Who can and cannot have hydrocortisone injections

Most adults and children, including babies, can have hydrocortisone injections.

Hydrocortisone injections are not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting the medicine if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone or any other medicine
• or any of your close family have ever had depression or manic depression (bipolar disorder)
• have an infection (including an eye infection)
• are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or you're breastfeeding
• have recently been in contact with someone with chickenpox, shingles or measles
• have recently had, or you're due to have, any vaccinations

Hydrocortisone injections can make some health problems worse so it's important that your doctor monitors you.

Make sure your doctor knows if you have:

• any unhealed wounds
• high blood pressure
• an eye problem called glaucoma
• weak or fragile bones (osteoporosis)
• type 1 or type 2 diabetes

If you have diabetes and monitor your own blood sugar, you'll need to do this more often. Hydrocortisone injections can affect your blood sugar control.