What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone
Methylprednisolone's FDA label of June 22, 2026 names hydrocortisone in its warnings section; hydrocortisone'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 hydrocortisone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 19, 2026); the methylprednisolone FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 22, 2026, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.).
What does the hydrocortisone label say about methylprednisolone?
Hydrocortisone's label does not name methylprednisolone 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 methylprednisolone label say about hydrocortisone?
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.
Solu-Medrol label (Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, December 2, 2025), drug interactionsThere have been cases reported in which concomitant use of amphotericin B and hydrocortisone was followed by cardiac enlargement and congestive heart failure.
Source: FDA drug label (Solu-Medrol, NDA011856), Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, effective December 2, 2025 (SPL set cd99be87-c8d9-48d6-a8e5-e081052e3f19), via openFDA
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
| Hydrocortisone | Methylprednisolone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoarthritis, Asthma, Allergies, Herpes and shingles, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | 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) | $0.0613 per gram 1% cream | $0.121 per tablet 4 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | 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