CORTEF ACETATE vs HYDROCORTONE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 23, 2026·How we rate

Attribute	CORTEF ACETATE	HYDROCORTONE
Rating	New	70/100
Pharmacy pays	$0.15 /g	$0.15 /g
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE	HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE
Manufacturer	Pharmacia and Upjohn	Merck
Dosage forms	Topical, Injectable	Injectable, Tablet
Drug class	Corticosteroid	Corticosteroid
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	about 1.5 hours	about 1.5 hours
Treats	Adrenal Insufficiency, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Ulcerative Colitis	Adrenal Insufficiency, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Ulcerative Colitis

cortef acetate hydrocortone

Rating

New

70/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.15 /g

Type

Active ingredient

HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE

Manufacturer

Pharmacia and Upjohn

Merck

Dosage forms

Topical, Injectable

Injectable, Tablet

Drug class

Corticosteroid

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 1.5 hours

Treats

Adrenal Insufficiency, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Ulcerative Colitis

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, Cortef Acetate or Hydrocortone?

Pharmacies pay about the same to acquire either one — roughly $0.15 per gm, per the CMS NADAC survey. That is not what you will be charged: your price is set by your insurer and the pharmacy, not by what the drug cost them.

What is the difference between Cortef Acetate and Hydrocortone?

Both Cortef Acetate and Hydrocortone share the active ingredient Hydrocortisone Acetate.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.