Hycortil Adverse Reactions

Since Hydrocortisone sodium succinate for Injection is normally employed on a short-term basis it is unlikely that side-effects will occur; however, the possibility of side effects attributable to corticosteroids therapy should be recognized (see Precautions). Such side-effects include: Parenteral corticosteroid therapy: Anaphylactoid reaction, e.g. bronchospasm, hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, subcutaneous and cutaneous atrophy, sterile abscess, laryngeal edema and urticaria.
Gastro-intestinal: Dyspepsia, peptic ulceration with perforation and hemorrhage, abdominal distention, esophageal ulceration, esophageal candidiasis, acute pancreatitis, perforation of bowel. Increase 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.
Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects: Increased susceptibility and severity of infections with suppression of clinical symptoms and signs, opportunistic infections, may suppress reactions to skin tests, recurrence of dormant tuberculosis (see Precautions).
Musculoskeletal: Proximal myopathy, osteoporosis, vertebral and long bone fractures, avascular osteonecrosis, tendon rupture, aseptic necrosis, muscle weakness.
Fluid and electrolyte disturbance: Sodium and water retention, potassium loss, hypertension, hypokalemic alkalosis, congestive heart failure in susceptible patients.
Dermatological: Impaired healing, petechiae and ecchymosis, skin atrophy, bruising, striae, increased sweating, telangiectasia, acne.
Endocrine/metabolic: Suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis; growth suppression in infancy, childhood and adolescence; menstrual irregularity and amenorrhea, Cushingoid facies, hirsutism, weight gain, impaired carbohydrate tolerance with increased requirement for antidiabetic therapy, negative nitrogen and calcium balance, increased appetite.
Neuropsychiatric: Euphoria, psychological dependence, mood swings, depression, personality changes, insomnia, convulsions, increased intra-cranial pressure with papilloedema in children (pseudo-tumour cerebri), usually after treatment withdrawal psychosis, aggravation of schizophrenia seizures.
Ophthalmic: Increased intra-ocular pressure, glaucoma, papilloedema, cataracts with possible damage to the optic nerve, corneal of scleral thinning, exacerbation of ophthalmic viral or fungal disease, exophthalmos.
General: Leukocytosis, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, thrombo-embolism, nausea, malaise.
Withdrawal symptoms: Too rapid a reduction of corticosteroid dosage following prolonged treatment can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency, hypotension and death. However, this is more applicable to corticosteroids with an indication where continuous therapy is given (see Precautions). A "withdrawal syndrome" may also occur including fever, myalgia, arthralgia, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, painful itchy skin nodules and loss of weight.