2. What should I know before treatment with SOLU-CORTEF?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to hydrocortisone sodium succinate
or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have severe fungal infection, any other medical conditions,
take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before treatment with SOLU-CORTEF? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with SOLU-CORTEF and affect how it works.
4. How is SOLU-CORTEF given?
SOLU-CORTEF is given as an injection into a muscle, or slowly into a vein by a doctor
or nurse.
Your doctor will decide the dose and frequency of SOLU-CORTEF depending on your condition.
More instructions for the preparation of solutions for the plain vial (powder only)
or ACT-O-VIAL
® (powder and diluent) system can be found in Section
4. How is SOLU-CORTEF given? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know during treatment with SOLU-CORTEF?
|
Things you should do
|
If you get an infection or suspect an infection during a course of treatment, tell
your doctor as soon as possible.
Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery; you are about to be given a vaccine
or start on any new medicine; you become pregnant during treatment, you are diabetic;
or you have liver disease.
|
|
Driving or using machines
|
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how SOLU-CORTEF
affects you.
SOLU-CORTEF may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, visual disturbances, and fatigue
in some people.
|
|
Drinking grapefruit juice
|
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while you are being treated with SOLU-CORTEF.
Grapefruit may interact with SOLU-CORTEF and affect the way your body uses the medicine.
|
|
Looking after your medicine
|
Store below 25°C and protect from light. Keep in the original packaging until ready
for use.
Store reconstituted diluted solutions at 2°C - 8°C for not more 24 hours. Any solution
not used within 24 hours should be discarded.
|
6. Are there any side effects?
Side effects include nausea and vomiting, changes in appetite, weight gain caused
by fluid retention, muscle weakness or tenderness, increased sweating, excessive thirst,
changes in mood, changes in skin, excessive hairiness, tiredness or drowsiness. Serious
side effects are rare and may include sudden signs of allergy, severe stomach pain,
vomiting blood, or blood in the stools, convulsions or fits, changes in vision, eye
infections, pain and tenderness of the lower leg, ankle and foot, chest pain and breathlessness.
Long term treatment with corticosteroids can affect growth and development in children.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
hydrocortisone sodium succinate
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using SOLU-CORTEF. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using SOLU-CORTEF.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I being treated with SOLU-CORTEF?
2. What should I know before treatment with SOLU-CORTEF?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How is SOLU-CORTEF given?
5. What should I know during treatment with SOLU-CORTEF?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I being treated with SOLU-CORTEF?
SOLU-CORTEF contains the active ingredient hydrocortisone sodium succinate. It belongs
to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. SOLU-CORTEF acts by reducing inflammation (pain, swelling, redness and heat).
SOLU-CORTEF is an injection. It is used when oral treatment is not possible. Your doctor has prescribed SOLU-CORTEF for the treatment of one or more of the following:
certain glandular disorders
rheumatic disorders
skin diseases
allergic conditions
inflammation of the eyes
stomach or gut disorders
respiratory diseases
blood disorders
2. What should I know before treatment with SOLU-CORTEF?
Warnings
Do not use SOLU-CORTEF if you:
are allergic to hydrocortisone sodium succinate, or any of the ingredients listed
at the end of this leaflet. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use
this medicine.
have severe fungal infection.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging
is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Check with your doctor if you:
have or have had any other medical conditions, especially the following:
stomach or gut disorders e.g. stomach ulcers
disease of the heart e.g. high blood pressure (hypertension) or congestive heart failure
a problem with blood clots forming in your blood vessels such as painful inflammation
of the veins (thrombophlebitis) or blockage of blood vessels in the legs (deep vein
thrombosis or DVT), or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
tuberculosis
herpes simplex of the eye
chicken pox or measles
mental or mood disorders
thin or weak bones that tend to break easily (osteoporosis)
myasthenia gravis (ongoing chronic fatigue and muscle weakness)
muscle pain, tenderness or weakness from other medicines, especially those used to
treat high cholesterol or triglycerides
underactive thyroid gland
condition or tumour of the adrenal and/or pituitary glands
a solid cancer or cancer of the blood because you may be at risk of a very rare, potentially
life-threatening condition resulting from a sudden breakdown of tumour cells
kidney or liver disease
recent head injuries
fits or convulsions
ulcerative colitis (disease of the bowel)
diabetes or increased sugar in the blood
take any medicines for any other condition
have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes
If you are not sure whether you should be given this medicine, talk to your doctor.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Before you are treated with SOLU-CORTEF:
Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery.
