A hospital clinic requests 2 lb of 2% Hydrocortisone ointment. How many grams of 5% Hydrocortisone ointment could be diluted with White Petrolatum to prepare this order?
a- 18.2gb- 27.5g
c- 45.4g
d- 363g***
e- 545g.
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Hydrocortisone:
Generic Name: Hydrocortisone
Trade names: Ala-Cort ®, Hydrocortone Phosphate, Solu-Cortef ®, Hydrocort Acetate ®, Lanacort ®
Other names: Cortisone, Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate, Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate
Type of drug:
Hydrocortisone has many uses for cancer treatment. It is most often used as a support medicine. Hydrocortisone is classified as glucocorticosteroid. (For more details, see the section "How hydrocortisone works" below).What hydrocortisone is used for:
- As an anti-inflammatory medicine. Hydrocortisone relieves inflammation in various parts of the body.- Also to treat or prevent allergic reactions.
- As treatment of certain types of autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, asthma and other lung conditions.
- As a treatment for different cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
- To treat nausea and vomiting associated with some chemotherapy drugs.
- It is used to stimulate appetite in cancer patients with serious problems of this type.
- The lotion (topical) is combined in the treatment of allergic skin reactions, and relieves symptoms of itching, redness and inflammation.
- It is also used as a steroid replacement in conditions with adrenal insufficiency (decrease in the necessary production of steroids from the adrenal glands).
Note:
If a drug has been approved for one use, doctors may decide to use this same drug to treat other problems, if they believe it might be useful.How hydrocortisone is given:
- It can be administered in various ways. In tablet form, it is available in tablets of 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg. If you receive daily doses of hydrocortisone and forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. You may be instructed to repeat the missed dose and continue with the medication.- Take the tablets with or after meals.
- A healthcare provider can administer hydrocortisone by injection into a muscle (intramuscular, IM) or into a vein (intravenous, IV).
- Hydrocortisone ointments or eye drops are given to treat or prevent many inflammatory eye conditions.
- You may be given hydrocortisone in the form of lotion or cream (topical) to treat skin conditions.
- The amount of hydrocortisone you should take depends on many factors, including your height and weight, the general state of your health and your other health problems, as well as the reason you receive this drug. Your doctor will determine the dose and timing of drug administration.
Side effects of hydrocortisone:
Important factors to remember about the side effects of hydrocortisone:- Most people do not experience all the side effects mentioned.
- The side effects of hydrocortisone are usually predictable in terms of their appearance and duration.
- They are almost always reversible and will disappear when the treatment ends.
- There are many options to help minimize or prevent side effects.
The following side effects are common (that is, they have an incidence greater than 30%) in patients receiving hydrocortisone:
- Increased appetite.- Irritability.
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
- Swelling of the ankles and feet (fluid retention).
- Nausea (take it with meals).
- Heartburn.
- Reduction of wound healing.
- Increased blood sugar concentration (people with diabetes may receive more rigorous blood sugar levels and adjustments in diabetes medications).
The following are the less frequent side effects (with an incidence> 29%) for patients receiving hydrocortisone:
- Headaches (headaches).- Dizziness
- Alterations in mood.
- Cataracts and bone tissue reduction (with long-term use).
This list includes more common and less frequent side effects of hydrocortisone. The most infrequent side effects (with an incidence less than 10% of patients) are not mentioned here. However, be sure to inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
When to contact your doctor or health care provider:
Contact your healthcare provider immediately, day or night, if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.5 F (38 ºC), chills (possible signs of infection).
- If you experience irregularities or an increased heart rate, breathlessness or chest or jaw pain, seek emergency help and inform your health care provider.
- If you suddenly feel confused.
The symptoms listed below require medical attention, but are not an emergency. Contact your health care provider within 24 hours if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Extreme fatigue (inability to perform personal care activities).
- Unusual bleeding or bruising.
- Black or tarry stools, or presence of blood in the stool or urine.
- Nausea (if they interfere with the ability to eat and do not stop with prescription medications).
- Vomiting (more than 4 or 5 times in a 24-hour period).
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, feeling faint.
- Persistent headache.
- Severe suffocations or mood alterations.
- Inability to sleep (insomnia).
- Severe skeletal (bone) pain.
- Difficulty or pain when urinating; increased urination or thirst.
- Alterations in vision, blurred vision, eye pain, dilation of the pupils, secretion.
- New skin rashes or skin disorders.
- Swelling of the feet or ankles. Weight gain suddenly (more than 3 pounds per week).
- Swelling, redness and pain in one leg or one arm and not both.
Be sure to inform your healthcare provider if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Precautions to have the account while using hydrocortisone:
- Before starting hydrocortisone treatment, be sure to inform your doctor about the other medications you take (including prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.). Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin unless your doctor specifically allows it.
- Do not apply any type of immunization or vaccines without your doctor's approval while receiving hydrocortisone.
