Source: Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (GB) Revision Year: 2018 Publisher: Actavis UK Limited (Trading style: Actavis), Whiddon Valley, Barnstaple, North Devon, EX32 8NS
ATC Code: D07AA02
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Weak dermatological corticosteroid (group 1).
Hydrocortisone is the main glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. It is used topically for its anti-inflammatory effects, mediated by the reduction of formation, release and action of the various vasoactive chemicals released during inflammation. Thus producing suppression of the clinical manifestations of the disease in a wide range of disorders where inflammation is a prominent feature.
Hydrocortisone is absorbed through skin, particularly in denuded areas.
Corticosteroids are rapidly distributed to all body tissues. They cross the placenta to varying degrees and may be excreted in small amounts in breast milk. Corticosteroids in the circulation are usually extensively bound to plasma proteins, mainly to globulin and less so to albumin.
Hydrocortisone is metabolised in the liver and most body tissues to hydrogenated and degraded forms such as tetrahydrocortisone and tetrahydrocortisol.
The metabolites are excreted in the urine mainly conjugated as glucuronides, together with a very small proportion of unchanged hydrocortisone.
Not Applicable.
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