Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Norfloxacin
Severity: Major
Hydrocortisone and Norfloxacin: major 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
Fluoroquinolones can cause tendinopathy and tendon rupture, and concurrent systemic corticosteroids further increase this risk. The risk is greatest in older patients and those on prolonged steroid courses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Norfloxacin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Norfloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive tendon toxicity from fluoroquinolone and corticosteroid effects on tenocytes and collagen.
What to do
Prefer a non-quinolone antibiotic where feasible, particularly in older patients. Stop the quinolone and avoid exercise at the first sign of tendon pain.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydrocortisone and Norfloxacin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Norfloxacin
- Mycophenolic acid + Norfloxacin Moderate
- Norfloxacin + Terbinafine Minor
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Norfloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Hydrocortisone and Norfloxacin can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Fluoroquinolones can cause tendinopathy and tendon rupture, and concurrent systemic corticosteroids further increase this risk. The risk is greatest in older patients and those on prolonged steroid courses.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Norfloxacin?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer a non-quinolone antibiotic where feasible, particularly in older patients. Stop the quinolone and avoid exercise at the first sign of tendon pain.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
