What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Hydrocortisone and prednisolone
Prednisolone's FDA label of June 25, 2026 names hydrocortisone in its warnings section; hydrocortisone's label does not name prednisolone itself but warns about its class (Corticosteroids). The prednisolone label: “Cardio-renal 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 hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026); the prednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 25, 2026, PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma).
What does the hydrocortisone label say about prednisolone?
Hydrocortisone's label does not name prednisolone 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
What does the prednisolone label say about hydrocortisone?
Prednisolone label, warningsCardio-renal Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.
Orapred Odt label (Advanz Pharma (US) Corp., June 3, 2025), drug interactionsAmphotericin B: There have been cases reported in which concomitant use of Amphotericin B and hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure (see also Potassium depleting agents).
Source: FDA drug label (Orapred Odt, NDA021959), Advanz Pharma (US) Corp., effective June 3, 2025 (SPL set 1e379543-c4cf-4e72-953b-db15b7f0c2a1), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (PrednisoLONE Sodium Phosphate), PAI Holdings, LLC dba PAI Pharma, effective June 25, 2026 (SPL set d1f937e7-fed5-4079-bd52-5d930b34ae9f), 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
| Hydrocortisone | Prednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Anemia, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Multiple sclerosis, Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Organ transplant rejection |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0613 per gram 1% cream | $4.72 per mL 1% eye drop |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | 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