The use of SOLU-CORTEF may disguise the signs of infections or make existing infections
worse due to a decrease in the body’s response to the infection. Talk to your doctor
if you have any concerns.
Children
Long term treatment with corticosteroids can affect growth and development in children.
Other side effects may occur when SOLU-CORTEF is given to children. Talk to your doctor
if you have any concerns about SOLU-CORTEF being given to your child.
Growth in children may be affected by treatment with SOLU-CORTEF so your doctor may
also monitor your child’s height.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with SOLU-CORTEF and affect how it works. These include:
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines used to relieve pain, swelling and other
symptoms of inflammation, including arthritis e.g. aspirin or salicylates
some antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin
medicines used to treat tuberculosis e.g. isoniazid
antifungal agents e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
medicines used to treat HIV e.g. indinavir, ritonavir
some medicines used to treat blood pressure and stroke e.g. digoxin and diltiazem
some diuretics (a medicine to help kidneys get rid of salt and water by increasing
the amount of urine (wee) produced)
medicines for nausea e.g. aprepitant, fosaprepitant
oral contraceptives
medicines used for myasthenia gravis, glaucoma
medicines for psychiatric disorders
bronchodilators (a type of medicine that opens up the airways in the lungs) used to
treat asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other lung diseases e.g. salbutamol
anticonvulsants e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone
oral medicines to reduce blood clotting e.g. warfarin
antidiabetic medicines e.g. insulin, glibenclamide and metformin
immunosuppressants e.g. methotrexate or ciclosporin (a medicine used in kidney transplant
patients)
some immunization, inoculation or vaccinations
medicine used to relieve stomach cramps or spasms, to prevent travel sickness and
to treat Parkinson’s disease (anticholinergics)
medicines used to treat breast cancer or hormone disorder
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect SOLU-CORTEF. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different
medicines.
4. How is SOLU-CORTEF given?
How much will be given
Your doctor will decide the dose and frequency of SOLU-CORTEF depending on your medical
condition.
Your doctor may change the dose and how many times a day you are given SOLU-CORTEF
as your condition changes.
You may be given a single dose, or several doses 2 to 6 hours apart.
How is SOLU-CORTEF given
You will not usually be handling this product directly. It will be given to you as
an injection by an experienced health care professional.
SOLU-CORTEF is given as an injection into a muscle, or as a slow injection into a
vein over a period of 30 seconds to 10 minutes depending on the dose required.
SOLU-CORTEF must not be injected into the spinal cord (intrathecal or epidural) or
by any other unapproved route of administration.
Instructions for the preparation of solutions for the 100 mg vial or the directions
for using the ACT-O-VIAL system are included in the package insert.
How long is SOLU-CORTEF given
Your doctor will continue giving you SOLU-CORTEF for as long as your condition requires
or before changing to another similar medicine that can be given less frequently or
taken orally.
After long-term treatment with SOLU-CORTEF, your doctor will determine how to slowly
withdraw the medicine.
SOLU-CORTEF is not addictive.
If too much SOLU-CORTEF is given
As SOLU-CORTEF is given by your doctor, it is unlikely that you will receive an overdose.
Symptoms of an overdose may include the side effects listed under Section
6. Are there any side effects? If you think that you have been given too much SOLU-CORTEF, you may need urgent medical
attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know during treatment with SOLU-CORTEF?
