Hydrocortisone - side effects of this drug are numerous, however, it is a highly effective drug belonging to the group of glucocorticoid hormones, which is used to reduce inflammation and allergic reactions, swelling and itching.

Adverse effects of hydrocortisone with the endocrine system and metabolism

Hydrocortisone affects various organs and tissues at the cellular level. Long-term use of this drug may cause significant disturbances to the endocrine system.

So, hydrocortisone can inhibit the secretion of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which leads to disruption of the menstrual cycle and oocyte maturation. It is also possible growth suppression in children, adrenocortical function and through the function of the hypothalamus, which leads to the development of Cushing's syndrome, which is characterized by obesity, lunoobrazmym face increased hairiness, disturbance of intelligence.

Under the action of hydrocortisone Hydrocortisone - a drug that could save the life of the patient   a decrease in carbohydrate tolerance and develops so-called steroid diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease .

Violated the water-salt metabolism. Excreted active calcium ions (resulting in the development of osteoporosis) and potassium (developing cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness), whereas sodium ions and trapped fluid (edema appear).

Increased protein breakdown leads to decreased immunity and muscle atrophy, and impaired fat metabolism and fluid retention - to an increase in body weight.

Side effects of hydrocortisone in the central nervous system and sensory organs

Side effects of hydrocortisone on the part of the central nervous system are manifested as dizziness, headache, increased intracranial pressure, mental disorders, depressed mood, or groundless, on the contrary, euphoria, excitement, coupled with anxiety, memory loss, seizures.

For part of the view may appear glaucoma Glaucoma - a perspective possible blindness   (increased intraocular pressure), cataracts Cataracts - how to solve the problem completely? , Exophthalmos (protrusion of the eyeball), secondary bacterial eye infections, viral and fungal origin.

Side effects of hydrocortisone on the part of the cardiovascular system

These side effects generally associated with electrolyte metabolism disorders, developing against the background of long-term use of hydrocortisone. The first is cardiac arrhythmia, emerging with a deficiency of potassium, - different types of arrhythmias including bradycardia (slow heart rate), up to a cardiac arrest.

Latency of sodium ions in the body fluids and increases the load on the heart and blood pressure (BP), promotes the development of hypertension and chronic cardiovascular disease. Stagnation of blood in the circulatory system, in turn, contributes to increased thrombosis.

Infringement of blood circulation leads to a deterioration of the patients with myocardial infarction due to the spread of necrosis of the heart muscle. Also slowing the formation of scar tissue at the site of myocardial necrosis that can lead to its tearing.

Side effects of hydrocortisone from other organs and systems

Hydrocortisone irritates the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract due to stimulation of gastric acid secretion. This can lead to the formation of steroid erosive gastritis and gastric ulcers, gastric bleeding and perforation of the stomach wall. Characteristic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, increased or decreased appetite, flatulence, hiccups. Sometimes the effects of hydrocortisone developed transient liver function abnormalities, which appear mainly in the form of changes in laboratory parameters.

Under the influence of hydrocortisone may be reduced general and local immunity, leading to frequent colds and secondary bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

On the part of the skin can be delayed wound healing, the appearance of the skin petechiae, thinning of the skin, the appearance of her pigmented and white spots, acne (acne steroid), stretch marks, pustular rash and skin candidiasis. Allergic reactions are also possible, but they are rare.

Local reactions at intramuscular and intravenous injection - a burning sensation, numbness, pain, sensory disturbances (creeping sensation through the body), the development of infection at the injection site necrosis of surrounding tissue, scarring, atrophy of skin and subcutaneous tissue.

When applied topically to the skin may appear redness, swelling, itching, burning, dryness, pustular rash, pigmentation disorders, various types of dermatitis, secondary infection, areas of atrophy, stretch marks.

Galina Romanenko

Hydrocortisone - a drug that is most commonly used in emergency situations where life is an urgent need to remove tissue swelling, allergic reactions, or thyrotoxic crisis that threatens the destruction of the patient. In this case of contraindications for use of the drug is not.

How does hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone - a synthetic drug from the group consisting of glucocorticoid hormones (corticosteroids), which produces the human adrenal cortex (natural glucocorticosteroids - cortisol).

All corticosteroids have potent anti-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect, which occurs very quickly, hydrocortisone in this regard is no exception and, therefore, it is widely used for emergency removal of edema and allergic reactions.

The mechanism of action of hydrocortisone linked to an active influence on many metabolic, endocrine and other physiological processes, including at the cellular level by regulating the synthesis of cellular enzymes.

Hydrocortisone inhibits the secretion of pituitary thyroid stimulating (stimulating production of thyroid hormones) and follicle-stimulating (stimulating the maturation of the egg in the ovary) hormones, which can have both positive and negative effects on the human body.

The impact on the metabolism of hydrocortisone Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting   It is to enhance the formation of glucose from protein and products of their metabolism (gluconeogenesis) and increasing deposits reserves of glucose as glycogen in the liver. And this in turn contributes to blood glucose secretion of insulin by the pancreas further The principles of action of insulin - the science of saving lives . Continual stimulation of endocrine function of the pancreas can result in an exhaustion and the development of diabetes and obesity. Under the influence of gidrokrtizona reduced general and local (skin) immunity.

Under the influence of hydrocortisone and disrupted water-salt metabolism - there is a delay in the body of sodium and fluid that is formed edema. Simultaneously, under the influence of hydrocortisone intensively excreted potassium ions and calcium - this leads to the dysfunction of the muscles in the first cardiac muscle - the myocardium, and the loss of bone calcium and thinning - osteoporosis.

With long-term appointment of hydrocortisone in high doses may occur nervousness tissue of the brain and the brain, and seizures.

Hydrocortisone also contributes to increased production of hydrochloric acid and pepsin in the stomach, and this increases the risk of erosive and ulcerative processes in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

The use of hydrocortisone in medicine

Hydrocortisone in the form of slurry for injection is usually used in an emergency relief of allergic reactions, tissue edema of any origin, and for relieving symptoms thyrotoxic crisis and acute adrenal dysfunction.

Sometimes it is used in the complex treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases. Including hydrocortisone can be used for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory processes, but in this case only on the background antibacterial, antifungal or antiviral therapy, since the use of hydrocortisone causes a sharp decrease in the spread of infection and immunity.

Contraindications for use of hydrocortisone

When emergency contraindications for administration of hydrocortisone is not (except for individual intolerance, which is extremely rare).

With more prolonged systemic administration of hydrocortisone is contraindicated in increased bleeding, osteoporosis and propensity to fractures, aseptic necrosis of the formative joint bones, severe progressive infections.

For external use hydrocortisone contraindicated in lupus TB skin - a rare form of the disease , Syphilis, any benign or malignant tumors, skin manifestations after administration of the vaccine, open wounds, ulcers, children up to two years, while feeding the baby Breastfeeding - a personal choice   feeding.

With caution and only against the background of antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral therapy is used hydrocortisone infections. Just with caution and only for health reasons should be given hydrocortisone during pregnancy.

Side effects of hydrocortisone - how terrible it is?

Side effects of hydrocortisone develop only after prolonged use, so any attempt to assign SCS short course on the background of the basic treatment.

Because of the side effects of this drug are known persistent increase in blood pressure, diabetes, steroid, steroid ulcer, persistent violation of immunity, osteoporosis and so on.

Hydrocortisone may be used only on prescription.

Galina Romanenko