Hydrocortisone
(Plenadren®, Hydrocortisone)
Available as tablets or capsules.
Tablets, Modified Release Tablets
Available as soluble tablets?
Yes
Available as a liquid?
Yes - unlicensed
Available as something for placing under your tongue?
Yes - muco-adhesive buccal tablet
Available as something for placing on your gum?
Yes - muco-adhesive buccal tablet
Available as granules?
Yes - granules in capsules for opening
Available as a patch for putting on your skin?
No
Available as an injection?
Yes
Available as nasal/oral spray?
No
Safe or appropriate to crush
Yes- some capsules contain granules and are designed to be opened. Granules must not be chewed. The granules are either poured directly onto the tongue, or poured onto a spoon and placed in the mouth. For patients who are able to take soft food, the granules may be sprinkled onto a spoonful of cold or room temperature soft food (such as yoghurt or fruit puree) and given immediately.
Additional information for Healthcare Professionals+
Generic name
Hydrocortisone
Usual formulation brand names
Plenadren®
Is tablet/capsule specially coated?
No
Modified release
Yes (M/R tablets)
Film coated
No
Enteric coated
No
Sugar coated
No
Soluble tablet strength
10mg
Sublingual/buccal formulation strength
2.5mg
Granule strength
0.5mg, 1mg, 2mg, 5mg
Transdermal patch strength
-
Injection strength
100mg solution for injection & powder for injection; 25mg/ml suspension for injection
Nasal/oral spray Strength
-
Available as a licensed liquid or special?
Specials - oral suspension
Are specials or imports available?
On Specials Tariff
Liquid strengths
5mg/5ml, 10mg/5ml
Is the liquid medicine sugar free?
Yes - Check with Manufacturer
Licensed for administration via enteral tube
No
Advice on administration via enteral tube
First line choice is to administer as parenteral injection if appropriate. Current resources suggest that it is likely to be safe to administer via enteral feeding tubes, however this is an unlicensed use of the medication. Clinicians should refer to specialist resources for advice on how to administer this medication via enteral feeding tubes.
Notes
Eye drops, creams and ointments available