- If you take hydrocortisone tablets daily, for a prolonged period of time, serious side effects may occur if you discontinue the medication abruptly. Do not stop taking hydrocortisone unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Do not change the dose of hydrocortisone without checking with your doctor.
- Tell your healthcare professional if you are or may be pregnant before starting treatment. Hydrocortisone is a drug classified in category C (its use during pregnancy is recommended only if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the fetus).
- For both men and women: Do not try to get pregnant during treatment with hydrocortisone. Barrier contraception methods, such as condoms, are recommended. Consult your doctor when you can conceive without risks for the baby after treatment.
- Do not breastfeed while receiving hydrocortisone.
Practical advice on personal care during treatment with hydrocortisone:
- If you take hydrocortisone for a prolonged period of time, you may be more susceptible to infections. Wash your hands well and report the appearance of infection symptoms to your healthcare provider.
- If you are given ophthalmic drops or ophthalmic ointments: You may be more sensitive to light. Wearing sunglasses can help. It is normal to have a slightly blurred vision for a short time after putting the drops or ointment on the eyes. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience vision changes, blurred vision or eye pain.
- If you are given ophthalmic drops or ophthalmic ointments: Ask your healthcare provider if you can wear contact lenses. Contact lenses can absorb hydrocortisone. Wash your hands before putting on eye drops, in order to reduce the possibility of a bacterial infection in the eyes.
- If you are given hydrocortisone in the form of a lotion (topical) to treat skin conditions: Do not place them in open areas of the skin, or in open or suppurating ulcers. Topical hydrocortisone should not be used for a long time. Check this topic with your health care provider.
- Certain brands of hydrocortisone can be used in the rectal area to treat hemorrhoids or local inflammation, either as a suppository or ointment. Make sure that the preparation you use has been specifically formulated for the rectal area.
- In tablet form: Take hydrocortisone with meals to decrease stomach upset. Also, take it early in the morning (before 12:00 p.m., if possible), so you can sleep better at night.
- If you have diabetes, hydrocortisone may increase blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, tell your healthcare provider. It may be necessary to perform rigorous checks. Drink 2 to 3 quarts (8 to 12 glasses) of liquid daily, unless instructed to limit fluid intake, and maintain a good diet.
- To reduce nausea, take antiemetic medications according to your doctor's instructions and eat small portions of food frequently.
- In general, alcoholic beverages should be avoided. You should also limit your intake of caffeine (especially cola, tea, coffee and chocolate). These drinks can irritate the stomach.
- If you experience symptoms or side effects, especially if they are severe, be sure to discuss them with members of your health care team. They can prescribe medications and / or offer other tips that are effective in controlling these types of problems.
Controls and tests during treatment with hydrocortisone:
Your doctor will perform regular checks during the administration of hydrocortisone, to monitor side effects and check your response to treatment. Your doctor will periodically order complete blood counts (CBC) to monitor your blood cell count, and also monitor the functioning of other organs (such as the kidneys and liver).
How hydrocortisone works:
- The adrenal gland of the body naturally produces corticosteroids. Corticosteroids influence the functioning of most body systems (cardiac, immune, muscular and bone, endocrine and nervous). They cause a wide variety of effects, including on the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. They help preserve the balance of fluids and electrolytes.
- Hydrocortisone is classified as a corticosteroid (more precisely a glucocorticosteroid), and has many uses in the treatment of cancer.
- One of its functions is to reduce inflammation (swelling). This is done by preventing the leukocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) that prevent infections from displacing the area of inflammation in the body (this is the reason why it is more prone to infections during the use of corticosteroids). Also taking advantage of the anti-inflammatory properties of hydrocortisone, corticosteroids are used to decrease the swelling surrounding tumors. For example, by decreasing inflammation in tumors in the spine, brain or bones, you can reduce the pressure of the tumor on nerve endings and relieve pain or other symptoms caused by the pressure of the tumor.
- Another function of this drug is to alter the normal responses of the immune system. Corticosteroids are used to treat certain diseases that affect the immune system, such as aplastic anemia (AA), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (PTT) or hemolytic anemia.
- In addition, it is believed that corticosteroids may be useful in the treatment of patients with blood disorders, such as multiple myeloma. Corticosteroids can act by causing programmed cell destruction (apoptosis) of certain cells, which can help fight the disease.
- Corticosteroids are also used for short-term treatment of nausea caused by chemotherapy. The mechanism of action is not fully known. They have also been used to stimulate appetite in patients with severe appetite problems.
- Corticosteroids are used as steroid replacement in conditions with adrenal insufficiency (decrease in the necessary production of steroids from the adrenal glands).
- Note: We insist on recommending that you talk with your health care professional about your specific illness and treatments. The information included in this website is intended to be useful and instructive, and in no case should it be considered a substitute for medical advice.
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