Hydrocortisone

Before taking hydrocortisone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Hydrocortisone may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Hydrocortisone, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,eye disease (such as cataracts, glaucoma), heart problems (such as heart failure, recent heart attack), high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, stomach/intestinal problems (such as diverticulitis, ulcer), brittle bones (osteoporosis), current/past infections (such as tuberculosis, positive tuberculosis test, herpes, fungal), bleeding problems, blood clots, mental/mood conditions (such as psychosis, anxiety, depression), low salts in the blood (such as low potassium or calcium), seizures. This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol while using this medicine may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using Hydrocortisone or have used Hydrocortisone within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using Hydrocortisone for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of Hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone may mask signs of infection. It can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details. Tell your health care professional that you are using hydrocortisone before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose). Hydrocortisone may slow down a child's growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child's height and growth can be checked. Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of Hydrocortisone, especially bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion). During pregnancy, hydrocortisone should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using Hydrocortisone for an extended period of time may have hormone problems. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn. It is unknown if Hydrocortisone passes into breast milk. However, Hydrocortisone is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.