What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Cortisone and methylprednisolone
Methylprednisolone's FDA label of June 22, 2026 names cortisone in its warnings section; cortisone's label does not name methylprednisolone itself but warns about its class (Corticosteroids). The methylprednisolone label: “Hypertension, 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.”
Check it at the source: the cortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 6, 2025, Chartwell RX, LLC); the methylprednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.).
What does the cortisone label say about methylprednisolone?
Cortisone's label does not name methylprednisolone itself; it warns about its class (Corticosteroids):
Cortisone label, warningsVaricella Zoster and Measles Viral Infections Varicella and measles can have a serious or even fatal course in non-immune patients taking corticosteroids, including cortisone acetate tablets.
Cortisone label, warningsIn cerebral malaria, a double-blind trial has shown that the use of corticosteroids is associated with prolongation of coma and a higher incidence of pneumonia and gastrointestinal bleeding.
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 methylprednisolone label say about cortisone?
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.
Source: FDA drug label (Methylprednisolone), NDA011153 (Pfizer), as published by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective June 22, 2026 (SPL set 22dd75d6-f89a-44f7-8ca6-b64c4e9806dd), 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 | Methylprednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis | Osteoarthritis, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Multiple sclerosis, Asthma, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.121 per tablet 4 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
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