Two medicines, side by side
Tacrolimus vs hydrocortisone
Tacrolimus and hydrocortisone are both labeled for eczema (atopic dermatitis). Drugs@FDA records approvals of tacrolimus since 1994 and of hydrocortisone since 1951. Pharmacies paid $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) and $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) (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. In FDA's classes, tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant and hydrocortisone a corticosteroid.
Check it at the source: the tacrolimus FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 17, 2026); the hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026).
Highlights of the tacrolimus record
Tacrolimus (Prograf) · label of July 17, 2026
MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with Tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death. ( 5.1 , 5.2 ) WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTacrolimus capsules are a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult and pediatric patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney or heart transplants, in combination with other immunosuppressants. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 8, 1994
- Generic labelers
- 33 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.970 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Tacrolimus label of July 17, 2026, Hydrocortisone label of August 19, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tacrolimus and hydrocortisone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant and hydrocortisone a corticosteroid.
Only the tacrolimus label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: tacrolimus since 2009; hydrocortisone since 1971 (Drugs@FDA).
| Tacrolimus | Hydrocortisone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Organ transplant rejection, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant | Corticosteroid |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Fecal elimination accounted for 92.4±1.0% and the elimination half-life based on radioactivity was 48.1±15.9 hours whereas it was 43.5±11.6 hours based on tacrolimus concentrations. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 8, 1994 | December 21, 1951 |
| First generic approved | August 10, 2009 | December 22, 1971 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 33 labelers | 49 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) | $0.0613 per gram (Hydrocortisone 1% cream) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 156,020 | 97,782 |
| 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to tacrolimus
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions