Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Mestranol
Severity: Minor
Hydrocortisone and Mestranol: minor 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
Estrogens raise corticosteroid-binding globulin and reduce hydrocortisone clearance, which tends to increase hydrocortisone exposure instead of lowering it. Patients may show enhanced corticosteroid effects. Mestranol exposure is not meaningfully reduced by hydrocortisone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Mestranol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Why it happens
Estrogen increases corticosteroid-binding globulin and inhibits hydrocortisone metabolism, raising cortisol exposure.
What to do
Monitor for increased corticosteroid effects and reduce the hydrocortisone dose if they occur. Reassess when the estrogen is started or stopped.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Mestranol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Hydrocortisone and Mestranol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Estrogens raise corticosteroid-binding globulin and reduce hydrocortisone clearance, which tends to increase hydrocortisone exposure instead of lowering it. Patients may show enhanced corticosteroid effects. Mestranol exposure is not meaningfully reduced by hydrocortisone.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Mestranol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for increased corticosteroid effects and reduce the hydrocortisone dose if they occur. Reassess when the estrogen is started or stopped.
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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