Solu-Cortef
SOLU-CORTEF- hydrocortisone sodium succinate injection, powder, for solution
Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC
For Intravenous or Intramuscular Administration
DESCRIPTION
SOLU-CORTEF Sterile Powder is an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid that contains hydrocortisone sodium succinate as the active ingredient. SOLU-CORTEF Sterile Powder is available in several packages for intravenous or intramuscular administration.
100 mg Plain
Vials containing hydrocortisone sodium succinate equivalent to 100 mg hydrocortisone, 0.8 mg monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous, 8.73 mg dibasic sodium phosphate dried. SOLU-CORTEF 100 mg plain does not contain diluent (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, Preparation of Solutions).
100 mg ACT-O-VIAL | 250 mg ACT-O-VIAL | 500 mg ACT-O-VIAL | 1000 mg ACT-O-VIAL | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Each 2 mL contains (when mixed): | Each 2 mL contains (when mixed): | Each 4 mL contains (when mixed): | Each 8 mL contains (when mixed): | |
Hydrocortisone sodium succinate | equiv. to 100 mg Hydrocortisone | equiv. to 250 mg Hydrocortisone | equiv. to 500 mg Hydrocortisone | equiv. to 1000 mg Hydrocortisone |
Monobasic sodium phosphate anhydrous | 0.8 mg | 2 mg | 4 mg | 8 mg |
Dibasic sodium phosphate dried | 8.73 mg | 21.8 mg | 44 mg | 87.32 mg |
The diluent, as part of the packaging presentation for the ACT-O-VIAL® system, is comprised of Water for Injection only, and does not contain any preservative.
When necessary, the pH of each formula was adjusted with sodium hydroxide so that the pH of the reconstituted solution is within the USP specified range of 7 to 8.
The chemical name for hydrocortisone sodium succinate is pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione,21-(3-carboxy-1-oxopropoxy)-11,17-dihydroxy-, monosodium salt, (11β)- and its molecular weight is 484.52.
The structural formula is represented below:

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate is a white or nearly white, odorless, hygroscopic amorphous solid. It is very soluble in water and in alcohol, very slightly soluble in acetone, and insoluble in chloroform.
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
Glucocorticoids, naturally occurring and synthetic, are adrenocortical steroids that are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone), which also have salt-retaining properties, are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. Their synthetic analogs are primarily used for their anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.
Hydrocortisone sodium succinate has the same metabolic and anti-inflammatory actions as hydrocortisone. When given parenterally and in equimolar quantities, the two compounds are equivalent in biologic activity. The highly water-soluble sodium succinate ester of hydrocortisone permits the immediate intravenous administration of high doses of hydrocortisone in a small volume of diluent and is particularly useful where high blood levels of hydrocortisone are required rapidly. Following the intravenous injection of hydrocortisone sodium succinate, demonstrable effects are evident within one hour and persist for a variable period. Excretion of the administered dose is nearly complete within 12 hours. Thus, if constantly high blood levels are required, injections should be made every 4 to 6 hours. This preparation is also rapidly absorbed when administered intramuscularly and is excreted in a pattern similar to that observed after intravenous injection.
Glucocorticoids cause profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, they modify the body’s immune response to diverse stimuli.
Solu-Cortef Indications and Usage
When oral therapy is not feasible, and the strength, dosage form, and route of administration of the drug reasonably lend the preparation to the treatment of the condition, the intravenous or intramuscular use of SOLU-CORTEF Sterile Powder is indicated as follows:
Allergic states
Control of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment in asthma, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, drug hypersensitivity reactions, serum sickness, transfusion reactions.
Dermatologic diseases
Bullous dermatitis herpetiformis, exfoliative erythroderma, mycosis fungoides, pemphigus, severe erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
Endocrine disorders
Primary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the drug of choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy, mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance), congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypercalcemia associated with cancer, nonsuppurative thyroiditis.
Gastrointestinal diseases
To tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in regional enteritis (systemic therapy) and ulcerative colitis.
Hematologic disorders
Acquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemia, congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia (Diamond Blackfan anemia), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults (intravenous administration only; intramuscular administration is contraindicated), pure red cell aplasia, select cases of secondary thrombocytopenia.
Miscellaneous
Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement, tuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy.
Neoplastic diseases
For the palliative management of leukemias and lymphomas.
Nervous System
Cerebral edema associated with primary or metastatic brain tumor, or craniotomy.
Ophthalmic diseases
Sympathetic ophthalmia, uveitis and ocular inflammatory conditions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids.
Renal diseases
To induce diuresis or remission of proteinuria in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, or that due to lupus erythematosus.
Respiratory diseases
Berylliosis, fulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy, idiopathic eosinophilic pneumonias, symptomatic sarcoidosis.
Rheumatic disorders
As adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in acute gouty arthritis; acute rheumatic carditis; ankylosing spondylitis; psoriatic arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy). For the treatment of dermatomyositis, temporal arteritis, polymyositis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
SOLU-CORTEF Sterile Powder is contraindicated in systemic fungal infections and patients with known hypersensitivity to the product and its constituents.
Intramuscular corticosteroid preparations are contraindicated for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
SOLU-CORTEF Sterile Powder is contraindicated for intrathecal administration. Reports of severe medical events have been associated with this route of administration.
WARNINGS
Serious Neurologic Adverse Reactions with Epidural Administration
Serious neurologic events, some resulting in death, have been reported with epidural injection of corticosteroids. Specific events reported include, but are not limited to, spinal cord infarction, paraplegia, quadriplegia, cortical blindness, and stroke. These serious neurologic events have been reported with and without use of fluoroscopy. The safety and effectiveness of epidural administration of corticosteroids have not been established, and corticosteroids are not approved for this use.
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