Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Metyrapone
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Metyrapone: 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
Metyrapone is used to test or treat cortisol excess by blocking cortisol synthesis. Giving hydrocortisone provides exogenous cortisol, which suppresses ACTH, confounds hormone measurements and counteracts the intended effect of metyrapone on the test.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Metyrapone 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.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Metyrapone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Exogenous glucocorticoid suppresses ACTH feedback and replaces the cortisol that metyrapone is meant to reduce.
What to do
Do not give hydrocortisone during a metyrapone test unless replacement is clinically required, and interpret results accordingly. In therapeutic use, use hydrocortisone only as planned block-and-replace to avoid adrenal insufficiency.
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 Metyrapone
- Metyrapone + Pacritinib Major
- Budesonide + Metyrapone Moderate
- Cortisone + Metyrapone Moderate
- Cyproheptadine + Metyrapone Moderate
- Deflazacort + Metyrapone Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Metyrapone Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Metyrapone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Metyrapone 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. Metyrapone is used to test or treat cortisol excess by blocking cortisol synthesis. Giving hydrocortisone provides exogenous cortisol, which suppresses ACTH, confounds hormone measurements and counteracts the intended effect of metyrapone on the test.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Metyrapone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not give hydrocortisone during a metyrapone test unless replacement is clinically required, and interpret results accordingly. In therapeutic use, use hydrocortisone only as planned block-and-replace to avoid adrenal insufficiency.
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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