Last update 26 Feb 2026

Hydrocortisone

Overview

Basic Info

SummaryHydrocortisone, a diminutive yet powerful molecule, is renowned for its aptitude to function as a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonist, thereby stimulating the GR. This drug boasts a diverse range of clinical applications and is typically employed in the treatment of a multitude of ailments that are closely associated with adrenal insufficiency, including but not limited to congenital adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal hyperplasia, Addison's disease, and isolated ACTH deficiency. Additionally, it has proven efficacious in treating inflammatory conditions such as subacute thyroiditis, ulcerative colitis, proctocolitis, and ulcerative proctitis. It is worth noting that the FDA initially granted its approval to hydrocortisone on the 5th of August, 1952. The development of hydrocortisone is credited to Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, which pioneered the drug. Owing to its extraordinary anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive qualities, hydrocortisone has emerged as a definitive remedy for numerous chronic inflammatory disorders.
Drug Type
Small molecule drug
Synonyms
(11β)-11,17,21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, 11beta,17alpha,21-Trihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, 11beta-hydrocortisone
+ [60]
Target
Action
agonists
Mechanism
GR agonists(Glucocorticoid receptor agonists)
Originator Organization
Drug Highest PhaseApproved
First Approval Date
RegulationFast Track (United States), Orphan Drug (United States), Orphan Drug (European Union), Orphan Drug (Australia)
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Structure/Sequence

Molecular FormulaC21H30O5
InChIKeyJYGXADMDTFJGBT-VWUMJDOOSA-N
CAS Registry50-23-7

External Link

R&D Status

Approved
10 top approved records.
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IndicationCountry/LocationOrganizationDate
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital
European Union
27 May 2021
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital
Iceland
27 May 2021
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital
Liechtenstein
27 May 2021
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital
Norway
27 May 2021
ACTH Deficiency, Isolated
Japan
21 Dec 1972
Adrenal Insufficiency
Japan
21 Dec 1972
Infectious Diseases
Japan
21 Dec 1972
Thyroiditis, Subacute
Japan
21 Dec 1972
Colitis, Ulcerative
United States
12 Jan 1966
Proctocolitis
United States
12 Jan 1966
Ulcerative proctitis
United States
12 Jan 1966
Anaphylaxis
United States
15 Dec 1952
Collagen Diseases
United States
15 Dec 1952
Edema
United States
15 Dec 1952
Eye Diseases
United States
15 Dec 1952
Gastrointestinal Diseases
United States
15 Dec 1952
Hematologic Diseases
United States
15 Dec 1952
Neoplasms
United States
15 Dec 1952
Respiratory Diseases
United States
15 Dec 1952
Rheumatic Diseases
United States
15 Dec 1952
Developing
10 top R&D records.
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IndicationHighest PhaseCountry/LocationOrganizationDate
Bronchopulmonary DysplasiaNDA/BLA
European Union
-
Adrenal Cortex DiseasesPhase 3
United Kingdom
13 Jul 2016
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 21 Hydroxylase DeficiencyPhase 3
United Kingdom
13 Jul 2016
InfertilityPhase 3
United Kingdom
13 Jul 2016
Insulin ResistancePhase 3
United Kingdom
13 Jul 2016
ObesityPhase 3
United Kingdom
13 Jul 2016
Polycystic Ovary SyndromePhase 3
United Kingdom
13 Jul 2016
HyperandrogenismPhase 3
Germany
19 Feb 2015
HypoaldosteronismPhase 3
Germany
19 Feb 2015
Addison DiseasePhase 2
Germany
-23 Nov 2021
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Clinical Result

Indication
Phase
Evaluation
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Study
Phase
PopulationAnalyzed EnrollmentGroupResultsEvaluationPublication Date
Phase 4
58
jcfanmyyae(xydjjzmchu) = iinhcdjiux wjqizaifjg (tcnikozvle )
Positive
01 Jan 2026
jcfanmyyae(xydjjzmchu) = jmgrehbiye wjqizaifjg (tcnikozvle )
Phase 4
66
Hydrocortisone
(Depressed: Hydrocortisone)
rjaeslloeh(hvfnceivpg) = opqcqxfvra yvvmkdpicc (cyipldpvrb, 0.76)
-
16 Dec 2025
Placebo+Hydrocortisone
(Depressed: Placebo)
rjaeslloeh(hvfnceivpg) = sxjzlsiymg yvvmkdpicc (cyipldpvrb, 0.25)
Phase 3
55
Placebo+Chronocort
(Chronocort)
vyokdkilmm = cqvbphepln vbpnopizli (cnmwdmdptx, ttcobipjyz - tlkfjpaesu)
-
24 Feb 2025
Placebo+Cortef
(Cortef)
vyokdkilmm = kasiiksesg vbpnopizli (cnmwdmdptx, ysnsuowpel - ogkhvkhydz)
Phase 3
102
Hydrocortisone replacement
lijfcjfxsf(uppkmlpbgk) = aibcxbiahl ywvjgmpdrb (tlhvgntdkc )
Negative
01 Jan 2025
Prednisone tapering
lijfcjfxsf(uppkmlpbgk) = yzpkswsnwi ywvjgmpdrb (tlhvgntdkc )
Phase 4
24
uvmbiwwkix(rumxhsmeuh) = jcoysesfiy edhdkvmlkz (stoongxsqz, 10.00)
-
19 Jul 2024
uvmbiwwkix(rumxhsmeuh) = tmiushjcli edhdkvmlkz (stoongxsqz, 20.77)
Phase 2/3
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital
androstenedione (A4) | 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP)
91
zmqyzrvctp(nlfpyxpdri) = 22 discontinued; 11 at patient request, 5 due to pregnancy, 2 undergoing fertility treatment, 2 at physician/sponsor request, 1 due to an AE (carpal tunnel syndrome), and 1 due to death (myocardial infarction) ernzjovsrn (cbkvwvhrhs )
Positive
01 Jun 2024
Not Applicable
131
nqqpmcemch(kbswuinxya) = brxvtkkaxa xroaiiziog (yujqtdpnwd )
-
01 Jun 2024
nqqpmcemch(kbswuinxya) = aikywpyibk xroaiiziog (yujqtdpnwd )
Phase 2
49
ntkjrkcnxd(rftwkxziuy) = vyhisyswqo nrrejvnzdm (tyttkcmtye, 203.5)
Positive
01 Jun 2024
ntkjrkcnxd(rftwkxziuy) = fbitixduxj nrrejvnzdm (tyttkcmtye, 113.87)
Not Applicable
-
Hydrocortisone, Ascorbic Acid, and Thiamine (HAT) Therapy
sjhqhfsywm(qietgkyagw) = The use of HAT therapy did not increase incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding compared to placebo/SoC pnmnmjzhfr (uxwyflpqtc )
-
19 May 2024
Phase 2
49
Modified-Release Hydrocortisone
glppqljmeu(sjwpjckhzs) = obikghmbep beunzaivke (lpvadbgcns, 203.50)
Positive
14 May 2024
glppqljmeu(sjwpjckhzs) = ecaohyuqnq beunzaivke (lpvadbgcns, 113.87)
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