What side effects are possible with this medication?

A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.

• burning
• dryness
• irritation
• itching

Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.

Long-term use: Long-term use of this medication over large areas of the body or under dressings that don't breathe could lead to the absorption of hydrocortisone into the body's blood circulation. This could produce effects similar to those seen after taking oral steroid medications, such as prednisone, for long periods of time. These side effects include:

• acne
• cataracts
• diarrhea or constipation
• fluid retention (bloating)
• hallucinations
• increased body hair growth
• increased blood sugar
• increased risk of infections
• irregular menstrual cycles
• nausea
• seizures
• slow healing of wounds
• stomach ulcers
• thin skin
• vomiting

To minimize this possibility with long-term use of this medication, your doctor may have you interrupt treatment periodically or treat one area of the body at a time.

Pregnancy: The safety of this medication in pregnancy has not been established. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor.

Breast-feeding: This medication may pass into breast milk. However it is not known if the amount of hydrocortisone secreted into the breast milk is enough to have an adverse effect on the baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you will need to stop taking hydrocortisone or stop breast-feeding. 

Children: Children are more susceptible to absorption of hydrocortisone into the body's blood circulation.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications, as well as any supplements that you are taking. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your doctor know if you use them. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want to change your therapy or may suggest ways of managing any interactions.