Two medicines, side by side
Hydrocortisone vs methylprednisolone
Hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone are both labeled for osteoarthritis, asthma, allergies, crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, herpes and shingles, eczema (atopic dermatitis), leukemia and lymphoma and myeloma. Drugs@FDA records approvals of hydrocortisone since 1951 and of methylprednisolone since 1957. Pharmacies paid $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) and $0.121 per methylprednisolone 4 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Hydrocortisone's other strengths are brand-only: $51.43 per Solu-cortef 250 mg act-o-vial. Methylprednisolone's other strengths are brand-only: $6.28 per Solu-medrol 40 mg vial.
Check it at the source: the hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026); the methylprednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026).
Highlights of the hydrocortisone record
Hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) · label of August 19, 2026
Used for
From the label: indications• temporarily relieves itching associated with minor skin irritations, inflammation, and rashes due to: • eczema • psoriasis • poison ivy, oak, sumac • insect bites • detergents • jewelry • seborrheic dermatitis • cosmetics • soaps • temporarily relieves external anal and genital itching • other uses of this product should only be under the advice and supervision of a doctor
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 21, 1951
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0613 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Highlights of the methylprednisolone record
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) · label of June 22, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsMethylprednisolone tablets are indicated in the following conditions: 1. Endocrine Disorders Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy, mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 24, 1957
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.121 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 46
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Hydrocortisone label of August 19, 2026, Methylprednisolone label of June 22, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class corticosteroids.
Generics: hydrocortisone since 1971; methylprednisolone since 1978 (Drugs@FDA).
| Hydrocortisone | Methylprednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Osteoarthritis, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia |
| Pharmacologic class | Corticosteroid | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 21, 1951 | October 24, 1957 |
| First generic approved | December 22, 1971 | March 28, 1978 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 49 labelers | 35 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) | $0.121 per tablet (Methylprednisolone 4 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +1% | -22% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 46 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 97,782 | 170,232 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Methylprednisolone label, warningsHypertension, Volume Overload, and Hypokalemia Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.
Methylprednisolone label, drug interactionsThere have been cases reported in which concomitant use of amphotericin B and hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to hydrocortisone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions