Hydrocortisone for inhalation: dosage, how to dilute

Inhalations are an effective method of combating inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract, since with the help of special sprayers, the medicinal material is delivered directly to the lesions, reduces the period of their absorption and enhances the therapeutic response. Expectorants, antibiotics, antiseptics, immunomodulators, bronchodilators, oils can be used as a therapeutic agent. What do inhalations with hydrocortisone give?

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Indications hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone is an artificial analogue of the hormone produced in the human body by the adrenal glands and responsible for carbohydrate and protein metabolism. It is indicated for use in:

• bronchitis with attacks of dry cough;
• obstructive (spasmodic), accompanied by narrowing of the bronchi, wheezing in the chest, wet cough;
• laryngitis, which affects the larynx;
• laryngotracheitis, when the larynx and trachea are involved in the inflammatory process;
• sinusitis with a high degree of inflammation of the paranasal maxillary sinuses.

Release form

Hydrocortisone comes in several forms:

• ampoules with a solution or suspension for inhalation;
• tablets - orally;
• creams, ointments for external use and eyes,
• lyophilized powders from which injection solutions are prepared, complete with a solvent;
• cutaneous emulsion.

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Pharmacodynamics

The glucocorticosteroid blocks inflammatory processes, has an anti-allergic and anti-shock effect, normalizes immunity in autoimmune diseases, and reduces local hyperemia.

Inhalations with hydrocortisone help to overcome the inflammatory process, relieve spasm of the bronchial lumen, swelling, reduce the thickness of sputum and help to remove it.

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Pharmacokinetics

The drug is easily absorbed by the body, as it is close to the hormone produced by itself. Getting on the mucous membranes by spraying, it penetrates through them into the blood, then undergoes transformations in the liver, and is excreted mainly through the kidneys.

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Dosing and administration

For inhalations, you can use purchased inhalers or improvised means (a saucepan, a kettle) adapted for them. The most effective device is a nebulizer, which performs a dispersed spray of medicine.

Adults are advised to dilute hydrocortisone with saline in a 2:1 ratio, unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor. The following instructions will help you carry out the procedure correctly:

• You can start inhalation 30-60 minutes after eating;
• the day before, avoid physical activity and remain in a state of rest;
• in case of inflammation of the nose, inhale through it, exhale through the mouth, larynx and respiratory tract - vice versa;
• the procedure lasts 10-15 minutes;
• don't eat anything for an hour after it;
• The temperature of the water for steam inhalations should not exceed 70 ⁰.

To speed up the recovery process, hydrocortisone is combined with other drugs. Thus, for inhalations it is often combined with dioxidine, which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is effective against bacterial infections of the bronchi, maxillary sinuses, lung abscesses, purulent pleurisy, ENT pathologies. The drug itself is very strong, so only a doctor can determine the appropriateness of its use in partnership with hydrocortisone and the dose.

In case of laryngitis, hydrocortisone with adrenaline can be used for inhalation. Such treatment copes well with pathologies of viral nature, including catarrhal, atrophic, acute, chronic laryngitis. The mixture of drugs quickly relieves swelling of the larynx, redness, and is also effective in case of bronchospasm.

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Application for children

Can the hormone be used for children? Such inhalations are prescribed by pediatricians in some cases, but with a different, much lower concentration of the substance than for adults. Thus, they can be used for children under 2 years of age with laryngeal edema or extreme lung conditions.

How to dilute hydrocortisone for a child? Usually for small children the proportion is 1 ml of medicine per 5 ml of saline, but can be changed by the doctor depending on the individual characteristics of the child, his age. On average, it is 1:2 respectively. The duration of inhalation is 5-10 minutes, the maximum number of days of treatment is 5.

The first 3 days the procedure is carried out twice a day, the next two - once a day. If necessary, return to treatment with the drug only after six months.

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Use hydrocortisone during pregnancy

Systematic and long-term use of the drug can harm the fetus, stop its development, provoke a miscarriage, because the substance penetrates the placenta. Small doses of hydrocortisone in a short period are possible if the therapeutic effect exceeds the possible risks.

If it becomes necessary for a nursing woman to use the product, it is best to abstain from lactation for this period.

Contraindications

Hydrocortisone is contraindicated in diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, active forms of tuberculosis, ulcers of the digestive organs, hypersensitivity to the drug, psychosis, nephritis.

Any inhalation is not performed with elevated body temperature, tendency to nosebleeds, or cardiovascular insufficiency.

Side effects hydrocortisone

The use of hormonal drugs can cause side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, and allergy symptoms.

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Overdose

It is difficult to provoke an overdose by inhalation unless the volume is controlled and the medicine is poured onto the eye or the procedures are continued for a long time. This can lead to adrenal cortex suppression, hypoglycemia, and Cushing's disease.

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Interactions with other drugs

Hydrocortisone during long-term treatment reduces the effectiveness of insulin, and barbiturates, antihistamines, antiepileptics reduce its effect. Side effects may occur with the simultaneous use of oral contraceptives, anabolic steroids, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol.

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Storage conditions

The drug is stored out of reach of children, at a temperature not exceeding 25 ⁰ C, ampoules are not subject to freezing.

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Shelf life

The shelf life is 3 years, after which the product is not used but disposed of.

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Analogues

The following hydrocortisone analogues can be used for inhalation: injection solutions called Sopolcort H®, SOLU-CORTEF®, hydrocortisone-Richter, dexamethasone.

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Reviews

People are often afraid to use hormonal drugs, especially for children, however, numerous reviews indicate that inhalations with hydrocortisone significantly reduce the recovery time, ease the course of the disease, and effectively relieve asthma attacks. Short courses of hydrocortisone and the correct proportions of the substance are not capable of causing harm to the body.

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