Adverse reactions/side effects are much more common with high-dose/long-term therapy
CNS: depression, euphoria, headache, ↑ intracranial pressure (children only), personality changes, psychoses, restlessness.
EENT: cataracts, ↑ intraocular pressure.
CV: hypertension.
GI: PEPTIC ULCERATION, anorexia, nausea, vomiting.
Derm: acne, ↓wound healing, ecchymoses, fragility, hirsutism, petechiae.
Endo: PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA, adrenal suppression, hyperglycemia.
F and E: fluid retention (long-term high doses), hypokalemia, hypokalemic alkalosis.
Hemat: THROMBOEMBOLISM, leukocytosis, thrombophlebitis.
Metab: weight gain, weight loss.
MS: muscle wasting, osteoporosis, avascular necrosis of joints, muscle pain.
Misc: HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS INCLUDING ANAPHYLAXIS, cushingoid appearance (moon face, buffalo hump), ↑ susceptibility to infection.
A-Hydrocort, Colocort, Cortef, Cortenema, Solu-CORTEF
Therapeutic Classification: corticosteroids
Pharmacologic Classification: corticosteroids
Absorption: Well absorbed following oral administration. Sodium succinate salt is rapidly absorbed following IM administration. Absorption from local sites (intra-articular, intralesional) is slow but complete.
Distribution: Widely distributed, crosses the placenta, and probably enters breast milk.
Metabolism/Excretion: Metabolized mostly by the liver.
Half-life: 1.5–2 hr (plasma), 8–12 hr (tissue); adrenal suppression lasts 1.25–1.5 days.
(anti-inflammatory activity)
