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Cortef

Cortef contains hydrocortisone, a glucocorticoid corticosteroid, and is registered in ten countries spread across several distinct healthcare regions. Its footprint is mid-sized rather than global, with marketing authorisation in markets as varied as Canada, Russia, Hong Kong, Tunisia, and Bangladesh — a list that does not cluster neatly into a single region.

Hydrocortisone is one of the longest-established corticosteroid molecules in clinical use, and Cortef is prescribed across a broad range of indications reflecting that versatility. The registered uses include inflammatory and allergic conditions such as asthma and dermatitis, dermatological conditions including psoriasis and pemphigus, and supportive roles in oncological contexts such as leukaemia, chemotherapy, and certain cancer-related situations, as well as use alongside therapy for tuberculosis. The structured indication list further down this page reflects the full set of registered uses recognised in the markets where Cortef is sold.

Because corticosteroid prescribing is highly individualised — the same molecule is used for everything from a localised skin complaint to systemic immunological management — the form, route, and clinical context in which Cortef is dispensed differ significantly from country to country. A traveller or expatriate carrying a Cortef prescription from one market may find that the local equivalent in another country is presented under a different brand name, in a different format, or as a generic hydrocortisone product.

Other corticosteroids in the same broad pharmacological class are widely available internationally under different molecules and brand names, and a local pharmacist can help identify what is registered in a given market. Decisions about starting, stopping, or substituting corticosteroid therapy belong with a healthcare provider who knows the patient's full clinical picture.

Countries
Bangladesh Bosnia & Herzegowina Canada Croatia (Hrvatska) Hong Kong Hungary Russia Slovenia Tunisia USA
Diseases
Asthma Dermatitis Psoriasis Leukemia Chemotherapy Pemphigus Tuberculosis Cancer Meningitis Anemia Hypercalcemia Atopic Dermatitis Colitis Arthritis,Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Rhinitis Pneumonitis Ankylosing Spondylitis Bursitis Osteoarthritis Psoriatic Arthritis Spondylitis Tenosynovitis Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis Enteritis Lymphoma Seborrheic Dermatitis Allergic Conjunctivitis Neuritis Gout Gouty Arthritis Synovitis Nephrotic Syndrome Berylliosis Lupus Congenital adrenal hyperplasia Dermatitis,atopic Dermatitis,contact Dermatomyositis Iridocyclitis Iritis Keratitis Colitis,ulcerative Mycosis fungoides Optic neuritis Neoplastic diseases Shingles Polymyositis Proteinuria Purpura Sarcoidosis Pink eye Loeffler's syndrome Stevens-johnson syndrome Systemic lupus erythematosus Serum sickness Trichinosis Pulmonary tuberculosis Tuberculous meningitis Chorioretinitis Erythema Erythroblastopenia
Ingredients
Hydrocortisone
Drug Actions
Antiallergic Antiexudative Antipruritic Anti-inflammatory Corticosteroids, dermatological preparations Glucocorticoid Desensitizing Antihemorrhoidal Anti-shock Corticosteroids for systemic use Weak
How does this drug class actually work?
Read the plain-language explainer in Pharmacology Academy (H1 antihistamines) →

Drugs with the same active ingredients

Alfacort Alfacort (hydrocortisone) Altus Altus (antibacterials_corticosteroid) Anusol duo Azuthidrona Ciprofloxacina lazar Ciprofloxacina lazar(antibacterials_corticosteroids) Cirflox-otic Demacort Disel con hidrocortisona Epiprocto Fridalit Fucidin h Fucidin-h Hidrocortisona drawer Hidrocortisona fabra Hidrocortisona klonal Hidrocortisona northia Hidrocortisona richet

Overdose

No information provided.

Undesirable effects

Fluid And Electrolyte Disturbances

Sodium retention
Fluid retention
Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients
Potassium loss
Hypokalemic alkalosis
Hypertension

Musculoskeletal

Muscle weakness
Steroid myopathy
Loss of muscle mass
Osteoporosis
Tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon
Vertebral compression fractures
Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads
Pathologic fracture of long bones

Gastrointestinal

Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage
Pancreatitis
Abdominal distention
Ulcerative esophagitis
Increases 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.

