Cortisone Oral Tablet

• Chickenpox and measles warning: This drug can weaken your body’s ability to fight infections. Stay away from people who have chickenpox or measles, especially if you haven’t been vaccinated or haven’t had these diseases before. Call your doctor right away if you have contact with someone who is infected while you’re taking this drug.
• Infections warning: You shouldn’t take this drug if you have an infection. These include fungal, bacterial, or viral infections. Cortisone can weaken your body’s response to infections. This means that your infection may be severe or even fatal (cause death). This drug can also cover up symptoms of infection. If you have any signs of infection, call your doctor right away.

Cortisone oral tablet is a prescription drug. It is only available as a generic drug.

Why it's used

Cortisone helps to decrease inflammation and immune responses. It can also be used as replacement therapy for certain hormones.

This drug is used to treat adrenocortical insufficiency, arthritis, allergic states, and ulcerative colitis. It’s also used to treat anemia, lupus, and skin conditions, including severe psoriasis. This medication may also be used to treat other conditions.

How it works

Cortisone belongs to a class of drugs called glucocorticoids. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Cortisone is a steroid drug. It helps decrease swelling in your body. It also stops your body’s response to different stimuli. It works by stopping the release of molecules that cause inflammation. This also stops your body from having an immune response.

Cortisone oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs you should not use with cortisone

Do not receive live vaccines while you are taking cortisone. Examples of these drugs include:

• the live flu vaccine
• measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine

If you receive a live vaccine, your body might not be able to build up resistance to the virus in the vaccine. The virus can spread in your body and cause side effects.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Cortisone oral tablet is used for both short-term and long-term treatment. The length of your treatment will depend on your condition. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you stop taking this drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking this drug suddenly. If you need to stop taking it, your doctor will slowly reduce your dosage over time. If you don’t take this drug at all, your condition won’t be treated and may get worse.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

• insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)
• nervousness
• increased appetite
• indigestion

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

What to do if you miss a dose: Take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, call your doctor or pharmacist. You might need to miss a dose or take an extra dose depending on the condition you’re treating. Don’t take an extra dose without checking with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to tell if the drug is working: You should have fewer symptoms and decreased inflammation.