Dealing with CAH in the beginning is difficult and it is to easy to go along with what doctors say and become to dependant on them. They have huge amounts of information to absorb and deseminate. Protocols of explaining drugs and side effects are rarely done or followed through. We did not receive hydrocortisone leaflets with each prescription because it was decanted for us. This is no longer the case and we have since found out that the epilepsy phenytoin does not mix well with hydrocortisone. My son was on it for a year and the doses were increase substainly over the year. His last fit while on phenytoin was so bad he lost all his speech. I can still remember the look on his face when he tried to say something and nothing happened. Given his medical history which is mapped out in 2" of notes, why was he on it in the first place? The following information is for anyone who has not been informed about hydrocortisone to the standard required by a doctor or pharmacist. It comes from the hydrocortisone leaflet provided by Merck Sharp & Dohme. Can you take hydrocortisone with other medicines? Some other medicines do not mix well with hydrocortisone. Your doctor is fully aware of these.......... If you are taking any of the following medicines you should talk to your doctor before taking hydrocortisone. Aspirn - Phenytoin(used for epilepsy) - Carbamazepine(used to treat epilepsy) - Ephedrine(a nasal decongestant) - barbiturates(used to treat epilepsy) - Antibiotics called rifampicin and rifabutin(used to treat tuberculosis) - Anticoagulant medicine which thin the blood - Certain diuretics(water tablets) - Amphotericin(used to treat fungal infections) - an anticancer medicine called aminoglutethimide. Given the last post about calcium, I thought the following section might be informative for some of you. What unwanted effects could your tablets have? Hydrocortisone, like all steroids, may cause side effects. Your doctor has probably explained these to you.( I find this qualification by the drug company quite ironic) The most unusual ones seen with hydrocortisone include: headach; vertigo; nausea; malaise; raised blood pressure; heart trouble; swelling and weight gain of the body and face; thirst; increased appetite; decreased carbohydrate tolerance; mood changes; muscle weakness and wasting; tendon rupture; increased number of white blood cells in the blood; blood clots; thinning of the bone with an increase risk of fractures; convulsions; suppression of growth in children; stomach pain and discomfort; slow wound healing; thinned, delicate skin; bruising and unusual skin markings or rash; changes in vision; acne; increased sweating: IN MEN ONLY: changes in the motility and number of sperm; IN WOMEN ONLY: irregular periods and development of body and facial hair. Because of these potential side effects, your doctor will want to monitor you at intervals during your treatment. If any of the above occur, or you notice any other unusual feelings or symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible. As the previous post stated, side effects of hydrocortisone have serious effects if not flagged. I do not want any other kids to have to deal with what my son had to because medical protocols are not adhered to by well meaning doctors. I hope some of you find this information useful and my intention is not to scare anyone. Shaun P.