Criticort Injection

Criticort Injection belongs to a class of medicines called corticosteroids used to treat symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching associated with allergic reactions or inflammatory processes. It is used to treat painful, swollen joints and tendons in conditions such as golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow. Also, it is used to improve different conditions such as ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the lower bowel), Crohn’s disease (inflammation of the gut), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (autoimmune disorder), severe shock due to infection or injury or failure of adrenal glands. Criticort Injection may be used for a short duration when other means do not or insufficiently help in case of severe allergic reactions, severe asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (lung disease that causes shortness of breath), or status asthmaticus (a persistent asthma attack).

Criticort Injection contains 'Hydrocortisone', which inhibits the release of certain chemical messengers in the body that cause redness, itching, and swelling. It also works as a replacement therapy for the natural steroid hormone cortisol.

Criticort Injection will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. Sometimes, Criticort Injection may cause common side effects such as acne, increased hair growth, weight gain, dizziness, nausea, muscle weakness or indigestion. Most of these side effects of Criticort Injection do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor. 

If you are allergic to Hydrocortisone or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, please inform your doctor before receiving Criticort Injection. If you have been vaccinated recently or are about to get vaccinated, inform your doctor before receiving Criticort Injection. If you have an infection, avoid receiving Criticort Injection; if you develop any new infection while on treatment with Criticort Injection, consult a doctor.

Criticort Injection contains 'Hydrocortisone', a corticosteroid that works by inhibiting the release of certain chemical messengers in the body that cause redness, itching, and swelling. Criticort Injection is used to treat painful, swollen joints and tendons in conditions such as golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow. Also, it is used to improve different conditions such as ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the lower bowel), Crohn’s disease (inflammation of the gut), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (autoimmune disorder), severe shock due to infection or injury or failure of adrenal glands. Criticort Injection may be used for a short duration when other means do not or insufficiently help in case of severe allergic reactions, severe asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema (lung disease that causes shortness of breath), or status asthmaticus (a persistent asthma attack). Also, hydrocortisone works as a hormone replacement for cortisol (a natural hormone) when your body does not make enough cortisol as the adrenal cortex does not function properly (ex: Addison's disease). Criticort Injection may be used in combination with other adrenal cortex hormones.

• Acne
• Increased hair growth
• Weight gain
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Muscle weakness
• Indigestion

If you are allergic to Hydrocortisone or other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, please inform your doctor before receiving Criticort Injection. If you have been vaccinated recently or are about to get vaccinated, inform your doctor before receiving Criticort Injection. Some people may experience mood changes (feeling depressed or high), difficulty in thinking or being confused and losing their memory, feeling anxious, sleeping problems, feeling, hearing, or seeing things that do not exist, and having strange and frightening thoughts. If you experience any of these problems, please inform your doctor immediately. If you have an infection, avoid receiving Criticort Injection, and if you develop any new infection while on treatment with Criticort Injection, consult a doctor.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform your doctor if you are taking anti-HIV drugs (ritonavir, cobicistat), anticonvulsants (phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, primidone), antituberculosis drugs (rifabutin, rifampicin), antidiabetic drugs (insulin, metformin, glibenclamide), oral contraceptives, blood thinners (warfarin), medicines used to treat glaucoma (acetazolamide), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin), an ulcer healing drug (carbenoxolone), medicines used to treat myasthenia gravis, diuretics (furosemide, bendroflumethiazide), and orally ingested chemicals used to make x-rays clearer. 

Drug-Food Interactions: Criticort Injection may interact with grapefruit juice. Please discuss this with your doctor before drinking grapefruit juice while receiving the Criticort Injection.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Avoid receiving Criticort Injection if you have a viral infection such as chickenpox, shingles, measles, or any other infection. If you have or have ever had severe depression or bipolar disorder, tuberculosis (TB), glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye), high blood pressure, fits, osteoporosis (thinning of bones), diabetes, heart failure, stomach ulcers, liver or kidney problems, inform your doctor before receiving Criticort Injection.

• RITONAVIR
• COBICISTAT
• PHENOBARBITAL
• PHENYTOIN
• CARBAMAZEPINE
• PRIMIDONE
• RIFABUTIN
• RIFAMPICIN
• INSULIN HUMAN
• METFORMIN
• GLIBENCLAMIDE
• ASPIRIN
• CARBENOXOLONE
• FUROSEMIDE
• BENDROFLUMETHIAZIDE

• Eat foods rich in quercetin (a flavonoid), such as apples, cherries, broccoli, spinach, and blueberries.
• Consuming food rich in probiotics helps in developing the immune system against allergies.
• Limit intake of food that might trigger allergies, such as dairy products, soy, eggs, and nuts.
• Avoid the consumption of foods with excess sugar, as it may flare up inflammation.
• Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and fish in your diet.
• Reducing stress and maintaining a regular sleep pattern would be helpful.
• Avoid getting in contact with harsh soaps, detergents, and rough fabrics.

Criticort Injection may increase the risk of infections, especially if taken for a long duration, as it may weaken the immune system. Therefore, it is advised to stay away from people having chickenpox, measles, or shingles as they can be severely affected while on treatment with Criticort Injection.

Inflammation: It is a response generated by damage to living tissues. This response is a defence mechanism to protect the body from injury, infection, or disease. The symptoms of inflammation include redness, pain, swelling, heat, or loss of function. Inflammation can be caused due to certain medications, acute and chronic conditions, or exposure to foreign materials or irritants your body can’t eliminate easily.