What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Cortisone and prednisone
Prednisone's FDA label of April 22, 2025 names cortisone in its warnings section; cortisone's label does not name prednisone itself but warns about its class (Corticosteroids). The prednisone 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 prednisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 22, 2025, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.).
What does the cortisone label say about prednisone?
Cortisone's label does not name prednisone 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 prednisone label say about cortisone?
Prednisone 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 (PredniSONE), Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., effective April 22, 2025 (SPL set 3115aef0-fd50-4ec8-a064-3effb695f3f2), 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 | Prednisone | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, Multiple sclerosis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Anemia, Organ transplant rejection |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.0643 per tablet 20 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
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