Question 1

What is hydrocortisone?

Accepted Answer

ALKINDI SPRINKLE contains hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid, also known as cortisol. The chemical name of hydrocortisone is 11β,17α,21-trihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione and it has the chemical formula of C 21 H 30 O 5 , and molecular weight of 362 g·mol −1 . Hydrocortisone is a white or almost white powder soluble in the pH range of 1-7. Structural formula of hydrocortisone: ALKINDI SPRINKLE are oral granules contained within hard capsules. The inactive ingredients in the granules are microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate and ethyl cellulose and the capsule shell contains hypromellose. The printing ink contains shellac, propylene glycol and concentrated ammonia solution. The printing ink also contains red iron oxide, potassium hydroxide for 0.5 mg (red), indigotine for 1 mg (blue), indigotine, yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide for 2 mg (green) and titanium dioxide, black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide for 5 mg (gray). Structure

Question 2

What kind of drug is hydrocortisone?

Accepted Answer

The FDA classifies hydrocortisone as a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids mimic the body's natural stress hormone cortisol: they enter cells and bind a glucocorticoid receptor that switches off genes for inflammatory chemicals, calming swelling, redness, and an overactive immune response. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Question 3

Can you take hydrocortisone with other medicines?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run hydrocortisone against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

Question 4

What brand names is hydrocortisone sold under?

Accepted Answer

We track 14 hydrocortisone-containing products in the U.S.: Hydrocortone, Cortenema, Cortril, Hydrocortisone Valerate, Acticort, Alkindi Sprinkle, Cort-Dome and Cortef, and 6 more. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Question 5

What forms does hydrocortisone come in?

Accepted Answer

Across the brands we track, hydrocortisone is currently marketed as injectable, tablet, enema, topical, powder, spray/inhaler, solution and suspension, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Question 6

Is there a generic hydrocortisone?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our catalog lists 4 generic hydrocortisone products alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Question 7

Has hydrocortisone been recalled?

Accepted Answer

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions hydrocortisone. The most recent: Med Pride, HYDROCORTISONE CREAM 1%, Net Wt. 16oz (454g) tubes, Manufactured for:… (Jun 2, 2026). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Hydrocortone	72/100	Prescription	Injectable	Generic	$0	View →
2	Cortenema	70/100	Prescription	Enema	Generic

Hydrocortisone: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Key facts

How hydrocortisone is dosed

Hydrocortisone side effects

Every hydrocortisone product we track (14)

Combination products containing hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone recalls

Frequently asked questions

Who shouldn’t take hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone drug interactions