Cortisone

Introduction

Written by Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA 
Updated on October 25, 2023

Cortisone (KOR ti sone) is a generic medication prescribed for a variety of conditions, including hormone problems, conditions affecting the joints, ligaments, tendons, or bones, certain connective tissue conditions, and more. Cortisone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved cortisone for various conditions, including:

• endocrine (hormone) problems
• rheumatic (conditions affecting the joints, ligaments, tendons, or bones) disorders
• collagen (connective tissue throughout the body) conditions
• certain skin, eye, and lung conditions
• allergies and asthma
• blood conditions
• certain types of cancer
• certain conditions that cause fluid to build up in the body
• digestive conditions
• certain types of infections

Common questions about cortisone

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about cortisone.

Is cortisone available as a topical cream?

No, cortisone is not available as a topical* cream. Cortisone is only available as a tablet. There are other topical corticosteroid creams available, such as triamcinolone, that can be used to treat various skin conditions.

If you would like to know more about topical corticosteroid creams, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does cortisone work? And how long does it take to start working?

Cortisone works by replacing the amount of glucocorticoids in your body. Glucocorticoids are naturally occurring steroids that perform many of the body’s functions. Those functions include managing inflammation and the body’s response to stress. Having low levels of glucocorticoids may lead to other health conditions. Cortisone can help to increase glucocorticoid levels and treat a variety of conditions.

Cortisone tablet begins to work about an hour after taking it by mouth. It may take a few weeks of treatment to begin to see improvement in your health condition.

If you’d like to know more about how cortisone works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* A topical product is one that is applied to the skin.

Side effects of cortisone

Cortisone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of cortisone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about cortisone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for cortisone listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with cortisone are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about cortisone’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for cortisone listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Cortisone oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• fluid retention
• high blood pressure
• bloating or abdominal distension
• impaired wound healing
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effetc, see the “Interactions and warnings for cortisone” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of cortisone are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about cortisone’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for cortisone listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, cortisone’s serious side effects include: 

• osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones)
• loss of muscle mass
• inflammation of the pancreas
• convulsions or seizures
• anxiety and depression
• irregular periods
• delayed growth in children
• blood clot in a vein
• adrenal insufficiency
• Cushing syndrome
• cataracts
• glaucoma
• increased risk of infection
• severe allergic reaction*

*For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for cortisone” section.

Uses of cortisone

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as cortisone for certain conditions. Approved uses for cortisone are described below.

Use for adrenal gland conditions

Doctors may prescribe cortisone oral tablet for treating certain adrenal gland conditions. It’s used for this purpose in children and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

With certain adrenal gland conditions, the body doesn’t create the right amounts of steroids and hormones. Cortisone tablets are used to increase the levels of steroids and hormones in the body. Some examples of adrenal gland conditions that cortisone tablets can be used to treat include:

• adrenocortical insufficiency (low levels of steroids in the body)
• congenital adrenal hyperplasia (genetic disorder that causes low levels of hormone production in the body)

Use for inflammatory conditions

Doctors may prescribe cortisone oral tablet for treating various inflammatory conditions. It’s used for this purpose in children and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With inflammatory conditions, your immune system becomes overactive and causes swelling and damage to your body. Cortisone is prescribed to treat many conditions related to inflammation. Some examples include:

• rheumatoid arthritis
• psoriasis
• systemic lupus erythematous
• ulcerative colitis

Cortisone may be prescribed with other drugs to treat various inflammatory conditions.

Interactions and warnings for cortisone

Below, you’ll find information about cortisone’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of cortisone

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take cortisone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs 
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for cortisone” section below.

Warnings for cortisone

Some people should not take cortisone, and others should take it cautiously.

Cortisone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether cortisone is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of cortisone you take.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for cortisone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Cortisone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to cortisone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe cortisone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to cortisone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of cortisone

If you take cortisone by mouth, you should not take more cortisone than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much cortisone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and cortisone

Information about cortisone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Cortisone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether cortisone should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Cortisone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether cortisone should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about cortisone or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can I take cortisone with other prescribed medications?
• What happens if I miss a dose of cortisone?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects while taking cortisone than others?

Resources

• Cortisone acetate tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/cc158d11-f356-4696-8b73-5d2681dcbcf2/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.