They also treat Addison's disease, a condition where the adrenal glands aren't able to produce even the minimum amount of corticosteroid that the body needs. If you often forget to take your tablets, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. Hydrocortisone belongs to a class of medicines known as corticosteroids (more commonly called steroids).Your pharmacist will give you a blue 'Steroid Treatment Card'. Registered in England and Wales. Ask your doctor about whether you need to stop taking it or not.Hydrocortisone comes in different ways, including skin creams, injections and foam.Hydrocortisone tablets can be taken by adults and children.Hydrocortisone tablets aren't suitable for some people. This can happen in a condition known as adrenal insufficiency, or Coronavirus: how quickly do COVID-19 symptoms develop and how long do they last?Coronavirus: what are asymptomatic and mild COVID-19?Coronavirus: what are moderate, severe and critical COVID-19?What are the differences between colds, flu and COVID-19?COVID-19: how to tell hay fever and coronavirus apartAre any coronavirus home remedies safe or effective?Is losing your sense of taste and smell a symptom of coronavirus?Hydrocortisone is usually prescribed alongside another replacement medicine called Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. It's usual to take them once a day. This could lead to you getting an infection.If you need any vaccinations, check with the nurse or doctor that they are safe for you.If you've been taking hydrocortisone tablets for longer than 3 weeks or if you've been prescribed a high dose, your doctor or pharmacist will give you a steroid card. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a medicine to protect you.If you need any vaccinations, mention to the healthcare professional that you're taking a steroid.It's possible that if you have a 'live' vaccine when you are taking hydrocortisone tablets, your immune system might not be strong enough to handle it. How long will I take hydrocortisone tablets for? During summer (while hiking) he substituted his hydro for prednisone. For details see our Our clinical information is certified to meet NHS England's Information Standard.Patient aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals.© Patient Platform Limited. Stomach upset or mood changes can happen straight away. Hydrocortisone gets into breast milk, but in amounts that are too small to harm the baby.For safety, tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.There are many medicines that interfere with the way hydrocortisone tablets work.It's very important to check with your doctor or pharmacist that a medicine is safe to mix with hydrocortisone tablets before you start taking it. It is used as a replacement treatment for people whose adrenal glands are not producing as much of the steroid hormones (such as cortisol) as they normally do. It can increase the amount of hydrocortisone in your body and also increase the risk of low potassium.Also, if you're taking slow release hydrocortisone tablets (Plenadren), do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice. Corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory properties and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory conditions such as:. The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys.If your adrenal glands aren't making enough natural hormone, as in This will vary depending on your health problem. So are there effective alternatives to this highly toxic drug? Over many years hydrocortisone can have several harmful effects on your body. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.This medicine is for you. It is used as a replacement treatment for people whose adrenal glands are not producing as much of the steroid hormones (such as cortisol) as they normally do. These tablets release the medicine into your body slowly throughout the day. The brand name is Cortef. Also, tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.It's important to take hydrocortisone tablets as your doctor has asked you to.Hydrocortisone comes as 5mg, 10mg and 20mg tablets.If you take hydrocortisone tablets for hormone replacement the usual dose is 20mg to 30mg a day.If you have an infection, or if you need to have dental treatment or an operation, you'll probably need to take a higher dose for a while.Most hydrocortisone tablets release the medicine into your body as soon as you swallow them. Hydrocortisone is a steroid, I know, that sounds scary. Are there other steroid tablets available? Missing doses can make you feel unwell.If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Hydrocortisone is a naturally-occurring corticosteroid produced by the adrenal glands. My son was diagnosed May, 2011 -- he was taking hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. Once Adrenal Fatigue was confirmed, initially for my treatment I was treated with a low dose of Hydrocortisone in pill form (20-30mg/day). I think I did that for a little too long. The adrenal glands sit on top of your kidneys. Hydrocortisone tablets mimic the effects of hormones that your body naturally makes in your adrenal glands. Hydrocortisone is taken as a replacement for the natural hormone where this is deficient, either because there is a failure of hydrocortisone production by the adrenal gland (Addison’s disease/primary adrenal insufficiency), or pituitary deficiency (secondary adrenal insufficiency) of ACTH (the hormone that stimulates the production of hydrocortisone by the adrenal gland).