Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Pancuronium
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Pancuronium: 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 given with non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers such as pancuronium, especially in critically ill patients, have been associated with acute myopathy and prolonged weakness. Corticosteroids may also alter the duration of blockade.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Pancuronium 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; Pancuronium belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive muscle injury; the exact mechanism is not fully established.
What to do
Use the shortest possible duration of both agents in ICU patients and monitor neuromuscular function with train-of-four. Assess for persistent weakness and check creatine kinase if suspected.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydrocortisone and Pancuronium, 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 7 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 Pancuronium
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Pancuronium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Pancuronium 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 given with non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers such as pancuronium, especially in critically ill patients, have been associated with acute myopathy and prolonged weakness. Corticosteroids may also alter the duration of blockade.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Pancuronium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the shortest possible duration of both agents in ICU patients and monitor neuromuscular function with train-of-four. Assess for persistent weakness and check creatine kinase if suspected.
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.