Dermatologic

Impaired wound healing
Thin fragile skin
Petechiae and ecchymoses
Facial erythema
Increased sweating
May suppress reactions to skin tests

Neurological

Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually after treatment
Convulsions
Vertigo
Headache

Endocrine

Development of Cushingoid state
Suppression of growth in children
Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness
Menstrual irregularities
Decreased carbohydrate tolerance
Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus
Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics

Ophthalmic

Posterior subcapsular cataracts
Increased intraocular pressure
Glaucoma
Exophthalmos

Metabolic

Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism

Date of revision of the text

Sep 2013

Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

SIDE EFFECTS Fluid And Electrolyte Disturbances

Sodium retention
Fluid retention
Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients
Potassium loss
Hypokalemic alkalosis
Hypertension

Musculoskeletal

Muscle weakness
Steroid myopathy
Loss of muscle mass
Osteoporosis
Tendon rupture, particularly of the Achilles tendon
Vertebral compression fractures
Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads
Pathologic fracture of long bones

Gastrointestinal

Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage
Pancreatitis
Abdominal distention
Ulcerative esophagitis
Increases 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.

Dermatologic

Impaired wound healing
Thin fragile skin
Petechiae and ecchymoses
Facial erythema
Increased sweating
May suppress reactions to skin tests

Neurological

Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually after treatment
Convulsions
Vertigo
Headache

Endocrine

Development of Cushingoid state
Suppression of growth in children
Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery or illness
Menstrual irregularities
Decreased carbohydrate tolerance
Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus
Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics

Ophthalmic

Posterior subcapsular cataracts
Increased intraocular pressure
Glaucoma
Exophthalmos

Metabolic

Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism

DRUG INTERACTIONS

The pharmacokinetic interactions listed below are potentially clinically important. Drugs that induce hepatic enzymes such as phenobarbital, phenytoin and rifampin may increase the clearance of corticosteroids and may require increases in corticosteroid dose to achieve the desired response. Drugs such as troleandomycin and ketoconazole may inhibit the metabolism of corticosteroids and thus decrease their clearance. Therefore, the dose of corticosteroid should be titrated to avoid steroid toxicity. Corticosteroids may increase the clearance of chronic high dose aspirin. This could lead to decreased salicylate serum levels or increase the risk of salicylate toxicity when corticosteroid is withdrawn. Aspirin should be used cautiously in conjunction with corticosteroids in patients suffering from hypoprothrombinemia. The effect of corticosteroids on oral anticoagulants is variable. There are reports of enhanced as well as diminished effects of anticoagulants when given concurrently with corticosteroids. Therefore, coagulation indices should be monitored to maintain the desired anticoagulant effect.

Frequently asked questions

What conditions does Cortef treat?

Cortef is prescribed across a wide range of conditions reflecting the broad clinical role of corticosteroids. Registered indications include asthma, dermatitis, psoriasis, and pemphigus, alongside supportive use in leukaemia, chemotherapy, and certain cancer contexts, as well as use in conjunction with treatment for tuberculosis. The structured indication block below this introduction sets out the full list of registered uses recognised in the markets where Cortef is sold.

Which active substance is in Cortef?

Cortef contains hydrocortisone, classified as a glucocorticoid and corticosteroid for both dermatological and systemic use. Hydrocortisone is one of the most established molecules in the corticosteroid class and circulates internationally under a number of different brand names and as a generic, in formats ranging from topical preparations to oral and injectable products depending on the market and the clinical context.

In how many countries is Cortef available?

Cortef is registered in ten countries, spanning several distinct regions rather than a single cluster. Examples include Canada, Russia, Hong Kong, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Hungary, and Slovenia. If your country is not represented on this list, hydrocortisone itself is very widely available worldwide under other brand names, and a local pharmacist can confirm what corticosteroid products are registered in your market.

Are there other medications with the same active ingredient as Cortef?

Hydrocortisone is sold under several brand names worldwide and as a generic in many markets, in topical, oral, and injectable formats. Other molecules within the broader corticosteroid class are also widely available internationally, although they are not freely interchangeable — different corticosteroids vary in potency, route, and clinical positioning. To identify a local hydrocortisone-containing product, search the active ingredient on Pill2Trip or ask a pharmacist.

Should I consult a doctor before taking Cortef?

Yes. Corticosteroid therapy is highly individualised, and the same molecule may be prescribed for very different conditions at very different intensities depending on the clinical context. Prescription requirements, available formats, and registered indications also vary between countries, which matters for travellers and people relocating internationally. Any decision to begin, continue, change, or discontinue Cortef should be made with a healthcare provider familiar with the patient.

Cortef

Available in 10 countries