pain
• muscle pain and weakness
• black, tarry stool
• unusual bleeding

Storing your medication

• Your health care provider will probably give you aseveral-day supply of hydrocortisone at a time. You will betold how to prepare each dose.

Store your medication only as directed.Make sure you understand what you need to store your medicationproperly.

Keep your supplies in a clean, dry placewhen you are not using them, and keep all medications andsupplies out of the reach of children. Your health careprovider will tell you how to throw away used needles,syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidentalinjury.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poisoncontrol center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsedor is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Signs of infection

If you are receiving hydrocortisone in yourvein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of acatheter-related infection (an infection where the needleenters your vein or skin). If you experience any of theseeffects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health careprovider as soon as possible:

• tenderness
• warmth
• irritation
• drainage
• redness
• swelling
• pain