Hydrocortisone
CortefPubChem CID 5754 · 3D model
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The lab-made version of the body's own natural stress hormone, cortisol, used to replace what the body isn't making or to calm inflammation and an overactive immune system.
How it works
Hydrocortisone is essentially the same molecule as cortisol, the stress hormone your adrenal glands make naturally, so taking it is like replacing a hormone the body isn't producing enough of. It works by entering cells, binding a receptor, and traveling to the nucleus, where it changes which genes are turned on, reducing inflammation-causing chemicals. Because it's identical to the body's own hormone, it's the preferred choice when someone's adrenal glands aren't making enough cortisol on their own, rather than a synthetic substitute. In larger doses, it works like other steroids to calm inflammation and an overactive immune system.
What it’s used for
Hydrocortisone is the go-to treatment when the adrenal glands aren't making enough of their own natural steroid hormone, whether due to a primary adrenal problem or a pituitary problem, as well as certain inherited adrenal conditions and some thyroid inflammation. Like other steroids, it's also used short-term for flare-ups of joint and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, for severe allergic and skin reactions, and for serious eye inflammation. Other uses include certain lung conditions, blood disorders caused by an overactive immune system, some cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, fluid retention from kidney disease, and flare-ups of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Mechanism
- Glucocorticoid receptor agonist (corticosteroid)
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Endocrine / Anti-inflammatory