CORTEF hydrocortisone 5 mg Tablet, 50-count
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Corticosteroid class.
Where does this data come from?
🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Hydrocortisone is used to replace cortisol (a steroid normally produced by the body) when your body doesn't make enough of it. Hydrocortisone is also used to treat lupus (a disease in which immune system attacks body attacks many of its own organs); certain types of arthritis; certain lung, skin, eye, kidney, blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestinal disorders; severe allergies; and certain types of cancer.I Hydrocortisone is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works by replacing steroids that are normally produced naturally by the body. It also works to reduce swelling and r...
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- It's designed to calm down inflammation — so the redness, swelling, and itching that come with conditions like eczema should ease up, usually within a few days of consistent use. I...
- What exactly is this cream supposed to do for my skin?
- That's a really important question. Hydrocortisone is generally meant for short courses — typically a few weeks. Long-term or widespread use can cause side effects like skin thinni...
- How long can I keep using it? Is it okay to use every day long-term?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Hydrocortisone — tap one for details:
Hydrocortisone may be associated with lower levels of 8 nutrients — worth a chat with your pharmacist, not a cause for alarm.
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Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII 776XM7047L
Calcium stearate is a white powder derived from stearic acid and calcium. It works as a lubricant and glidant to help the medicine flow smoothly during manufacturing and prevent ingredients from sticking to equipment.
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UNII J2B2A4N98G
Lactose is a natural sugar derived from milk. In medications, it serves as a filler and binder to add bulk and help hold tablet or capsule ingredients together during manufacturing.
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UNII T5L8T28FGP
Mineral oil is a clear, odorless liquid derived from crude oil. It acts as a lubricant and emollient in medications, helping pills slide smoothly during manufacturing and aiding moisture retention in topical products.
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UNII X045WJ989B
Sorbic acid is a preservative derived from berries that prevents mold, yeast, and bacterial growth in medicines. It keeps the product stable and safe during storage.
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UNII O8232NY3SJ
A plant-based carbohydrate derived from corn kernels. It acts as a filler to add bulk, a binder to hold ingredients together, and a disintegrant to help the tablet break apart in your stomach for absorption.
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UNII C151H8M554
A natural sugar derived from sugar cane or sugar beets. It's used as a sweetener, filler, and binder to improve taste, add bulk, and help hold tablet or capsule ingredients together.
6 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
Are inactive ingredients the same for every manufacturer?
Why might an inactive ingredient be missing?
Can inactive ingredients matter?
💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per ea | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $0.978 | $48.91 / 50 tablets |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $0.9325 | $46.63 / 50 tablets |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $0.9810 | $49.05 / 50 tablets |
Where does this data come from?
🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 00115-1696-06 | Amneal | 50 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 50268-0405-15 | AvPAK | 50 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 59651-0413-50 | Aurobindo | 50 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 59762-0073-01 | Mylan | 50 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 60687-0844-21 | American | 30 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 62135-0551-60 | Chartwell | 60 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 64380-0970-25 | Strides | 50 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 70954-0052-10 | ANI | 50 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| hydrocortisone 5 mg 71930-0078-50 | Eywa | 50 tablets | $0.137 | AB | Availability likely | save 86% |
| Cortef 5 mgthis 00009-0012-01 | Pharmacia | 50 tablets | $0.978 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 42543-0970-25 | Strides | 50 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 68788-8455-03 | Preferred | 30 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 71335-1989-01 | Bryant | 30 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 71335-2770-01 | Bryant | 30 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 72789-0227-50 | PD-Rx | 50 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 76420-0028-50 | Asclemed | 50 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 76420-0110-50 | Asclemed | 50 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Hydrocortisone 5 mg 43547-0892-05 | Solco | 50 tablets | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
Where does this data come from?
⏳ Availability & generic status
FDA-approved generic versions are listed, and recent pricing/market data suggests they may be available — see Therapeutic equivalents.
Where does this data come from?
🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Age at onset
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
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📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 00009-0012-01 You're viewing this | 50 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE (0009-0012-01) | 1952-12-15 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE CORTEF Tablets are indicated in the following conditions. 1. Endocrine Disorders Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance) Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Non suppurative thyroiditis Hypercalcemia associated with cancer 2.
Rheumatic Disorders As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in: Psoriatic arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy) Ankylosing spondylitis Acute and subacute bursitis Acute nonspecific tenosynovitis Acute gouty arthritis Post-traumatic osteoarthritis Synovitis of osteoarthritis Epicondylitis 3. Collagen Diseases During an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of: Systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis) Acute rheumatic carditis 4.
