Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Hydrocortisone is a naturally-occurring
corticosteroid produced by the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids have potent
anti-inflammatory properties and are used in a wide variety of inflammatory
conditions such as
arthritis, colitis, asthma,
bronchitis,
certain skin rashes,
and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes.
There are numerous
preparations of corticosteroids including oral tablets, capsules, liquids,
topical creams and gels, inhalers and eye drops, and injectable and intravenous
solutions. Hydrocortisone that is prescribed in oral, tablet and liquid forms is
addressed in this article.
Dosage requirements of corticosteroids vary among
individuals and the diseases being treated. In general, the lowest possible
effective dose is used. Corticosteroids given in multiple doses throughout the
day are more effective but also more toxic than if the same total dose is given
once daily or every other day. The FDA approved hydrocortisone in December 1952.
Severe allergic conditions that fail conventional treatment also may respond to
hydrocortisone. Examples include bronchial asthma,
allergic rhinitis,
drug-induced dermatitis, and contact and atopic dermatitis.
Chronic skin
conditions treated with hydrocortisone include dermatitis herpetiformis,
pemphigus, severe psoriasis and severe seborrheic dermatitis.
Chronic allergic
and inflammatory conditions of the uvea, iris, conjunctiva and optic nerves of
the eyes also are treated with hydrocortisone.
Hydrocortisone also is used in
the treatment of blood cell cancers (leukemias), and
lymph gland cancers
(lymphomas).
Blood diseases involving destruction of platelets by the body's own
immune cells (idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura) and destruction of red blood
cells by immune cells (autoimmune hemolytic anemia) also can be treated with
hydrocortisone.
Other miscellaneous conditions treated with hydrocortisone
include thyroiditis and sarcoidosis.
Addison disease is a hormonal (endocrine) disorder involving destruction of the adrenal glands (small glands adjacent to the kidneys). Diseased glands can no longer produce sufficient adrenal hormones (specifically cortisol) necessary for normal daily body functions. Symptoms include weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin. Treatment of Addison disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making.
Addison's disease is an endocrine or hormonal disorder that occurs in all age groups and afflicts men and women equally. The disease is characterized by
weight loss, muscle
weakness, fatigue,
low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin in both exposed and nonexposed parts of the body.
How does Addison's disease occur?
Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone
cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone. The disease is also called adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism.
What is cortisol?
Cortisol is normally produced by the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys. It belongs to a class of hormones called glucocorticoids, which affect almost every organ and tissue in the body. Scientists think that cortisol has possibly hundreds of effects in the body. Cortisol's most important job is to help the bod...
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