Drug interactions
Heparin + Hydrocortisone
Severity: Moderate
Heparin and Hydrocortisone: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Corticosteroids can have variable effects on coagulation and may increase bleeding risk via gastrointestinal ulceration and vascular fragility. With heparin this can raise the potential for hemorrhage, although the interaction is modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Heparin and Hydrocortisone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Heparin belongs to Cardiovascular; Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic: corticosteroid mucosal and vascular effects add to heparin anticoagulation; not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor aPTT or anti-Xa as appropriate for heparin and observe for bleeding, particularly GI bleeding.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Other interactions of Heparin
- Defibrotide + Heparin Contraindicated
- Heparin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Heparin + Oritavancin Contraindicated
- Acemetacin + Heparin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Heparin Major
- Alteplase + Heparin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Heparin with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Heparin and Hydrocortisone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Corticosteroids can have variable effects on coagulation and may increase bleeding risk via gastrointestinal ulceration and vascular fragility. With heparin this can raise the potential for hemorrhage, although the interaction is modest.
How serious is the interaction between Heparin and Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor aPTT or anti-Xa as appropriate for heparin and observe for bleeding, particularly GI bleeding.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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