MedPath

Hydrocortisone

Generic Name
Hydrocortisone
Brand Names
Ala-cort, Ala-scalp, Alcortin, Alkindi, Anusol HC, Aquanil HC, Casporyn HC, Cipro, Cipro HC, Colocort, Cortaid, Cortane-B, Cortef, Cortenema, Cortisporin, Cortizone-10, Dermacort, Dermarest Eczema, Dermazene, Home Papkit, Hydroskin, Monistat Itch Relief, Neosporin Eczema, Preparation H Hydrocortisone, Procto-med, Procto-pak, Proctocort, Proctol, Proctosedyl, Proctosol, Proctozone HC, Scalpicin Itch Relief, Texacort, Vanoxide-HC, Xerese, Plenadren, Efmody
Drug Type
Small Molecule
Chemical Formula
C21H30O5
CAS Number
50-23-7
Unique Ingredient Identifier
WI4X0X7BPJ

Overview

Hydrocortisone, or cortisol, is a glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. Hydrocortisone is used to treat immune, inflammatory, and neoplastic conditions. It was discovered in the 1930s by Edward Kendall and named Compound F, or 17-hydroxycorticosterone. Hydrocortisone was granted FDA approval on 5 August 1952.

Indication

Otic solutions are indicated for infections of the external auditory canal caused by susceptible organisms and with inflammation. Hydrocortisone tablets are indicated for certain endocrine, rheumatic, collagen, allergic, ophthalmic, respiratory, hematologic, neoplastic, edematous, gastrointestinal, and other conditions. A hydrocortisone enema is indicated for ulcerative colitis, a topical ointment with antibiotics is indicated for corticosteroid responsive dermatoses with infections, and a topical cream with acyclovir is indicated to treat cold sores. Oral granules of hydrocortisone are used as a replacement therapy for Adrenocortical Insufficiency (AI) in children under 17 years of age.

Associated Conditions

  • Acute Gouty Arthritis
  • Acute Leukemia
  • Acute Otitis Externa
  • Adrenal Insufficiency
  • Allergic Conjunctivitis (AC)
  • Allergic Rhinitis (AR)
  • Allergic corneal marginal ulcers
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
  • Aspiration Pneumonitis
  • Asthma
  • Atopic Dermatitis
  • Berylliosis
  • Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis
  • Chorioretinitis
  • Choroiditis
  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
  • Congenital Hypoplastic Anemia
  • Contact Dermatitis
  • Crohn's Disease (CD)
  • Dermatitis
  • Dermatomyositis (DM)
  • Dermatosis
  • Drug hypersensitivity reaction
  • Epicondylitis
  • Erythroblastopenia
  • Fissure;Anal
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Herpes Labialis
  • Hypercalcemia of Malignancy
  • Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
  • Infection of the Fenestration Cavity
  • Infection of the Mastoidectomy Cavity
  • Iridocyclitis
  • Iritis
  • Itching caused by Hemorrhoids
  • Itching of the Anus
  • Keratitis
  • Leukemias
  • Loeffler's syndrome
  • Lymphoma
  • Lymphomas NEC
  • Mycosis Fungoides (MF)
  • Ophthalmia, Sympathetic
  • Optic Neuritis
  • Pain caused by Hemorrhoids
  • Pemphigus
  • Posterior Uveitis
  • Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis
  • Primary adrenocortical insufficiency
  • Proctitis
  • Proteinuria
  • Pruritis of the skin
  • Psoriatic Arthritis
  • Rectal inflammations NEC
  • Rheumatic heart disease, unspecified
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis, Juvenile
  • Secondary adrenocortical insufficiency
  • Secondary thrombocytopenia
  • Serum Sickness
  • Severe Seborrheic Dermatitis
  • Skin Diseases
  • Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
  • Synovitis
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Trichinosis
  • Tuberculous Meningitis
  • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Acquired immune hemolytic anemia
  • Acute Bursitis
  • Acute Tenosynovitis
  • Acute rheumatic carditis
  • Anterior eye segment inflammation
  • Cryptitis
  • Disseminated Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)
  • Exfoliative erythroderma
  • Fulminating Pulmonary Tuberculosis
  • Non-suppurative Thyroiditis
  • Severe Erythema multiforme
  • Severe Psoriasis
  • Subacute Bursitis
  • Superficial infection of the external auditory canal with inflammation
  • Symptomatic Sarcoidosis
  • Systemic Dermatomyositis
  • Varicella-zoster virus acute retinal necrosis

Clinical Trials

Title
Posted
Study ID
Phase
Status
Sponsor
2025/08/15
Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Saint Petersburg State University, Russia
2025/07/18
Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
2025/05/21
Phase 4
Recruiting
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)
2025/04/24
Early Phase 1
Not yet recruiting
C17 Council
2025/04/16
Not Applicable
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Nada kamel Elgamal
2025/03/26
Phase 2
Not yet recruiting
2025/03/25
Phase 4
Not yet recruiting
Copenhagen Respiratory Research
2025/03/25
Phase 4
Not yet recruiting
Copenhagen Respiratory Research
2024/12/09
Not Applicable
Recruiting
Southeast University, China
2024/07/23
N/A
Active, not recruiting

