Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone 28.35GM of 2.5%
What is Hydrocortisone?
Hydrocortisone is used to treat inflammation of the skin. Hydrocortisone is a generic drug. The average price of Hydrocortisone is about $11 for a supply of 28.35 grams, 0.5% hydrocortisone topical cream. You can use our Rx.com savings offer to get an average Hydrocortisone discount of up to 80% off of the retail price at participating pharmacies near you.Side Effects
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Blistering, peeling, or pus on the treated skin areas
- Thinning of the skin
Warnings
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, adrenal gland problems (including Cushing syndrome), diabetes, or any type of skin infection.
- This medicine may cause the following problems:Adrenal or pituitary gland problemsSerious skin reactions, which may occur if you cover the treated skin area or use the medicine for a long timeIncreased risk of eye or vision problems, including cataracts and glaucoma
- This medicine may delay growth in children. If you think your child is not growing properly while using this medicine, talk with your doctor.
- Topical application routeDo not use this medicine to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined.
Prescription savings · · · ·
What is Hydrocortisone ?
Hydrocortisone is used to treat inflammation of the skin. Hydrocortisone is a generic drug. The average price of Hydrocortisone is about $11 for a supply of 28.35 grams, 0.5% hydrocortisone topical cream. You can use our Rx.com savings offer to get an average Hydrocortisone discount of up to 80% off of the retail price at participating pharmacies near you.- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
- Blistering, peeling, or pus on the treated skin areas
- Thinning of the skin
- Confusion, headache, vision changes
- Severe skin itching, burning, redness, peeling, or pain
- Weight gain around your neck, upper back, breast, face, or waist
- Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, weight loss
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, adrenal gland problems (including Cushing syndrome), diabetes, or any type of skin infection.
- This medicine may cause the following problems:Adrenal or pituitary gland problemsSerious skin reactions, which may occur if you cover the treated skin area or use the medicine for a long timeIncreased risk of eye or vision problems, including cataracts and glaucoma
- This medicine may delay growth in children. If you think your child is not growing properly while using this medicine, talk with your doctor.
- Topical application routeDo not use this medicine to treat a skin problem your doctor has not examined.
- Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
- Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Hydrocortisone Coupons & Prices
Hydrocortisone 28.35GM of 2.5%
No Prescription Needed
Hydrocortisone is available over the counter — order online or pick up at a pharmacy near you.
Where to Buy Hydrocortisone
No prescription needed. Purchase online or in-store.
Weight-loss medication, prescribed online
Licensed U.S. providers · No insurance needed · Shipped to your door
Looking for a hydrocortisone coupon? Hydrocortisone is a widely used corticosteroid available as a low-cost generic, but the cash price can still vary a lot from one pharmacy to the next. Rx.com compares hydrocortisone prices across more than 60,000 pharmacies so you can find today's best price near you. Enter your ZIP above to see current prices and print or show your free discount at the pharmacy counter.
What is hydrocortisone and how does it work?
Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid (a glucocorticoid). It is essentially identical to cortisol, the hormone your body makes naturally in the adrenal glands, and it is short-acting. It is sold as a generic and under brand names such as Cortef and Alkindi Sprinkle, along with many over-the-counter topical brands like Cortizone-10 and Aveeno Anti-Itch.
At physiologic (replacement) doses, hydrocortisone tablets are FDA-approved to treat adrenal insufficiency, such as Addison's disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. At higher pharmacologic doses it works as an anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing medicine for a wide range of steroid-responsive conditions, including rheumatic disorders, collagen diseases such as lupus, severe allergic and skin conditions, and certain lung, blood, digestive, kidney, eye, and cancer-related disorders. An injectable form (hydrocortisone sodium succinate) is used in emergencies like acute adrenal crisis, and OTC topical hydrocortisone (0.5-1%) treats minor skin itching and inflammation.
Hydrocortisone cost and how to save without insurance
Hydrocortisone is available as a generic, which typically keeps it among the more affordable prescription medicines. Even so, cash prices are not the same everywhere, so it pays to compare before you fill. There is no manufacturer copay card for generic hydrocortisone, but a free pharmacy discount can help whether or not you have insurance.
To find the lowest price, enter your ZIP code above to see today's hydrocortisone prices at pharmacies near you. Rx.com checks over 60,000 pharmacies so you can compare and pick the best local price, then use the free discount at checkout. Prices shown are live and update over time.
Hydrocortisone vs. other corticosteroids
Hydrocortisone is one of several corticosteroids, and your provider chooses among them based on how strong and how long-lasting the effect needs to be. Because hydrocortisone is short-acting and matches natural cortisol, it is often preferred for adrenal replacement, while longer-acting steroids may be chosen for other conditions.
Related corticosteroids you may see compared with hydrocortisone include prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone. Fludrocortisone is sometimes added for adrenal insufficiency because it replaces a different adrenal hormone. If you are prescribed the brand tablet, you can also compare Cortef, the brand-name version of oral hydrocortisone. Only your prescriber can decide which steroid is right for you.
Safety and important warnings
Do not stop hydrocortisone suddenly. After regular use your body may slow its own cortisol production, and stopping abruptly can trigger a dangerous adrenal crisis. Your provider will usually taper the dose gradually. Hydrocortisone can also increase your risk of infection and mask its early signs, so live vaccines are generally avoided at immune-suppressing doses.
Longer-term or higher-dose use carries other risks, including Cushingoid changes, thinning bones (osteoporosis), higher blood sugar, high blood pressure, fluid retention and low potassium, cataracts or glaucoma, stomach ulcers, mood or psychiatric changes, and slowed growth in children. Extra caution is needed if you have an infection, diabetes, heart failure, or a digestive condition. This information is educational and not medical advice; talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your specific situation and report any concerning symptoms.
This Hydrocortisone information was written and reviewed against authoritative U.S. medical sources — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), DailyMed, and FDA prescribing information — and checked for accuracy. It is provided for education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Verify the official label: Hydrocortisone on DailyMed (FDA)
Reviewed against FDA labeling · Last reviewed July 2026
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Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.