Dermatologic Diseases Pemphigus Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis Severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome) Exfoliative dermatitis Mycosis fungoides Severe psoriasis Severe seborrheic dermatitis 5. Allergic States Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment: Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis Serum sickness Bronchial asthma Contact dermatitis Atopic dermatitis Drug hypersensitivity reactions 6. Ophthalmic Diseases Severe acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa such as: Allergic conjunctivitis Keratitis Allergic corneal marginal ulcers Herpes zoster ophthalmicus Iritis and iridocyclitis Chorioretinitis Anterior segment inflammation Diffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditis Optic neuritis Sympathetic ophthalmia 7.
Respiratory Diseases Symptomatic sarcoidosis Loeffler's syndrome not manageable by other means Berylliosis Fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy Aspiration pneumonitis 8. Hematologic Disorders Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults Secondary thrombocytopenia in adults Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia Erythroblastopenia (RBC anemia) Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia 9. Neoplastic Diseases For palliative management of: Leukemias and lymphomas in adults Acute leukemia of childhood 10.
Edematous States To induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus. 11. Gastrointestinal Diseases To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in: Ulcerative colitis Regional enteritis 12.
Miscellaneous Tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The initial dosage of CORTEF Tablets may vary from 20 mg to 240 mg of hydrocortisone per day depending on the specific disease entity being treated. In situations of less severity lower doses will generally suffice while in selected patients higher initial doses may be required. The initial dosage should be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted.
If after a reasonable period of time there is a lack of satisfactory clinical response, CORTEF should be discontinued and the patient transferred to other appropriate therapy. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED THAT DOSAGE REQUIREMENTS ARE VARIABLE AND MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED ON THE BASIS OF THE DISEASE UNDER TREATMENT AND THE RESPONSE OF THE PATIENT. After a favorable response is noted, the proper maintenance dosage should be determined by decreasing the initial drug dosage in small decrements at appropriate time intervals until the lowest dosage which will maintain an adequate clinical response is reached.
It should be kept in mind that constant monitoring is needed in regard to drug dosage. Included in the situations which may make dosage adjustments necessary are changes in clinical status secondary to remissions or exacerbations in the disease process, the patient's individual drug responsiveness, and the effect of patient exposure to stressful situations not directly related to the disease entity under treatment; in this latter situation it may be necessary to increase the dosage of CORTEF for a period of time consistent with the patient's condition.
If after long-term therapy the drug is to be stopped, it is recommended that it be withdrawn gradually, rather than abruptly.
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS Systemic fungal infections and known hypersensitivity to components
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to unusual stress, increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated. Immunosuppression and Increased Risk of Infection Corticosteroids, including CORTEF, suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infection with any pathogen, including viral, bacterial, fungal, protozoan, or helminthic pathogens. Corticosteroids can: • Reduce resistance to new infections • Exacerbate existing infections • Increase the risk of disseminated infections • Increase the risk of reactivation or exacerbation of latent infections • Mask some signs of infection Corticosteroid-associated infections can be mild but can be severe and at times fatal.
The rate of infectious complications increases with increasing corticosteroid dosages. Monitor for the development of infection and consider CORTEF withdrawal or dosage reduction as needed. Tuberculosis If CORTEF is used to treat a condition in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, reactivation of tuberculosis may occur.
Closely monitor such patients for reactivation. During prolonged CORTEF therapy, patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity should receive chemoprophylaxis. Varicella Zoster and Measles Viral Infections Varicella and measles can have a serious or even fatal course in non-immune patients taking corticosteroids, including CORTEF.
In corticosteroid-treated patients who have not had these diseases or are non-immune, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure to varicella and measles: • If a CORTEF-treated patient is exposed to varicella, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin may be indicated. If varicella develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered. • If a CORTEF-treated patient is exposed to measles, prophylaxis with immunoglobulin may be indicated. Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation Hepatitis B virus reactivation can occur in patients who are hepatitis B carriers treated with immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids, including CORTEF.
Reactivation can also occur infrequently in corticosteroid-treated patients who appear to have resolved hepatitis B infection. Screen patients for hepatitis B infection before initiating immunosuppressive (e.g., prolonged) treatment with CORTEF. For patients who show evidence of hepatitis B infection, recommend consultation with physicians with expertise in managing hepatitis B regarding monitoring and consideration for hepatitis B antiviral therapy.