FDA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Manufacturer
NDC Code
Route
Strength
Effective Date
MWI
13985-608
OPHTHALMIC
10 mg in 1 g
3/23/2015
Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC
69367-286
TOPICAL
10 mg in 1 g
5/12/2023
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.
68071-1598
TOPICAL
25 mg in 1 g
4/19/2023
Actavis Pharma, Inc.
0472-0321
TOPICAL
10 mg in 1 g
6/30/2017
Unipack LLC
43749-620
TOPICAL
10.2 mg in 1 g
7/13/2025
Chattem, Inc.
41167-0039
TOPICAL
10 mg in 1 g
8/1/2025
Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
71863-112
ORAL
5 mg in 1 1
2/28/2024
Akorn Operating Company LLC
50383-901
AURICULAR (OTIC)
10.375 mg in 1 mL
10/13/2022
Bryant Ranch Prepack
63629-2396
TOPICAL
25 mg in 1 g
2/15/2022
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.
68071-4229
AURICULAR (OTIC)
10 mg in 1 mL
6/16/2023

EMA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Authorization Holder
Status
Issued Date
Neurocrine Netherlands B.V.,Van Heuven Goedhartlaan 935 A,1181 LD Amstelveen,NETHERLANDS
Authorised
5/27/2021
Neurocrine Netherlands B.V.,Van Heuven Goedhartlaan 935 A,1181 LD Amstelveen,NETHERLANDS
Authorised
2/9/2018
Authorised
11/3/2011

HSA Drug Approvals

NMPA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
Approval Number
Drug Type
Dosage Form
Approval Date
No NMPA approvals found for this drug.

Health Canada Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
DIN
Dosage Form
Strength
Market Date
PROCTOSEDYL OINTMENT
hoechst roussel canada inc.
01988549
Ointment - Rectal
5 MG / G
12/31/1971
CORTATE CRM 1%
schering-plough canada inc
00502200
Cream - Topical
10 MG / G
12/31/1980
AQUACORT LOTION 2.5%
merit industries inc.
01940120
Lotion - Topical
2.5 %
12/31/1992
TEXACORT SOLUTION 1%
genderm corporation
00740330
Lotion - Topical
1 %
12/31/1988
SARNA HC
00856711
Lotion - Topical
2.5 %
12/31/1990
HYDROCORTISONE CREAM 0.5%
d.c. labs limited
00551953
Cream - Topical
500 MG / 100 G
12/31/1982
BARRIERE HC 1%
allen & hanburys a glaxo canada ltd. co.
00465070
Jelly ,  Cream - Topical
1 %
12/31/1979
CORTISPORIN
01912828
Solution - Otic
10 MG / ML
12/31/1991
PROCTOSEDYL
Aptalis Pharma Canada ULC
02223252
Ointment - Rectal
0.5 %
4/1/2003
HYDROCORTISONE CREAM USP 0.5%
ksl pharmaceuticals
00756679
Cream - Topical
0.5 %
12/31/1994

CIMA AEMPS Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
Registration Number
Pharmaceutical Form
Prescription Type
Status
EFMODY 5 MG CAPSULAS DURAS DE LIBERACION MODIFICADA
Diurnal Europe B.V.
1211549001
CÁPSULA DURA DE LIBERACIÓN MODIFICADA
Diagnóstico Hospitalario
Not Commercialized
ALKINDI 0,5 MG GRANULADO EN CAPSULAS PARA ABRIR
Diurnal Europe B.V.
1171260001
GRANULADO EN CAPSULAS PARA ABRIR
Medicamento Sujeto A Prescripción Médica
Not Commercialized
ALKINDI 5 MG GRANULADO EN CAPSULAS PARA ABRIR
Diurnal Europe B.V.
1171260004
GRANULADO EN CAPSULAS PARA ABRIR
Medicamento Sujeto A Prescripción Médica
Not Commercialized
EFMODY 10 MG CAPSULAS DURAS DE LIBERACION MODIFICADA
Diurnal Europe B.V.
1211549002
CÁPSULA DURA DE LIBERACIÓN MODIFICADA
Diagnóstico Hospitalario
Not Commercialized
BRENTÁN 20 MG/G + 10 MG/G CREMA
52664
CREMA
Medicamento Sujeto A Prescripción Médica
Commercialized
HIDROALTESONA 20 MG COMPRIMIDOS
Laboratorios Alter S.A.
25699
COMPRIMIDO
Medicamento Sujeto A Prescripción Médica. Tratamiento De Larga Duración
Commercialized
CALMIOX 5 mg/g CREMA
60889
CREMA
Sin Receta
Commercialized
HIDROCISDIN 5 mg/g ESPUMA CUTANEA
60890
ESPUMA CUTÁNEA
Sin Receta
Not Commercialized
PLENADREN 5 MG COMPRIMIDOS DE LIBERACION MODIFICADA
111715001
COMPRIMIDO DE LIBERACIÓN MODIFICADA
Medicamento Sujeto A Prescripción Médica
Not Commercialized
CALMIOX 5 mg/g ESPUMA CUTANEA
60888
ESPUMA CUTÁNEA
Sin Receta
Commercialized

Philippines FDA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
License Number
Dosage Form
Strength
Approval Date
No Philippines FDA approvals found for this drug.

Saudi SFDA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
License Number
Dosage Form
Strength
Approval Date
No Saudi SFDA approvals found for this drug.

Malaysia NPRA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
Registration Number
Dosage Form
Strength
Approval Date
No Malaysia NPRA approvals found for this drug.

UK EMC Drug Information

Medicine Name
MA Holder
MA Number
Pharmaceutical Form
Active Ingredient
Authorization Date
No UK EMC drug information found for this drug.

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