robertaThis is only thing I found on www.britannica.com about cortef. It is not about CAH and it's treatment. Just about the drug. Of course you should MORE for you have CAH and have an injection. If you don't ... ADRENAL CRISIS and death. You can not overdose!! Opposite effects if you don't take enough = thin hair, weight lost... etc.
Cortef
hydrocortisone
Pronunciation: hye droe KOR ti sone
Brand: Cortef, Hydrocortone
What is the most important information I should know about hydrocortisone?
• Do not stop taking hydrocortisone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.
• Take hydrocortisone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
• Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking hydrocortisone in the case of an emergency.
What is hydrocortisone?
• Hydrocortisone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Hydrocortisone reduces swelling and decreases your body's immune response.
• Hydrocortisone is used to treat many different conditions. It is used to treat endocrine (hormonal) disorders when the body does not produce enough of its own steroids. It is also used to treat many immune and allergic disorders, such as arthritis, lupus, severe psoriasis, severe asthma, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.
• Hydrocortisone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take hydrocortisone?
• Do not take hydrocortisone if you have a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Hydrocortisone weakens your body's immune response and thus its ability to fight infection.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
· high blood pressure or heart disease,
· kidney disease,
· diabetes mellitus, or
· any other medical conditions.
• You may not be able to take hydrocortisone, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Hydrocortisone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether hydrocortisone will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Hydrocortisone passes into breast milk. Do not take hydrocortisone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take hydrocortisone?
• Take hydrocortisone exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than is prescribed for you. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Take hydrocortisone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
• Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose.
• Measure the liquid with the dropper provided or with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup. Ask your pharmacist for a dose-measuring spoon if you do not have one.
• If you are taking one dose daily, take that dose before 9 a.m. if possible, so as to follow your body's natural cycle. If you take more than one dose daily, space the doses evenly throughout the day as directed by your doctor.
• Do not stop taking hydrocortisone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.
• Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking hydrocortisone in the case of an emergency.
• Store hydrocortisone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• If you take one dose daily, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if you don't remember until the next day, skip the dose you missed and take only your regular daily dose.
• If you take more than one dose daily, you can either take the missed dose as soon as you remember, or you can take two doses (the one you missed plus your regularly scheduled dose) when it is time for your next dose.
• If you take one dose every other day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular every-other-day schedule.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention. A single large dose of this medication is unlikely to cause symptoms or death. An overdose is more likely to be caused by a chronic overdose--large doses taken over a period of time.
• Symptoms of an overdose include obesity (especially around the stomach); a round face; increased hair growth (especially around the face); acné; bruising; increased blood pressure; swollen hands, feet, or ankles (fluid retention); and sore or weak muscles.
What should I avoid while taking hydrocortisone?
• Use alcohol cautiously. Acting together, alcohol and hydrocortisone can be very damaging to your stomach.
• Avoid sources of infection. Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your mouth and eyes. Your immune system may be weakened while you are taking hydrocortisone.
• Avoid immunizations during treatment with hydrocortisone unless your doctor approves.
What are the possible side effects of hydrocortisone?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking hydrocortisone and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred vision); or
· sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two).
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take hydrocortisone and talk to your doctor if you experience
· insomnia;
· nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
· fatigue or dizziness;
· muscle weakness or joint pain;
· problems with diabetes control; or
· increased hunger or thirst.
• Other side effects that occur only rarely, usually with high doses of hydrocortisone, include
· acné,
· increased hair growth,
· thinning of your skin,
· cataracts,
· glaucoma,
· osteoporosis,
· round face, and
· changes in behavior.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect hydrocortisone?
• The following drugs may decrease the effects of hydrocortisone:
· barbiturates such as amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal) and phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
· cholestyramine (Questran);
· ephedrine (in many over-the-counter cough, cold, allergy, diet, and energy preparations);
· phenytoin (Dilantin) and ethotoin (Peganone); or
· rifampin (Rifadin).
• Hydrocortisone may not be as effective if it is taken with any of the medicines listed above.
• Other drugs may increase the effects of hydrocortisone and lead to side effects:
· birth control pills;
· estrogens such as Premarin, Ogen, and others;
· ketoconazole (Nizoral); and
· erythromycin (Ery-Tab, EES, E-Mycin, others), azithromycin (Zithromax), and clarithromycin (Biaxin).
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. You may require a lower dose of hydrocortisone.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with hydrocortisone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about hydrocortisone written for health professionals that you may read.
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
The information in this leaflet is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
© Multum Information Services 1999. Version: 3.010. Revision date: 4/13/99.