CORTEF Reviews (HYDROCORTISONE)Average Rating: 3.9 (37 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare CORTEF with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Age from youngest to oldest (reviews with no age reported listed first). Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 |
More on CORTEF: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR CORTEF | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | Suspected Addison's disease | Slight stimulation if I don't take my evening early enough | I have been on prednisone and dexamethasone and I find I become very irritable while taking them. Didn't get any sleep either, and felt nauseus on the latter. | M | 14 days | 4/3/2008 | 4 | Addison's disease | When I was first put on this, I was put on 100mg a day because there was no endo at the hospital and the doctors had no idea how much I was supposed to take. I gained weight like crazy -- starving all the time, gained almost 70lbs. When I was finally able to get into an endo after 4 months (we don't have many in our town, so they're overbooked), he tapered my dose down to 20 mg a day, divided into 2 doses. I've stopped gaining weight but can't seem to lose even a pound even though it's been over 2 years. This is very distressing to me. I do like feeling good and not like the walking dead, but I hate the way I look. | F | 20 | 2 years 20mg 1X day | 11/8/2015 | 5 | Adrenal Insufficiency | None. I am on 20 mg a day and going wonderfully. | It has eliminated my hypoglycemia, fatigue, nausea, vertigo, and depression. | F | 24 | 7 weeks | 7/12/2006 | 5 | Adreanal Failure, CFS, FM | Maybe once a week I will take a dose and I will experience a 20 minute period when it feels like I am taking "speed" instead of Cortef. | I was tested using the saliva method and was determind to be in adreanal failure. I started taking Cortef 4 times a day - I have never felt better. It literraly was a lifer saver. The only problem is that it is so artificial - if I forget to take a dose or a day's worth - I can't move. That's what scares me. Sometimes I think Cortef fools me in to thinking I am ALOT better thank I am. | F | 24 | 3 months 10 4X day | 12/28/2010 | 4 | Adrenalectomy Due to Cushing | I had mood swings occasionally. Increased appetite for a while, then I lost my appetite. Trouble sleeping because I take it twice a day, and the last does kicks in about the time I go to bed normally. Otherwise everything is great | I have been taking it since I had my adrenal gland removed in the end of March. | F | 24 | 3 months | 7/1/2007 | 4 | Adrenal insufficiency | Some moodiness/mild depression, small weight gain (less than 5lbs), but considerable stomach bloating (went from size 4 to size 8-10 in pants) | Overall, this medicine has helped a lot! I could barely move a lot of days, and this has allowed me to return to working considerably more hours. Although taking something like this long term isn't anyone's ideal, I don't know what I would do without it. The side effects are tolerable considering the huge gain. | F | 25 | 3 months | 12/4/2009 | 4 | Adrenal fatigue | Only stomach aches but desappearing after 4 days of taking it. Now I can take the Cortef without food. | My left adrenal stop to hurt and it now is swelling. The right adrenal hurt a lot, but it stop to hurt. My AM cortisol level (without cortef) increased after 2 months of treatment and im feeling better. | M | 25 | 2 months 5 mg 3X day | 8/8/2011 | 1 | I immediately gained weight. Went from being really skinny to obese. | F | 26 | 17 years | 8/24/2018 | 4 | Adrenal Insufficiency | Slight weight gain. | I switched from prednisone to Cortef as the prednisone was making me severely irritable and giving me insomnia. Cortef is much more gentle on my system, I can sleep again, and it makes me feel normal! | F | 33 | 2 days | 3/27/2007 | 4 | Adrenal Insufficiency | Caution to those who are emotionally sensitive to weight gain, or if weight gain is medically dangerous: before starting Cortef, know that chances are you WILL gain weight. I have gained nearly 30 lbs. over 14 months. I'm finally tapering off Cortef, but the weight is stubborn as all get up. Even with exercise & severe caloric restriction (800 cals or less daily) I've only lost about 10 lbs over 3 months. Cortef helped me, but the weight gain is awful. I knew this going in, but didn't realize how badly it would affect me. Cortef affects metabolic function, fat storage and carbohydrate cravings. Weight gain happens if Cortef is taken in high doses, or even in small doses for long periods of time. I learned my doc kept me on it for much too long. If your doc says you need it temporarily, hold him or her to this statement, and do not let them keep you on it for longer than 6 months or you will face the battle of the bulge. | F | 38 | 14 months .5 mg 1X day | 11/11/2016 Patient History | 5 | adrenal insufficiency | increased appetite for a few weeks, then actually did not feel as hungry. | I believe this has stabilized my system, no mood swings, migranes decreased and have more energy, and generalized body pain decreased | F | 40 | 6 days | 8/24/2005 | 4 | Hypopituitarism Sheehan | I struggled with a misdiagnosis for 2 years, cfs fibromyalgia etc until someone noted my low blood pressure and investigated. Upon starting cortef I immediately felt extremely hungry on my initial dose of 50mg and put on 25kgs in 1 month! But there was good stuff too. I could shower without collapsing. I could get away with less sleep and wasn't zoning out in the middle of a conversation! I could move around without becoming breathless and easily tired. Sadly I could never get back to the gym addict I once was coz there's not enough energy for extra things. My dose has been