Fungal Infections Corticosteroids, including CORTEF, may exacerbate systemic fungal infections; therefore, avoid CORTEF use in the presence of such infections unless CORTEF is needed to control drug reactions. For patients on chronic CORTEF therapy who develop systemic fungal infections, CORTEF withdrawal or dosage reduction is recommended. Amebiasis Corticosteroids, including CORTEF, may activate latent amebiasis.
Therefore, it is recommended that latent amebiasis or active amebiasis be ruled out before initiating CORTEF in patients who have spent time in the tropics or patients with unexplained diarrhea. Strongyloides Infestation Corticosteroids, including CORTEF, should be used with great care in patients with known or suspected Strongyloides (threadworm) infestation. In such patients, corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression may lead to Strongyloides hyperinfection and dissemination with widespread larval migration, often accompanied by severe enterocolitis and potentially fatal gram-negative septicemia.
Cerebral Malaria Avoid corticosteroids, including CORTEF, in patients with cerebral malaria. Ophthalmic Effects Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce posterior subcapsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses. Kaposi’s Sarcoma Kaposi’s sarcoma has been reported to occur in patients receiving corti…
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances Sodium retention Fluid retention Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients Potassium loss Hypokalemic alkalosis Hypertension Musculoskeletal Muscle weakness Steroid myopathy Loss of muscle mass Osteoporosis Tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon Vertebral compression fractures Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads Pathologic fracture of long bones Gastrointestinal Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage Pancreatitis Abdominal distention Ulcerative esophagitis Increases in alanine transaminase (ALT, SGPT), aspartate transaminase (AST, SGOT) and alkaline phosphatase have been observed following corticosteroid treatment.
These changes are usually small, not associated with any clinical syndrome and are reversible upon discontinuation. Dermatologic Impaired wound healing Thin fragile skin Petechiae and ecchymoses Facial erythema Increased sweating May suppress reactions to skin tests Neurological Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually after treatment Convulsions Vertigo Headache Epidural lipomatosis Endocrine Development of Cushingoid state Suppression of growth in children Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness Menstrual irregularities Decreased carbohydrate tolerance Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics Ophthalmic Central serous chorioretinopathy Posterior subcapsular cataracts Increased intraocular pressure Glaucoma Exophthalmos Metabolic Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism Blood and lymphatic system disorders Leukocytosis
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
Drug Interactions The pharmacokinetic interactions listed below are potentially clinically important. Drugs that induce hepatic enzymes such as phenobarbital, phenytoin and rifampin may increase the clearance of corticosteroids and may require increases in corticosteroid dose to achieve the desired response. Drugs such as troleandomycin and ketoconazole may inhibit the metabolism of corticosteroids and thus decrease their clearance.
Therefore, the dose of corticosteroid should be titrated to avoid steroid toxicity. Corticosteroids may increase the clearance of chronic high dose aspirin. This could lead to decreased salicylate serum levels or increase the risk of salicylate toxicity when corticosteroid is withdrawn.
Aspirin should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in patients suffering from hypoprothrombinemia. The effect of corticosteroids on oral anticoagulants is variable. There are reports of enhanced as well as diminished effects of anticoagulants when given concurrently with corticosteroids.
Therefore, coagulation indices should be monitored to maintain the desired anticoagulant effect.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED CORTEF Tablets are available in the following strengths and package sizes: 5 mg (white, round, scored, imprinted CORTEF 5) Bottles of 50 NDC 0009-0012-01 10 mg (white, round, scored, imprinted CORTEF 10) Bottles of 100 NDC 0009-0031-01 20 mg (white, round, scored, imprinted CORTEF 20) Bottles of 100 NDC 0009-0044-01 Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP].
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION CORTEF Tablets contain hydrocortisone which is a glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids are adrenocortical steroids, both naturally occurring and synthetic, which are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Hydrocortisone USP is white to practically white, odorless, crystalline powder with a melting point of about 215° C.
It is very slightly soluble in water and in ether; sparingly soluble in acetone and in alcohol; slightly soluble in chloroform. The chemical name for hydrocortisone is pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione,11,17,21-trihydroxy-, (11β)-. Its molecular weight is 362.46 and the structural formula is as outlined below.
CORTEF Tablets are available for oral administration in three strengths: each tablet contains either 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg of hydrocortisone. Inactive ingredients: calcium stearate, corn starch, lactose, mineral oil, sorbic acid, sucrose. Chemical Structure
💬 Information for Patients ▾
Information for the Patient Persons who are on immunosuppressant doses of corticosteroids should be warned to avoid exposure to chicken pox or measles. Patients should also be advised that if they are exposed, medical advice should be sought without delay.