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Cortisone

ATC code H02AB10

Also known as: Cortison, Kortizon, Cortisone Acetate

Key facts
Active substance
Cortisone
Drug class
Glucocorticoid
ATC code
H02AB10
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-29

Key facts

Cortisone (as cortisone acetate) is a glucocorticoid. Per the US prescribing information, it is used for adrenocortical insufficiency and many rheumatic, allergic, dermatologic and collagen diseases.

What it is used for

  • Endocrine disorders: primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, nonsuppurative thyroiditis, hypercalcemia associated with cancer
  • Rheumatic disorders as short-term adjunctive therapy, e.g. rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute gouty arthritis, bursitis
  • Collagen diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic carditis, dermatomyositis
  • Severe dermatologic diseases (e.g. pemphigus, severe erythema multiforme, severe psoriasis) and severe allergic states
  • Further indications, including eye diseases, see the full prescribing information

Dosing

  • Individualize according to the disease and the patient's response
  • Initial dose 25 to 300 mg a day; less severe diseases may need less than 25 mg, severe diseases more than 300 mg
  • After a favorable response, reduce in small steps to the lowest effective maintenance dose
  • During stress (e.g. surgery, infection, trauma) a temporary dose increase may be needed
  • After more than a few days of treatment, usually withdraw gradually

Contraindications

  • Systemic fungal infections
  • Hypersensitivity to this product

Important warnings

  • Immunosuppression with increased risk of infection by any pathogen; infections can be severe and fatal; latent tuberculosis may reactivate
  • Varicella and measles can be serious or fatal in non-immune patients; avoid exposure
  • Hepatitis B virus reactivation can occur; screen for hepatitis B before immunosuppressive treatment
  • Secondary adrenocortical insufficiency with too rapid withdrawal, which may persist for months
  • Live virus vaccines are contraindicated with immunosuppressive doses
  • Psychic derangements from euphoria and insomnia to severe depression and psychosis

Side effects

  • Sodium and fluid retention, potassium loss, hypertension, heart failure in susceptible patients
  • Muscle weakness, steroid myopathy, osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, aseptic necrosis, tendon rupture
  • Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage, pancreatitis
  • Impaired wound healing, thin fragile skin
  • Cushingoid state, growth suppression in children, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, menstrual irregularities
  • Convulsions, increased intracranial pressure; with prolonged use cataracts and glaucoma

Interactions

  • Live vaccines: contraindicated with immunosuppressive doses; response to inactivated vaccines may be absent
  • Aspirin: use cautiously with corticosteroids in hypoprothrombinemia

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • No adequate human studies; weigh the benefits against possible hazards to mother and fetus
  • Observe infants of mothers given substantial doses for hypoadrenalism; mothers on pharmacologic doses should not nurse

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Brand names in 3 more European countries
Italy
Cortone Acetato
Netherlands
Cortisonacetaat Teva
Norway
Cortison

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Cortisone Acetate (Chartwell RX, LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2025-06-06. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=cc158d11-f356-4696-8b73-5d2681dcbcf2
  2. Wikidata (CC0): ATC H02AB.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.