tapered to 10mg in the morning 5mg in the afternoon and 5 at 4pm. Apparently taking it at bedtime could keep you awake. I struggle with abdominal pain every now and again. Not sure if that's from cortef. Can't lose the weight even though I try. Overall effect is good. If I forget a dose I relapse into achy joints and severe fatigue and it takes doubling the doses for a day or 2 to get back to normal! | It's a lifesaver but everyone around you at home and at work need to be aware of your need for it. In case of emergency e.g. sometimes I forget to double it in a crisis such as sudden illness or critically stressful situation like a heat wave or even simple additional overtime at work when you normally knock off at 5pm. Naturally your body's fight/flight reaction could have done that for you, but a hypopituitarism patient has to manually add on a dose. Discuss with your doctor. I add 5mg when I feel I am coming down with a cold and it helps. | F | 40 | 5 years 20 | 12/28/2018 | 5 | low cortisol after Epstein Barr V | AMAZING I am getting my life back. Stronger, more stable, more stamina, not crashing after simple errands. No more shakiness no more weakness. I am actually healing! | I have not gained a single pound. It is letting my thyroid medication actually work instead of pooling in my blood. I am no longer sleepy. Buy the book Safe Uses of Cortisol by Dr. W McK Jeffries - all drs and endo drs should know this work by heart. | F | 42 | 7 weeks 5mg 4X day | 12/10/2011 | 5 | Lupus, exhaustion from CFS | Only remote negative side effect is that I wake up bright eyed at 4:00 am. (not idea to only sleep 7 hours a day-actually caught on while typing this that is normal-would like to get in 8-9, but 4:00 am wake up is small price to pay for me. Which is better than me waking up at noon before and still being to exhausted to do anything beyond climbing back to bed an hour later. | As I typed above- I just realized I sleep like a "Normal person" now vs requiring 14 hours and still not bring able to do much. I fought taking this medication for the 3 years it has been prescribed. I get 90 day supply, but never touched it. Heard to many "horror stories". I'm kicking myself for not listening to Dr. much sooner. I wasted 3 years of my 30s resting. I get slightly revved up feeling if I don't need as much so I adjust dose (with Dr's permission) as needed. Some days I need 20mg. Some days 5 mg. I listen to my body. My entire family noticed a change immediately (even those who have no clue I take it). I feel like I felt prior to getting sick. I've actually lost a pound. Starting to exercise (baby steps) water aerobics has been amazing for me starting out. Obviously do research and listen to your Dr, but please don't discount this med because of some random Internet post about how "evil" this med is. Saved my life and gave my husband/children their wife/ mom back. I have hope for my future. Good luck on your journey~ | F | 42 | 14 days 10-20 1X day | 6/21/2012 | 5 | Adrenal insufficiency | None | After only three days I feel normal again and my partner has noticed a big change. It's incredible, after the oddysey I have been through! | F | 42 | 4 days | 9/8/2009 | 4 | Adrenal Gland Failure | I am also hypoglycemic. This drug seemed to drop my blood sugar even lower, especially in the morning - so I needed to eat when taking it - also added a half glass of orange juice to help. It gave me vertigo some days. | F | 42 | 22 days | 10/5/2005 | 5 | Adrenal insufficiency | Sleep disturbance if taken after lunch. It must be taken in the morning so that my cortisol drops again by night. Otherwise no problems at all. | The cortisol produced by my Adrenals was practically nil (tested by saliva hormone test). Cortef corrected or improved many problems form low cortisol: hypoglycemia, eyes sensitive to bright light, poor stress response, anxiety. | M | 44 | 4 months | 1/4/2007 | 5 | Adrenal System Deficient | Weight gain, and depression though I am on other steroids and it may be a cumulative effect. | After having my Pituitary Gland removed steroid replacement was my only good option. I haven't experienced any of the highs mentioned by others though sleep can be an issue. That issue has been resolved with taking low doses of Ambien on occasion. When I don't follow the daily dosage protocols, I forget or get busy, headaches become an issue. | M | 45 | 4 years 5 3X day | 5/25/2014 | 4 | Sheehan syndrome | My morning cortisol level was low so endocrinologist prescribed for life beginning 20 mg am and 10 mg pm. I have got a new body more energy, less lethargic and high spirit of working, dizziness | Cortef started giving me round face,dry mouth, when delay taking meds given severe neck pain, somewhat helpful for tinnitus, also now notice my lost sex drive coming back spouse is happy but I'm not. | F | 45 | 2 months | 4/23/2017 | 4 | Addisons | some stomach pain | I can tell it is working after only 3 days. Much more energy. | F | 45 | 5 days | 9/4/2005 |
CORTEF (HYDROCORTISONE): Hydrocortisone is a natural substance (corticosteroid hormone) made by the adrenal gland. It is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorders, skin and eye conditions, breathing problems, cancer, and severe allergies. It decreases your immune system's response to various diseases to reduce symptoms such as pain, swelling and allergic-type reactions. Hydrocortisone is also used to treat low hydrocortisone levels caused by diseases of the adrenal gland (such as Addison's disease, adrenocortical insufficiency). Corticosteroids are needed in many ways for the body to function well. They are important for salt and water balance and keeping blood pressure normal. (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)