How does it work?

Hydrocortisone acetate is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are hormones produced naturally by the adrenal glands which have many important functions, including control of inflammatory responses. Hydrocortisone acetate is used to decrease inflammation. It works by acting within cells to prevent the release of certain chemicals that are important in the immune system. These chemicals are normally involved in producing immune and allergic responses, resulting in inflammation. By decreasing the release of these chemicals in a particular area, inflammation is reduced. This can help control a wide number of disease states, characterised by excessive inflammation. These include inflammation of the joints in arthritis. Hydrocortisone acetate is given by injection directly into a joint or the tissue around a joint, to relieve inflammation and pain and increase mobility of the affected joint, in conditions such as arthritis or inflamed tissue surrounding a tendon. Although hydrocortisone acetate is given as a local injection, if injections are given at high doses for a prolonged period, they can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Such high doses can result in the usual actions of corticosteroids becoming exaggerated and being observed as side effects of this medicine.

What is it used for?

Inflammation of the envelope (bursa) found around parts of the body which are subject to friction e.g. joints, muscles and tendons (bursitis)

Inflammation of the tissue surrounding a tendon (tenosynovitis)

Inflammatory disease of the joints

Osteoarthritis

Warning!

Although oral and injected corticosteroids are banned by the international olympic committee, injections of corticosteroids into joints are not.

Following joint injection, the occurrence of a distinct increase in pain accompanied by swelling, further restriction of joint movement, fever and malaise are suggestive of an infected arthritis. Antimicrobial treatment should be given to treat this complication.

Injections administered into joints are associated with a risk of infection. Any fluid present in the joint should be examined to exclude bacterial infection before starting treatment. These injections should only be given under sterile conditions.

No more than three joints should be treated in one day. The injection may be repeated at intervals of about three weeks.

If injections are given at high doses for a prolonged period, a steroid card may be supplied with this medicine. This contains details of the prescriber, type of steroid and dose taken and the duration of treatment. It should be carried at all times.

Use with caution in

Adolescents

Children

Diabetes mellitus

Elderly people

Epilepsy

Family history of diabetes

Family history of glaucoma

Glaucoma

High blood pressure

History of or current mental disorder

History of steroid induced mental disturbances

Osteoporosis

Peptic ulcer

Post-menopausal women

Previous muscle disease (myopathy) caused by steroids

Schizophrenia

Tuberculosis

Not to be used in

Infection of the joint, tendon, bursa or surrounding tissue

Infection throughout the body (systemic infection) unless treated with specific anti-infectives

Injection into spinal and other joints without a large range of movement (non-diarthrodial joints).

Injection into tendons

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk. It should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Depression

Increased pressure inside the eye (glaucoma)

Weight gain

Decreased functioning of the adrenal gland (adrenal suppression)

Thinning of the bones (osteoporosis)

Ulceration of the stomach or intestine

Increased susceptibility to infections

Acne

Increased risk of fractures of the bones

Increased hair growth (hirsutism)

Skin thinning

Supression of growth in children and adolescents

Local pain and swelling at the site of injection

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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