Product Details

What you need to know before you take Hydrocortisone Tablets

Do not take Hydrocortisone Tablets if you • are allergic to hydrocortisone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6), • have thrush, candida or any other fungal infection, • have any other infections, • have been vaccinated recently or are going to have any vaccinations. If you are not sure talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Hydrocortisone Tablets. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Hydrocortisone Tablets if: • you have ever had severe depression or manic depression (bipolar disorder). This includes having had depression before or while taking steroid medicines like Hydrocortisone Tablets, • any of your close family has had these illnesses. Take special care with Hydrocortisone Tablets Check with your doctor before taking your medicine if: • you have recently had a heart attack, • you have a heart condition called congestive heart disease, • you have septicaemia, tuberculosis (TB) or have had it in the past, • you have a stomach ulcer or other digestive problem, • you have chicken pox or shingles, • you come in contact with people who have chicken pox, shingles or measles, especially if you have not already had these illnesses or are not sure if you have had them, • you have a weakened immune system, • you have a herpes infection in the eye called ocular herpes simplex, • you had muscle weakness after taking steroids in the past, • you have recently visited a tropical country, • you have bowel problems such as ulcerative colitis, • you have epilepsy, • you have thrombophlebitis (swelling and redness along a vein which is extremely tender when touched), • you have exanthematous disease (disease affecting the skin, rash), • you have metastatic carcinoma (cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another), • you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets for a long time increases your chance of getting infections, • you have amoebic dysentery and an infestation of a gut worm (strongyloidiasis), it may be activated or become worse. Also, check with your doctor if any of the following problems run in your family, or if you have any of them: • diabetes, • heart problems, • high blood pressure, • an eye condition called ‘glaucoma’, • kidney or liver problems, • a type of muscle weakening problem called ‘myasthenia gravis’, • thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), • low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism). If you are not sure if any of the above run in your family, or you have them, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a tablet. Mental Problems while taking Hydrocortisone Tablets Mental problems can happen while taking steroids like Hydrocortisone Tablets (see also section 4 ‘Possible side effects’). • These illnesses can be serious. • Usually they start within a few days or weeks of starting the medicine. • They are more likely to happen at high doses. • Most of these problems go away if the dose is lowered or the medicine is stopped. • However, if problems do happen they might need treatment. Talk to a doctor if you (or someone taking this medicine), shows any signs of mental problems. This is particularly important if you are depressed, or might be thinking about suicide. In a few cases, mental problems have happened when doses are being lowered or stopped. Contact your doctor if you experience blurred vision or other visual disturbances. Other medicines and Hydrocortisone Tablets Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines including those obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. This is because Hydrocortisone Tablets can affect the way some medicines work. Also, some other medicines can affect the way Hydrocortisone Tablets work. In particular do not take this medicine and tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following: • aspirin, • medicines for fits (epilepsy) such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine and primidone, • cough and cold medicines that contain a decongestant called ephedrine, • medicines used for TB (tuberculosis) called rifabutin or rifampicin, • medicines used to thin the blood such as warfarin, • water tablets (diuretics), • some medicines for fungal infections such as amphotericin and ketoconazole, • a medicine for cancer called aminoglutethimide, • some medicines for heart failure such as digoxin, furosemide or bumetanide, • a medicine used for some infections called erythromycin, • oral contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), • a type of growth hormone called somatropin, • some medicines for high blood pressure, • some medicines for heart disease such as guanethidine, isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate and theophylline, • medicines sometimes used for asthma, low blood pressure or in cough and cold remedies called sympathomimetics (e.g. bambuterol, fenoterol, formoterol, ritodrine, salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline), • calcium supplements, • medicines for pain and inflammation called NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or naproxen, • a medicine for urea cycle disorder called sodium phenylbutyrate (usually started by a specialist doctor or consultant), • medicines for diabetes, • ritonavir (a medicine used in the treatment of HIV infections), • methotrexate (a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis), • ciclosporin (a medicine used for psoriasis or in patients who have organ transplants), • minoxidil & hydralazine (used for antihypertensive), • some medicines may increase the effects of Hydrocortisone Tablets and your doctor may wish to monitor you carefully if you are taking these medicines (including some medicines for HIV: ritonavir, cobicistat). If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Hydrocortisone Tablets. Hydrocortisone Tablets and infections Infections are easier to get and harder to spot while you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets. Stay away from anyone you know with: • chickenpox, • shingles, • measles. See your doctor if you think you may have picked up an infection. Hydrocortisone Tablets with food Hydrocortisone Tablets can be taken with or without food. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Your doctor will decide whether you should take Hydrocortisone Tablets during this time. Breast-feeding Small amounts of hydrocortisone may pass into breast milk. Please ask your doctor for advice before taking these tablets if you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed. Driving and using machines Hydrocortisone Tablets may have minor influence on your ability to drive and use machines. Extreme tiredness and episodes of short-lasting dizziness (vertigo) have been reported. Poorly treated or untreated adrenal insufficiency reduces your ability to concentrate and will affect your ability to drive and use machines. Changes in your eyesight or muscle weakness may also happen. If you are affected you should not drive or operate machinery. Having vaccines or tests while you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets Tell your doctor that you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets if you are to receive any vaccinations or have any diagnostic or laboratory tests. This is because steroids can affect the results of some tests. Having surgery while you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets If you are having surgery requiring an anaesthetic tell your doctor you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets. Information you should carry while you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets If you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets, get a steroid card from your pharmacist, and carry it with you. It shows what you are taking and who your doctor is in case of an emergency. If you have an accident, fall ill or see a different doctor while taking Hydrocortisone Tablets, show them your steroid card or, tell whoever treats you that you are taking Hydrocortisone Tablets, because your dose may need to be changed. Hydrocortisone Tablets contains lactose If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.