20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
<10           : Dose as in normal renal function
DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
CAPD                :Unlikely to be dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
HD                     :Unlikely to be dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
HDF/high flux   :Unlikely to be dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
CAV/VVHD      :Unlikely to be dialysed. Dose as in normal renal function
IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Antibacterials: metabolism accelerated by rifampicin; metabolism possibly inhibited by erythromycin
Anticoagulants: efficacy of coumarins may be altered
Anti-epileptics: metabolism accelerated by carbamazepine, barbiturates, phenytoin and primidone
Antifungals: increased risk of hypokalaemia with amphotericin – avoid concomitant use; metabolism possibly inhibited by itraconazole and ketoconazole
Antivirals: concentration possibly increased by ritonavir
Ciclosporin: rare reports of convulsions in patients on ciclosporin and high-dose corticosteroidsCytotoxics: increased risk of haematological toxicity with methotrexate
Diuretics: enhanced hypokalaemic effects of acetazolamide, loop diuretics and thiazide diureticsVaccines: high dose corticosteroids can impair immune response to vaccines – avoid concomitant use with live vaccines
ADMINISTRATION
Reconstition
IV injection, IM injection: add 2 mL of sterile water for injection
IV infusion
: add not more than 2 mL water for injection, then add to 100–1000 mL (not less than 100 mL) glucose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9%
Route
IV injection,
IV infusion
, IM
Rate of Administration
IV bolus: 2–3 minutes
Comments
Minimum volume 100 mg in 50 mL. (UK Critical Care Group, Minimum Infusion Volumes for fluid restricted critically ill patients, 3rd Edition, 2006)
OTHER INFORMATION
Non-plasma protein bound hydrocortisone is removed by
HD                     :One study has shown that plasma clearance rates of hydrocortisone during haemodialysis were 30–63% higher than after dialysis. No recommendations exist to indicate dosing should be altered to take account of this