Patient Information
What is Hydrocortisone?
Hydrocortisone is a steriod hormone produced by the adrenal gland. It regulates many of the bodies functions and is essential for life.
Hydrocortisone is taken as a replacement for the natural hormone where this is deficient, either because of pituitary deficieny of ACTH (the hormone that stimulates the production of hydrocortisone by the adrenal gland) or failure of hydrocortisone production by the adrenal gland.
How do I take it?
A common dose is 15-20mg orally split over two or three times daily, and depending on your individual Endocrinologist’s recommendations, e.g., 10mg before rising, 5mg at mid-day and 5mg at 4 p.m.
When would I need to take more hydrocortisone?
If you become ill then the body would naturally increase the output of steroid from your adrenals. Therefore if you are taking replacement steroid (hydrocortisone) it is essential to mimic the natural response by increasing your dose appropriately.
How can I let others know I take replacement hydrocortisone?
When you are prescribed your medication you will be given a ‘blue steroid card’ from the hospital to carry. You should also purchase and wear a medical necklace or bracelet, such as MedicAlert, to show your Cortisol replacement therapy.
Emergency Injections – should I have these at home?
It is advisable for all patients on hydrocortisone replacement to have a 100mg injection pack at home and for them or their partners to be taught how to administer it. If you don’t have one of these already, you can ask your GP or endocrinologist if they will prescribe this for you. Please check regularly that these preparations are not expired. Some endocrine clinics will help to show you how to inject in an emergency.
When do I know that I would need an emergency injection?
If you cannot absorb your tablets, or your usual replacement wasn’t sufficient for an acute shock or illness, then gradually or perhaps quite quickly you would feel weak, sickly and light-headed.
Recommendations for changes in oral dose ‘The Sick Rules’
If you become unwell you should take additional hydrocortisone. The amount depends on how unwell you are and the type of illness. The pituitary foundation provides some sensible examples:
If a patient is unwell they should take additional hydrocortisone. The amount depends on how unwell they are and the type of illness. Some examples:
| Situtation | Increase in dose | Duration | Emergency? |
| Cold without fever | none | ||
| Fever, flu, infection | double dose | duration of illness | see GP after 48 hours |
| Vomiting > once, diarrhoea and severe illness | Emergency 100mg injection if extra dose of 10-20mg cannot be kept down | restart usual dose once stable | Phone GP or go to A&E. Administer injection prior to this if emergency pack available (but still seek help) |
| Minor surgical procedure e.g. tooth extraction | 20mg hydrocortisone before procedure | resume on usual dose immediately afterward | |
| Minor operation e.g. hernia repair | 100mg im every 6 hours for 24 hours | resume on usual dose immediately afterward | |
| Major operation e.g. abdomen or chest | 100mg im injection every 6 hours for 24 -72 hours and eating and drinking | reduce rapidly to usual dose | tell the surgeon and anaesthetist before the operation |
| Endoscopy | Double the dose the day before during bowel prep. For colonoscopy 100mg im before procedure | take usual dose on the morning of the procedure | drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. Inform your doctor. |
| Cystoscopy | Double dose on the day of procedure. | resume as normal | inform your doctor. |
| Severe shock e.g. bereavment or road traffic accident | 20mg as tablet or 100mg intramuscular injection | See GP or hospital for further advice | Sudden and severe shock may be classed as an emergency – seek advice |
| Long haul flight > 12 hours | double dose on the day of the flight | extra dose every 6-8 hours when the day is legnthened. Usual regimen in timing with sleep / wake cycle when day is shortened. | Speak to your consultant before travel. |
| General stress, exams etc | not usually required | ask GP if concerned |
How do I cope if I’m travelling away from home?
You should travel with a 100mg injection kit in case of emergency. This injection should be placed in a small cool bag, labelled with your name and kept with you at all times during your journey. You should ask your GP or endocrinologist for a letter about your injection kit, medication and your doses prescribed. This letter is essential to travel through security checks and will be helpful should you become unwell and have to see a doctor. It is wise to take an extra two weeks supply of hydrocortisone tablets with you in case you need to increase your usual dose whilst away. All medication should be kept in your hand luggage.
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Filed under: adrenal crisis, Cushing's, Treatments | Tagged: adrenal, hydrocortisone, steroid, stress |
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