Is hydrocortisone the same as cortisol?

Hydrocortisone is the pharmaceutical name commonly used for cortisol.

Why do people with adrenal insufficiency need hydrocortisone?

It replaces cortisol that the adrenal glands are not producing adequately.

Can hydrocortisone cream cause systemic side effects?

Systemic absorption is usually much lower than with oral treatment but rises with stronger exposure conditions such as large areas, prolonged use or occlusion.

Why should long-term oral hydrocortisone not be stopped suddenly?

The body may have reduced its own cortisol production, creating a risk of adrenal insufficiency.

Are hydrocortisone tablets and cream interchangeable?

No. They are different formulations for very different clinical purposes.

EVIDENCE-BASEDAWAITING CLINICIAN REVIEW

Hydrocortisone

WHO ATCH02AB09INNHydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone is both the pharmaceutical form of cortisol and a corticosteroid medicine. Systemic replacement for adrenal insufficiency is very different from using a skin cream for dermatitis, so route and indication must always be specified.

At a glance

Quick facts

Drug snapshot

Drug class: Corticosteroid; glucocorticoid
Main uses: Cortisol replacement in adrenal insufficiency; anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive treatment; local inflammatory skin and other conditions depending on formulation
Route: Oral and injectable systemic therapy; topical, rectal and other local routes also exist
WHO ATC: H02AB09
Key safety: Systemic use can cause infection risk, hyperglycaemia, blood-pressure effects, bone loss and adrenal suppression; topical risks increase with potency, area, duration and occlusion.
Monitoring: Indication and route, dose/duration, infection risk, glucose and blood pressure; adrenal-insufficiency patients need an emergency/stress-dose plan.

Names & terminology

How this medicine may be named or searched

Canonical page name: Hydrocortisone
INN / generic name: Hydrocortisone
Aliases / salts: hydrocortisone · cortisol
Russian support entity: hydrocortisone.ru — entity relationship only, not a clinical source

Structured drug profile

Drug profile

INN data

INNHydrocortisoneInternational nonproprietary / generic name used for this entity.

WHO ATCH02AB09Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification; route-specific codes may differ for some medicines.

Drug classCorticosteroid; glucocorticoidPharmacologic / therapeutic class.

MechanismBinds glucocorticoid receptors, replacing endogenous cortisol when deficient and suppressing inflammatory and immune signaling at pharmacologic doses.Mechanism summarized at reference level.

RouteOral and injectable systemic therapy; topical, rectal and other local routes also existAvailable routes depend on the specific product.

Main usesCortisol replacement in adrenal insufficiency; anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive treatment; local inflammatory skin and other conditions depending on formulationApproved indications can differ by country and formulation.

Key safety contextSystemic use can cause infection risk, hyperglycaemia, blood-pressure effects, bone loss and adrenal suppression; topical risks increase with potency, area, duration and occlusion.Check exact product labeling and patient-specific contraindications.

Monitoring / reviewIndication and route, dose/duration, infection risk, glucose and blood pressure; adrenal-insufficiency patients need an emergency/stress-dose plan.Monitoring depends on indication, dose, route and patient factors.

What is Hydrocortisone?

What is Hydrocortisone used for?

Cortisol replacement in adrenal insufficiency; anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive treatment; local inflammatory skin and other conditions depending on formulation. The exact approved indication depends on the product, route and country. ^[1]

How it works

Binds glucocorticoid receptors, replacing endogenous cortisol when deficient and suppressing inflammatory and immune signaling at pharmacologic doses.

Forms and formulations

Tablets, oral liquids, injections, creams/ointments and route-specific formulations. Different formulations may have different indications, strengths, excipients and instructions and should not be assumed interchangeable.

Country / market layer

Availability and formulations by market

Brand names, strengths, prescription status and approved uses vary by jurisdiction. Check the exact national product record before relying on a formulation.

Market-specific

🇬🇧

United KingdomSearch current eMC product information

Search eMC ↗

Availability depends on the active ingredient, route and formulation; not every medicine in this reference has a current UK product.

This English reference was selected because DiseasesConditions.org also maintains an entity relationship to the project’s Russian-language support site hydrocortisone.ru. The Russian site is not used as a clinical source for this page.

How it is used

For adrenal replacement, take exactly according to the endocrine plan and understand sick-day or stress-dosing instructions. Systemic courses for inflammation may require tapering depending on duration and dose. Topical products should be used on the intended skin area and for the recommended time.

For prescription treatment, use the patient-specific regimen rather than copying a dose from another person or another formulation.

Side effects

Systemic effects include appetite and mood changes, higher glucose, fluid retention, infection risk and, with longer exposure, osteoporosis and adrenal suppression. Topical therapy can cause skin thinning or local irritation when overused.

Important warnings and monitoring

People with adrenal insufficiency need urgent treatment if they cannot keep steroid doses down or develop symptoms of adrenal crisis. Do not abruptly stop chronic systemic hydrocortisone. Severe infection or major surgery may require altered dosing under medical guidance.

Monitoring context: Indication and route, dose/duration, infection risk, glucose and blood pressure; adrenal-insufficiency patients need an emergency/stress-dose plan.

Interactions

Systemic hydrocortisone interacts with medicines that alter CYP3A activity, glucose control, potassium, blood pressure and immune responses. Live-vaccine decisions depend on the systemic steroid dose and duration.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Hydrocortisone may be necessary during pregnancy, especially as replacement therapy. Treatment should be individualized rather than stopped abruptly. Local topical use has different exposure considerations.

Overdose and accidental extra doses

Acute single-dose toxicity is usually less important than prolonged excessive exposure, which can produce Cushingoid and metabolic effects. Major intentional overdose or severe symptoms require urgent assessment.

Practical clinical context

The most important distinction is between the medicine entity and a specific marketed product. Strength, salt, route, modified-release design, age authorization and prescription status can change between products. When safety or dosing decisions matter, use the exact package leaflet, prescribing information or national regulator record for the product actually being used.

This page deliberately separates general evidence from the project’s Russian-language support site hydrocortisone.ru; that site identifies the cross-language entity but is not treated as an authority for clinical claims.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

AWAITING CLINICIAN REVIEW

Sources

Clinical statements in this reference are based on named public-health, regulatory or guideline sources. Product-specific labeling remains authoritative for exact indications, dosing and contraindications.

1. MedlinePlus. Hydrocortisone Drug Information. Source ↗
2. MedlinePlus. Hydrocortisone Topical Drug Information. Source ↗

This medicine reference is evidence-based and is awaiting clinician review. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.