Highlights for cortisone

  1. Cortisone oral tablet is only available as a generic drug. It doesn’t have a brand-name version.
  2. Cortisone only comes as a tablet you take by mouth.
  3. Cortisone oral tablet is used to treat a variety of conditions. These can include adrenocortical insufficiency, arthritis, allergies, and ulcerative colitis. It’s also used to treat anemia, lupus, and skin conditions, including severe psoriasis.
  • Chickenpox and measles warning: This drug can weaken your body’s ability to fight infections. Try to stay away from people who have chickenpox or measles, especially if you haven’t been vaccinated or haven’t had these diseases before. Call your doctor right away if you have contact with anyone who has these diseases while you’re taking this drug.
  • Infections warning: You shouldn’t take this drug if you have an infection. These include fungal, bacterial, or viral infections. Cortisone can weaken your body’s response to infections. This means that your infection may be severe or even fatal (cause death). This drug can also cover up symptoms of infection. If you have any signs of infection, call your doctor right away.

Cortisone oral tablet is a prescription drug. It’s only available as a generic drug.

Why it’s used

Cortisone helps to decrease inflammation and immune responses. It can also be used as replacement therapy for certain hormones.

This drug is used to treat several conditions. These include:

How it works

Cortisone belongs to a class of drugs called glucocorticoids. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Cortisone is a steroid drug. It helps decrease swelling and inflammation in your body. It works by stopping the release of molecules that cause inflammation. This also stops your body from having an immune response.

Cortisone oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness. However, it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects of cortisone can include:

  • confusion
  • excitement
  • restlessness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • skin problems, including:
    • acne
    • thin skin
    • heavy sweating
    • redness
  • trouble sleeping
  • weight gain

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include:
    • skin rash
    • itching
    • hives
    • swelling of your face, lips, or tongue
  • Fluid and electrolyte problems. These can include:
    • fluid retention
    • heart failure, with symptoms such as:
      • shortness of breath
      • fast heart rate
      • swelling of your arms and legs
    • high blood pressure
  • Muscle problems. Symptoms can include:
    • muscle weakness
    • broken bones in your spine
    • osteoporosis
    • tendon rupture
  • Stomach problems. These can include:
    • peptic ulcer, with symptoms such as:
      • upper stomach pain
      • black, tarry stools
    • pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), with symptoms such as:
      • upper stomach pain
      • nausea
      • vomiting
  • Slowed growth in children
  • Glaucoma. Symptoms can include:
    • blurry vision
    • double vision
    • eye pain
  • Convulsions

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Cortisone oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with cortisone are listed below.

Drugs you should not use with cortisone

Do not receive live vaccines while you’re taking cortisone. Examples of these drugs include:

If you receive a live vaccine, your body might not be able to build up resistance to the virus in the vaccine. The virus can spread in your body and cause an infection.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Cortisone oral tablet comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Cortisone can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching or hives
  • swelling of your face, lips, or tongue

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with infections: Don’t take this drug if you have a fungal, bacterial, or viral infection. Cortisone can weaken your body’s response to infections. This can be severe or fatal. The drug can also cover up the symptoms of an infection.

For people with high blood pressure or heart problems: This drug can raise your blood pressure. It can also make heart conditions worse.

For people with diabetes: Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. Cortisone can increase your blood sugar. You may need to test your blood sugar level more often. Your doctor may also change the dosage of your diabetes drugs.

For people with glaucoma or eye problems: This drug increases your risk of eye infections. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.

For people with stomach or intestinal problems: This drug can irritate your stomach and intestines. This can make your condition worse. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.

For people with liver problems: Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. It may make your liver problems worse.

For people with kidney problems: Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. It may make your kidney problems worse.

For people with seizures: Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. It may make your condition worse.

For people with psychiatric and mood disorders: Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you. It may make your condition worse.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: There has not been enough research done on the use of cortisone in pregnant women. Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Ask your doctor to tell you about the specific harm that may be done to the fetus. This drug should only be used if the potential risk is acceptable given the drug’s potential benefit.

Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: This drug may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. These side effects include slowed growth and development. Talk to your doctor about breastfeeding your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For children: It has not been confirmed that cortisone is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

This dosage information is for cortisone oral tablet. All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: Cortisone

  • Form: Oral tablet
  • Strengths: 25 mg

Dosage for all conditions

Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older)

  • Typical dosage: 25–300 mg per day. Your doctor will decide your dosage depending on your condition.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

Cortisone has not been confirmed as safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Cortisone oral tablet is used for both short-term and long-term treatment. The length of your treatment will depend on your condition. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking this drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking this drug suddenly. If you need to stop taking it, your doctor will slowly reduce your dosage over time.

If you don’t take this drug at all, your condition won’t be treated and may get worse.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

  • insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)
  • nervousness
  • increased appetite
  • indigestion

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, call your doctor or pharmacist. You might need to miss a dose or take an extra dose depending on the condition you’re treating. Don’t take an extra dose without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to tell if the drug is working: You should have fewer symptoms and decreased inflammation.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes cortisone oral tablet for you.

General

  • Take cortisone with food and a glass of water. This may help reduce upset stomach.
  • Take this drug in the morning.
  • You can cut or crush the oral tablet

Storage

  • Store cortisone at room temperature. Keep it between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
  • Keep this drug away from light.
  • Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring

You and your doctor should monitor certain health issues during your treatment. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. These issues include:

  • blood pressure levels
  • blood sugar levels (if you have diabetes)
  • potassium levels

Your diet

This drug may cause you to retain salt and water. It may also affect your potassium levels. Your doctor may tell you to take potassium supplements or reduce how much salt you eat.

Availability

Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.