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Hydrocortisone

 
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  •  
    IV / Topical
    Hydrocortisone
    Cortef 

  • Mechanism of Action

  • Suppresses the body's normal inflammatory response through reduced monocyte recruitment, suppression of arachidonic acid metabolites - prostaglandin, leukotriene, platelet-activating factor and reduced production of interleukins, TNF-α, GM-CSF

Clinical Use

  • Indications
  • Acute asthma
  • Exacerbations of COPD
  • Croup
  • Other inflammatory conditions - dermatitides, ulcerative colitis, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, acute gout, rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative arthritides, systemic lupus erythematosus, polyarteritis nodosa
  • Cerebral oedema
  • Nephrotic syndrome
  • Replacement therapy for adrenocortical insufficiency
  • Immunosuppression post organ transplant
  • Adverse Effects
  • Immunosuppression (risk of infection)
  • Osteoporosis
  • Steroid-induced diabetes mellitus
  • Cushing's - central obesity, 'moon' face, buffalo hump, thin skin, peripheral oedema, striae, bruising
  • CNS - cognitive impairment / emotional instability / fatigue
  • Renal - sodium & water retention / hypertension / oedema
  • GIT - peptic ulceration, nausea / vomiting
  • Muscle wasting
  • Ocular - cataract / glaucoma
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