Drug interactions
Hydrochlorothiazide + Hydrocortisone
Severity: Moderate
Hydrochlorothiazide 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
Both drugs promote potassium loss, so combined use can cause additive hypokalemia. Hydrocortisone's mineralocorticoid activity enhances the kaliuretic effect of the thiazide. Low potassium may predispose to arrhythmias and weakness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrochlorothiazide 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.
Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to Cardiovascular; Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive renal potassium wasting from increased distal sodium delivery and mineralocorticoid receptor activation.
What to do
Check serum potassium regularly and replace potassium or add a potassium-sparing agent if levels fall.
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 Hydrochlorothiazide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrochlorothiazide with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrochlorothiazide 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. Both drugs promote potassium loss, so combined use can cause additive hypokalemia. Hydrocortisone's mineralocorticoid activity enhances the kaliuretic effect of the thiazide. Low potassium may predispose to arrhythmias and weakness.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrochlorothiazide 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: Check serum potassium regularly and replace potassium or add a potassium-sparing agent if levels fall.
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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