allergies to IV hydrocortisone anyone?

Just wondering if anyone else has allergies to IV hydrocortisone? It's been suggested that I may be allergic to it, as I always seem to deteriorate very rapidly once in hospital. Have now been told to avoid it, and have either methylpred or dex instead. Any thoughts?

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Hi KSD,

I seem to react to the brand Efcortesol (hydrocortisone sodium phosphate) - gives me an urticarial rash, vomiting and worsening of the asthma symptoms. I'm okay with Solu-Cortef (hydrocortisone sodium succinate) so I carry a supply of it with me in case I go into hospital and they only have the other brand.

Theories are that it's either the hydrocortisone itself that I'm reacting to (others on this site have experienced that) or a preservative in it. True hydrocortisone allergy is I think pretty rare but not unheard of.

Hope this helps

Em H

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It could be a preservative in the solution as they are a few people as Emily says that do react to additives in iv solutions but it can be also the steroid.

There are no current tests for allergy to steroids but what has been done for patients in some cases is to skin prick try some of the solutions on the arm so see if they react using the liquids. Thsi si normally done in a controlled situation in hospital.

Most people who have been proven to be allergic to steorids themselves find there are one or two that they can take.

It is rare to be allergic to steroids but is becoming more documented.

I do have some links if you are interested and can turn them out if you would like to read them.