Cortef ratings & reviews

Hydrocortisone
Company: Pfizer
Brand: Cortef
+3 more
Cortef, Cortizone, Aveeno, Aquaphor
Drug class: Systemic Hormonal Agents (excluding Sex Hormones)
+2 more
Systemic Hormonal Agents (excluding Sex Hormones), Systemic Corticosteroids, Systemic Corticosteroids, Plain
Overall rating
3.6
full star full star full star half star empty star
Ranked #7
Physician ratings
  • Efficacy: effective for its intended use
  • Safety: safe to use in humans
  • Tolerability: low drug side effects
  • Accessibility: insurance/payer coverage, cost, affordability,formulary coverage, availability in your hospital or practice setting
  • Adherence: patient compliance with treatment
Efficacy
3.3/5
Safety
3.5/5
Tolerability
3.6/5
Accessibility
3.8/5
Adherence
3.6/5

Sermo AI Overview

  • Cortef shows variability in efficacy across different conditions. While it is well-regarded for treating ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis, it has been noted for weak efficacy in conditions like Hodgkin lymphoma, tuberculosis, and various dermatological issues.
  • Many healthcare providers express concerns over Cortef's effectiveness for several indications, with weak efficacy ratings reported for immune thrombocytopenic purpura, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis, among others, indicating a need for alternative treatments in these cases.
  • Adherence to Cortef can vary widely among patients, with some noting challenges due to the requirement of taking multiple doses throughout the day. This adherence variability may impact treatment outcomes and overall satisfaction.
  • Cortef is frequently recognized for its accessibility and tolerability by patients and providers, particularly in treating specific conditions, although there are ongoing discussions about its overall safety profile and effectiveness in critical situations.
  • Was this summary helpful?
Based on insights from Sermo’s triple verified physicians

Description

Cortef is a medication that contains hydrocortisone, and it is a type of glucocorticoid. This drug comes in the form of oral tablets with dosages of 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg of hydrocortisone. Key inactive ingredients include calcium stearate, corn starch, and lactose.

Source: This information is sourced from FDA and powered by AI

Dosage & Administration

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with a drink of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take it with food or milk to avoid stomach upset. If you are taking this medication once a day, take it in the morning. Do not take more medication than you are told to take. Do not suddenly stop taking your medication because you may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take. If your care team wants you to stop the medication, the dose may be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Side Effects

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Cushing syndrome—increased fat around the midsection, upper back, neck, or face, pink or purple stretch marks on the skin, thinning, fragile skin that easily bruises, unexpected hair growth
  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
  • Increase in blood pressure
  • Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
  • Low adrenal gland function—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness
  • Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
  • Stomach bleeding—bloody or black, tar-like stools, vomiting blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds
  • Swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Acne
  • General discomfort and fatigue
  • Headache
  • Increase in appetite
  • Nausea
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight gain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings & Precautions

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • Cushing's syndrome
  • Diabetes
  • Glaucoma
  • Heart problems or disease
  • High blood pressure
  • Infection, such as herpes, measles, tuberculosis, or chickenpox
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Mental health conditions
  • Myasthenia gravis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Previous heart attack
  • Seizures
  • Stomach or intestine problems
  • Thyroid problem
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to hydrocortisone, other medications, lactose, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breastfeeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

  • Mifepristone, RU-486
  • Vaccines

This medication may also interact with the following:

  • Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and troleandomycin
  • Aspirin and aspirin-like medications
  • Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital
  • Ketoconazole
  • Phenytoin
  • Rifampin
  • Warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. If you are taking this medication over a prolonged period, carry an identification card with your name and address, the type and dose of your medication, and your care team's name and address.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Stay away from people who are sick. Tell your care team if you are around anyone with measles or chickenpox.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your care team that you have taken this medication within the last twelve months.

Ask your care team about your diet. You may need to lower the amount of salt you eat.

This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.

Source: This information is sourced from Elsevier Inc.

Disclaimer

The reviews, ratings, comments, and opinions expressed on this platform are solely those of the individual medical professionals who posted them and do not reflect the views or positions of Sermo, Inc. Sermo does not endorse, verify, or validate the content of individual reviews. The information provided is user-generated and reflects personal clinical experiences, which may not be complete, accurate, or applicable to your specific health needs. It is not intended as medical advice.

Prescription medications affect individuals differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed applies to your personal circumstances. Only a licensed healthcare provider can advise you on what is safe and effective for you.

Keep all medications out of the reach of children, never share your medicine with others, and use each medication only as prescribed. Your reliance on any information provided on this platform is at your own risk.

Terms of use

  1. Sermo Drug Ratings, and all information provided on this website, may not be used in combination with any artificial intelligence tool (including to train an algorithm, test, process, analyze, generate output and/or develop any form of artificial intelligence tool). 

  2. Visitors to the online patient-facing website at Sermo.com (“Sermo Drug Ratings”) are Authorized Users of the website, which contains data owned by a third-party provider, Elsevier, Inc.  Accordingly, by visiting Sermo Drug Ratings, Authorized User acknowledges that the website includes Elsevier owned data that Sermo licenses pursuant to a separate usage and Data agreement (the “Agreements”).  Authorized User further acknowledges that Sermo is a third-party beneficiary of the Agreements and Authorized User’s use of the website hereby binds them to the terms of the Agreements; provided, however, that Elsevier shall have no obligations or liability to an Authorized User whatsoever pursuant to the terms of the Agreements.

  3. Authorized User acknowledges and agrees that the Elsevier Products are designed for and are intended to be used by those residing in the United States, and that the information contained in the Elsevier Products does not comply with any laws or practices outside of the United States. You assume all responsibilities, duties, and obligations for any treatment, decision, or advice made or given to third parties as a result of the use or application of the Elsevier Products outside of the United States, and Sermo, Elsevier and its affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and suppliers will incur no liability for any use or application of the Products by Authorized Users outside of the United States.

Welcome to Sermo's Drug Ratings

Previously only for members, Sermo Drug Ratings are now openly available to all healthcare providers, patients, and industry professionals to support better healthcare decisions.

Clinical expertise
Insights based on real prescribing experience from triple-verified practicing physicians only
Detailed insights
Ratings on key attributes including efficacy, safety, tolerability, accessibility, and adherence
Unbiased reviews
Independent, physician-only reviews, free from pharmaceutical industry influence