Hydrocortisone for inhalation: dosage, how to dilute

Inhalations are an effective method to combat inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract, because with the help of special nebulizers, the medical 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?

[1], [2], [3]

Indications Hydrocortisone

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

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

Release form

Hydrocortisone exists in several forms:

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

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Pharmacodynamics

Glucocorticosteroid blocks inflammation, has anti-allergic and anti-shock effect, normalizes immunity in autoimmune diseases, reduces local hyperemia.

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

[5], [6]

Pharmacokinetics

The drug is easily absorbed by the body, because it is close to the hormone it produces. When it gets to the mucous membranes by spraying, it penetrates them into the blood, then undergoes transformations in the liver, is excreted mainly through the kidneys.

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Dosing and administration

For inhalation, you can use purchased inhalers or improvised means (pan, kettle), adapted for them. The most effective device is a nebulizer that disperses medication.

Adults are advised to dilute hydrocortisone with saline in a 2: 1 ratio if there are no other doctor's prescriptions. Correctly carry out the procedure will help the following instructions:

• you can begin inhalation after 30-60 minutes after eating;
• on the eve of abandon physical activity and be at rest;
• in case of inflammation of the nose, inhale them, exhale through the mouth, larynx and respiratory tract - on the contrary;
• the duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes;
• an hour after it is nothing;
• water temperature of steam inhalation should not exceed 70 ⁰.

To speed up the healing process, hydrocortisone is combined with other drugs. So, for inhalation it is often combined with dioxidine, which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is effective in bacterial infections of the bronchi, maxillary sinuses, lung abscesses, purulent pleurisy, and ENT pathologies. By itself, the drug is very strong, so only the doctor can determine the feasibility of using it in partnership with hydrocortisone and the dose.

When laryngitis for inhalation may be applicable hydrocortisone with adrenaline. Such treatment copes well with pathologies of viral nature, including catarrhal, atrophic, acute, chronic laryngitis. A mixture of drugs quickly relieves laryngeal edema, redness, and is also effective in bronchospasm.

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Application for children

Can I use hormone for children? In some cases, such inhalations are prescribed by pediatricians, but with a different, much lower concentration of the substance than adults. So, for children up to 2 years old, they can be used for laryngeal edema or extreme conditions of the lungs.

How to dilute hydrocortisone baby? Usually for young children, the proportion is 1 ml of medicine per 5 ml of saline, but can be changed by a 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 days - one each. If necessary, treatment with the drug is returned only after six months.

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Use Hydrocortisone during pregnancy

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

If it is necessary to apply the agent to a nursing woman, it is best to refuse lactation for this time.

Contraindications

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

Any inhalation is not carried out with elevated body temperature, nasal bleeding, cardiovascular insufficiency.

Side effects Hydrocortisone

The use of a hormonal drug can cause side effects, manifested by nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, allergy symptoms.

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Overdose

Through inhalation it is difficult to provoke an overdose, unless you control the volume and pour the medicine on the eye or continue the procedure for a long time. This can lead to inhibition of the adrenal cortex, hypoglycemia, Cushing's disease.

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Interactions with other drugs

With long-term treatment, hydrocortisone reduces the effectiveness of insulin, while barbiturates, antihistamines, and antiepileptic drugs reduce its effect. With the simultaneous use of oral contraceptives, anabolic steroids, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, paracetamol, side effects may occur.

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Storage conditions

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

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Shelf life

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

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Analogs

Inhaling, you can use the following analogs of hydrocortisone: injection solutions called Sopolkort N (Sopolcort H®), SOLU-CORTEF®, hydrocortisone-Richter, dexamethasone.

[20], [21], [22]

Reviews

People are often afraid to use hormones, especially children, however, numerous reviews suggest that inhalations with hydrocortisone significantly reduce recovery time, facilitate the course of the disease, effectively relieve asthma attacks. Short courses of hydrocortisone use and the correct proportions of the substance are not capable of causing damage to the body.

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