Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone
Clinical data


Trade names	Cortef, Solu-Cortef, others
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
MedlinePlus	a682206
License data	US FDA: Hydrocortisone
Pregnancy category	AU: A US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Routes of administration	By mouth (tablets), intravenous, topical, rectal
ATC code	A01AC03 (WHO) A07EA02 (WHO) C05AA01 (WHO) D07AA02 (WHO) H02AB09 (WHO) S01BA02 (WHO) S02BA01 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	AU: Pharmacist only UK: POM (Prescription only) US: OTC for topical administration; Rx-only for oral tablets, rectal use and intravenous therapy
Identifiers
IUPAC name (11β)-11,17,21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione
CAS Number	50-23-7^Y
PubChem CID	5754
DrugBank	DB00741^N
ChemSpider	5551^Y
UNII	WI4X0X7BPJ
KEGG	D00088^Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:17650^Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL389621^Y
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C₂₁H₃₀O₅
Molar mass	362.460 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES O=C4\C=C2/[C@]([C@H]1[C@@H](O)C[C@@]3([C@@](O)(C(=O)CO)CC[C@H]3[C@@H]1CC2)C)(C)CC4
InChI InChI=1S/C21H30O5/c1-19-7-5-13(23)9-12(19)3-4-14-15-6-8-21(26,17(25)11-22)20(15,2)10-16(24)18(14)19/h9,14-16,18,22,24,26H,3-8,10-11H2,1-2H3/t14-,15-,16-,18+,19-,20-,21-/m0/s1^Y Key:JYGXADMDTFJGBT-VWUMJDOOSA-N^Y
^NY (what is this?)

Hydrocortisone, sold under the brandname Cortef among others, is the name for the hormone cortisol when supplied as a medication. Uses includes conditions such as adrenocortical insufficiency, adrenogenital syndrome, high blood calcium, thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, asthma, and COPD. It is the treatment of choice for adrenocortical insufficiency. It can be given by mouth or by injection. After long-term use, if stopped this should be done slowly.

Side effects may include mood changes, increased risk of infection, and swelling. With long-term use common side effects include osteoporosis, upset stomach, physical weakness, easy bruising, and yeast infections. While used, it is unclear if it is safe during pregnancy. It works as an antiinflammatory and by immune suppression.

Hydrocortisone was discovered in 1955. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. It is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.27 USD per day as of 2014 for the form taken by mouth. In the United States it costs less than 25 USD for a typical month of treatment.