What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Hydrocortisone and ritonavir
Hydrocortisone's FDA label (Alkindi Sprinkle) of April 21, 2026 names ritonavir in its drug interactions section; ritonavir's label does not name hydrocortisone itself but warns about its class (Corticosteroids). The hydrocortisone label: “Hydrocortisone is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Concomitant administration of inhibitors of CYP3A4 may lead to increases in serum concentrations of ALKINDI SPRINKLE and increase the risk of adverse …”
Check it at the source: the hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026); the ritonavir FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 23, 2026, AbbVie Inc.).
What does the hydrocortisone label say about ritonavir?
Alkindi Sprinkle label (Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., April 21, 2026), drug interactionsCYP3A4 Inhibitors Clinical Impact: Hydrocortisone is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Concomitant administration of inhibitors of CYP3A4 may lead to increases in serum concentrations of ALKINDI SPRINKLE and increase the risk of adverse reactions associated with the use of excessive doses. Intervention: Concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors may require a decrease in the ALKINDI SPRINKLE dose. Examples: Anti-fungals: itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole Antibiotics: erythromycin and clarithromycin Antiretrovirals: ritonavir Grapefruit juice
Source: FDA drug label (Alkindi Sprinkle, NDA213876), Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective April 21, 2026 (SPL set 26c13a5f-7119-4c6a-bf10-fda4e07d7682), via openFDA
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 ritonavir label say about hydrocortisone?
Ritonavir's label does not name hydrocortisone itself; it warns about its class (Corticosteroids):
Ritonavir label, drug interactionsSystemic/Inhaled/ Nasal/Ophthalmic Corticosteroids: e.g., betamethasone budesonide ciclesonide dexamethasone fluticasone methylprednisolone mometasone prednisone triamcinolone ↑ glucocorticoids Coadministration with corticosteroids whose exposures are significantly increased by strong CYP3A inhibitors can increase the risk for Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal suppression.Alternative corticosteroids including beclomethasone and prednisolone (whose PK and/or PD are less affected by strong CYP3A inhibitors relative to …
Source: FDA drug label (Norvir), AbbVie Inc., effective July 23, 2026 (SPL set 2849298e-de6e-47bb-8194-56e075b33fc3), 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 | Ritonavir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | HIV |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0613 per gram 1% cream | $0.607 per tablet 100 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | 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