hydrocortisone
Last reviewed 10/2023
Hydrocortisone, originally termed compound F on its discovery in 1952, is the oldest and one of the most widely used corticosteroids in the world.
It is indicated for:
- haemorrhoids and inflammation of the ano-rectal region, e.g. due to ulcerative colitis
- replacement therapy for:
- hypopituitarism
- Addison's disease
- post-adrenalectomy replacement
- the emergency treatment of:
- severe bronchial asthma
- drug hypersensitivity
- angioneurotic oedema
- anaphylaxis
- serum sickness
- treatment of aphthous ulceration
- hyperkeratotic eczema and dermatoses
- local treatment of eye inflammation
For further details see BNF 6.3.