Cortef (Hydrocortisone Tablet) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 10, 2012

Cortef

Psoriasis »

Psoriasis facts

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
Psoriasis has no known cause.
The tendency toward developing psoriasis is inherited in genes.
Psoriasis is not contagious.
Psoriasis gets better and worse spontaneously and can have periodic remissions (clear skin).
Psoriasis is controllable with medication.
Psoriasis is currently not curable.
There are many promising therapies, including newer biologic drugs.
Future research for psoriasis is promising.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin condition that produces red, dry plaques of thickened skin. The dry flakes and skin scales are thought to result from the rapid proliferation of skin cells that is triggered by abnormal lymphocytes from the blood . Psoriasis commonly affects the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp.

Some people have such mild ps...

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Cortef

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CORTEF
(hydrocortisone) Tablet

DRUG DESCRIPTION

CORTEF Tablets contain hydrocortisone which is a glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids are adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, which are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Hydrocortisone USP is white to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder with a melting point of about 215° C. It is very slightly soluble in water and in ether; sparingly soluble in acetone and in alcohol; slightly soluble in chloroform.

The chemical name for hydrocortisone is pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione,11,17,21-trihydroxy-, (11β)-. Its molecular weight is 362.46 and the structural formula is as outlined below.

CORTEF (hydrocortisone) Structural Formula Illustration

CORTEF (hydrocortisone tablet) Tablets are available for oral administration in three strengths: each tablet contains either 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg of hydrocortisone. Inactive ingredients: calcium stearate, corn starch, lactose, mineral oil, sorbic acid, sucrose.

What are the possible side effects of hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

problems with your vision;
swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions);
bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Cortef »

What are the precautions when taking hydrocortisone tablet (Cortef)?

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to neomycin, bacitracin, polymyxin, or hydrocortisone; or to aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin, tobramycin); or to other corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone, prednisone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used to treat an infection in the outer ear canal if the eardrum is torn (perforated).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: poor blood circulation, a weakened immune system.

Children may be more sensitive to the effects of too much...

Read All Potential Precautions of Cortef »

Last reviewed on RxList: 4/3/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.