What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Cortisone and hydrocortisone
Cortisone's FDA label of June 6, 2025 names hydrocortisone in its warnings section; hydrocortisone's label does not name cortisone itself but warns about its class (Corticosteroids). The cortisone label: “Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.”
Check it at the source: the cortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Chartwell RX, LLC); the hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026).
What does the cortisone label say about hydrocortisone?
Cortisone label, warningsAverage and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.
Source: FDA drug label (Cortisone Acetate), Chartwell RX, LLC, effective June 6, 2025 (SPL set cc158d11-f356-4696-8b73-5d2681dcbcf2), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the hydrocortisone label say about cortisone?
Hydrocortisone's label does not name cortisone itself; it warns about its class (Corticosteroids):
Hydrocortisone label, contraindicationsCONTRAINDICATIONS ALKINDI SPRINKLE is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to hydrocortisone or to any of the ingredients in ALKINDI SPRINKLE. Anaphylactic reactions have occurred in patients receiving corticosteroids [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.2 )].
Hydrocortisone label, contraindicationsIntramuscular corticosteroid preparations are contraindicated for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
Source: FDA drug label (hydrocortisone 1), Kroger Company, effective August 19, 2026 (SPL set f05edff2-2dc5-427c-b52c-518e0aaef4e0), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Cortisone | Hydrocortisone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.0613 per gram 1% cream |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once