Things you should do
Tell any doctor or nurse giving you this medicine:
if you are about to be given a vaccine or start on any new medicine
if you become pregnant during treatment with SOLU-CORTEF
if you get an infection or suspect an infection during a course of treatment. Tell
your doctor as soon as possible as SOLU-CORTEF may hide some signs of infection
if you are diabetic. Your need for insulin or glucose lowering medicines may increase
while being treated with SOLU-CORTEF
if you have liver disease. Your doctor may need to monitor your response and/or adjust
your dose
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are being treated with
SOLU-CORTEF.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how SOLU-CORTEF
affects you.
SOLU-CORTEF may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, visual disturbances, and fatigue
in some people.
Grapefruit juice
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while you are being treated with SOLU-CORTEF.
Grapefruit may interact with SOLU-CORTEF and affect the way your body uses the medicine.
How is SOLU-CORTEF stored
SOLU-CORTEF will normally be stored in a hospital.
Keep in the original packaging until ready for use.
The undiluted product should be stored below 25°C and should be protected from light.
The diluted/reconstituted solution should be used as soon as possible and only if
it is clear. If storage is necessary, hold reconstituted diluted solutions at 2°C
- 8°C for not more than 24 hours.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard SOLU-CORTEF
SOLU-CORTEF is used in one patient on one occasion only. Any solution not used within
24 hours should be discarded.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Side effects
|
Side effects
|
What to do
|
|
weight gain as a result of fluid retention or increased appetite
muscle weakness or loss of muscle mass
increased sweating
headache, dizziness or light headedness
effects on your menstrual periods
mood changes and other mental disorders e.g. over-excitement, depression, suicidal
thoughts, hallucinations, anxiety, irritability, feeling of confusion, memory loss,
reduced perception and problem solving abilities, abnormal behaviour, addiction to
drugs or medicines
itchy skin
acne
thin fragile skin, bruising or change in skin colour, redness of the skin, stretch
marks, pale areas of the skin
excessive hairiness, particularly in women
excessive thirst, the passing of an increased amount of urine (wee), increase in appetite
with a loss of weight, feeling tired, drowsy, weak, depressed, irritable, and generally
unwell
loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, feeling of tiredness, drowsiness
or lack of energy, headache, fever, joint pain, peeling skin, aching muscle, muscle
tenderness or weakness not caused by exercise
small lumps under the skin as a result of fat deposits in the tissues
painful or tender bumps under the skin
inflammation of the food pipe. You may experience difficulty or pain when swallowing,
or heartburn problems with your growth
persistent hiccups
pain, redness at the injection site
|
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these side effects and they worry you.
Do not be alarmed by this list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
|
Serious side effects
SOLU-CORTEF may also cause chemical imbalances in the blood and urine (wee), swelling
of the pancreas (pancreatitis), bleeding in the stomach, masking of infections, increased
risk of infection, hormone changes, metabolic changes, changes in liver enzymes, increased
blood pressure, or increased number of white blood cells (leucocytosis).
Some of these side effects can only be found when your doctor does tests to check
on your progress.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/safety/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What SOLU-CORTEF contains
|
Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
|
Hydrocortisone sodium succinate
|
|
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
|
Monobasic sodium phosphate
Dibasic sodium phosphate
|
|
ACT-O-VIAL
®
only
The diluent for the ACT-O-VIAL products consists of Water for Injections. It does
not contain any antimicrobial preservative.
|
Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What SOLU-CORTEF looks like
SOLU-CORTEF powder for injection is a white, or nearly white powder in a vial.
Vials which have separate sections containing the powder and liquid to dissolve the
powder ready for injection are also available (ACT-O-VIAL system).
SOLU-CORTEF 100 mg plain vial is supplied in packs of 5 vials.
SOLU CORTEF ACT-O-VIALS 100 mg, 250 mg and 500 mg are supplied in packs of 1 vial.
Australian Registration Number
Plain vial (powder only):
100 mg: AUST R 12264
ACT-O-VIAL
®
(powder and diluent):
100 mg: AUST R 167893
250 mg: AUST R 167894
500 mg: AUST R 167895.
Who distributes SOLU-CORTEF
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney NSW
Toll Free Number: 1800 675 229
This leaflet was prepared in July 2025.