About Hydrocortisone Tablets

Hydrocortisone tablets are a type of medicine known as a steroid (corticosteroid). Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.

Hydrocortisone tablets work as a hormone replacement for a natural hormone called cortisol.

You may take hydrocortisone tablets if your body does not make enough cortisol - for example if you have Addison's disease or if you've had your adrenal glands taken out.

They can also be prescribed for hypopituitarism, a rare condition affecting the pituitary gland.

Hydrocortisone tablets come as standard tablets, slow-release tablets and soluble tablets. These are only available on prescription.

Other types of hydrocortisone

There are different types of hydrocortisone, including skin treatments and injections.

Find out more about other ways you can use hydrocortisone to treat different health problems.

Key facts

• The most common side effects of hydrocortisone tablets are feeling dizzy, headaches, swollen ankles and feeling weak or tired.
• Taking hydrocortisone tablets can mean you're more likely to get infections. Tell your doctor if you get an infection, such as COVID-19, or if you come into contact with anyone who has chickenpox, shingles or measles.
• Tell anyone who is giving you medical or dental treatment that you're taking hydrocortisone tablets. You may need a higher dose of hydrocortisone for a while.
• Hydrocortisone tablets can cause extra side effects if you stop taking them suddenly. Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor.
• If you take hydrocortisone tablets for more than 3 weeks, or you're on a high dose, you'll get a blue steroid card. You may also need to carry a red steroid emergency card (for adults), or an adrenal insufficiency card (for children).
• You will need to carry a steroid emergency card (for adults), or an adrenal insufficiency card (for children), if you take hydrocortisone tablets to treat Addison's disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, other adrenal conditions, adrenal insufficiency or hypothalamic or pituitary disorder. Do not stop taking these tablets if you're taking it for these conditions.

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