Other Brands/Names

The trade names for this medicine include Cortisone Acetate and Cortisone Harsen.

How It Works

Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medicine. It reduces inflammation by preventing inflammatory cells (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) from migrating to the inflamed area. This action helps ease inflammatory symptoms.

Indications

This medicine is used to manage inflammatory conditions and allergies. In addition, it is also prescribed for patients with adrenal insufficiency.

Contraindication

Cortisone should not be used in the following medical conditions:

• Ongoing fungal or viral infections

• Acute bacterial infections

• Recent receptors of live vaccines

Side Effects

Potential side effects include the following:

• Heartburn

• Nausea and vomiting

• Headache

• Dizziness

• In women, menstrual changes such as irregular or missed periods

• Sleep disorders

• Increased appetite

Serious side effects that may occur after using this medicine include:

• Bone or joint pain

• Easy bleeding or bruising

• Rapid and irregular heartbeat

• Increased thirst and frequent urination

• Mental and mood changes

• Muscle pain

• Facial swelling

• Infections

• Wounds that are slow to heal

• Swelling of the feet and legs

• Abnormal hair growth

• Changes in vision

Types

This medicine is available as 25 mg tablets and as injections.

Dosage

The dose depends on the condition being treated and the patient’s age, as follows:

Inflammatory and allergic conditions

• For adults, begin with 25–300 mg per day. After the desired response is achieved, taper the dose gradually to the lowest effective daily dose.

Treatment of adrenal insufficiency

• For adults, give 12.5–37.5 mg per day in divided doses.
• For children, give 5–25 mg per day in divided doses.

Safety

This medicine is classified as FDA category D in pregnancy. This indicates adverse fetal effects have been demonstrated in animal and human studies. It can also be excreted into breast milk. Therefore, use during breastfeeding is not recommended.

Drug Interactions

Cortisone interactions with several medicines can lead to the following effects:

• The effectiveness of cortisone may be reduced when used with phenytoin (an anticonvulsant), rifampin (an antituberculosis agent), and ephedrine (a decongestant).

• Concomitant use with anticoagulants and antidiabetic medicines can lower their therapeutic effectiveness.

• Interactions with diuretics (thiazides, furosemide) and antifungals (amphotericin B) can increase the risk of hypokalemia.

• The effectiveness of blood-thinning medicines is reduced when combined with cortisone.

• Cortisone blood levels may decrease due to interaction with the hormone estrogen.

• This medicine is pregnancy category D, meaning it should not be used in pregnant women because of proven fetal risks; it should be reserved for emergencies or used only on a doctor’s advice.

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