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Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate: A Closer Look at Its Role in Modern Medicine

Historical Development

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate traces its origins back to the early days of corticosteroid research. In the 1950s, researchers explored ways to modify hydrocortisone, a natural hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, to produce faster and more reliable results. By attaching a succinate ester and introducing a sodium salt, chemists made the molecule water-soluble, leading to better absorption and rapid onset when administered by injection. Medical teams during those decades faced challenges treating severe allergic reactions, shock, and adrenal insufficiency, so finding a stable, injectable form of hydrocortisone represented a life-saving advance. Over generations, the compound's accessibility and quick action changed how emergency rooms, ambulance crews, and critical care teams handled sudden corticosteroid needs. Practices evolved, but the backbone of treatment still values that reliability.

Product Overview

Pharmaceutical companies market hydrocortisone sodium succinate as a sterile, lyophilized powder in single-use vials. This formulation, favored for its water solubility, stands apart from the parent hydrocortisone acetate, which doesn’t dissolve so easily. Well-known trade names include Solu-Cortef and Hydrocort. The primary audience includes hospitals and clinics that require immediate corticosteroid therapy. The product reaches clinicians treating acute adrenal crises, major allergic reactions, and inflammatory conditions. The prevalence of hydrocortisone sodium succinate in emergency crash carts, intensive care units, and operating rooms speaks to its indispensable value for systemic corticosteroid needs, particularly when oral therapy offers no feasible option. Rapid reconstitution with sterile water before injection brings the drug from powder to liquid within moments, ready for intravenous or intramuscular administration.

Physical & Chemical Properties

As a white to off-white crystalline powder, hydrocortisone sodium succinate dissolves easily in water, creating a clear colorless solution suited to injection. Its molecular formula, C25H33NaO8, and molecular weight, around 484.52 g/mol, reflect the addition of a sodium succinate group to the basic hydrocortisone core. Chemically, it derives from the 21-hydroxyl group of hydrocortisone, esterified with succinic acid disodium salt. Physically, the lyophilized powder remains stable under typical storage conditions, although vials stored above recommended temperatures tend to degrade faster. The chemical modifications that boost solubility also facilitate rapid systemic availability after injection. Over the years, studies have characterized the pH of reconstituted solutions (often between 7 and 8) and confirmed that freshly made solutions must get used within hours to prevent microbial growth and hydrolysis.

Technical Specifications & Labeling

Each commercial vial of hydrocortisone sodium succinate contains a precise amount of active ingredient, designated as hydrocortisone sodium succinate equivalent to a specific dose of hydrocortisone (usually marked in milligrams). Labels display the manufacturing lot number, expiration date, and clear reconstitution instructions—generally directing the user to mix with a measured volume of sterile water to achieve a standard concentration. Packaging includes safety seals and color-coded labels to minimize medication errors during emergencies. Injections delivered intravenously or intramuscularly come with reminders for single-use only, and companies insert detailed safety guides covering risks, contraindications, and storage recommendations. From practice, one quickly learns to pay meticulous attention to these technical details since dosing errors with corticosteroids can cause serious consequences for vulnerable patients. The labeling also covers buffers, preservatives, and excipients, since even trace ingredients may matter for those with sensitive immune systems.

Preparation Method

The process begins with hydrocortisone isolation from either plant sources or synthetic precursors. Successive chemical reactions transform the parent molecule to produce hydrocortisone hemisuccinate, which then gets converted to the sodium salt using sodium hydroxide. Careful control over reaction temperatures, pH, and solvent conditions ensures the selective production of the water-soluble salt. Purification by crystallization removes unwanted byproducts, and the refined substance undergoes sterile lyophilization. Production lines validate each batch for purity, sterility, and absence of pyrogens, knowing well that intravenous medications reach patients’ bloodstream within minutes. Teams package the finished vials under aseptic conditions, aware that any lapse in sterility could lead to severe patient infections or product recalls. Having watched manufacturing in action, it’s clear that even a hint of contamination can bring regulatory investigations and force entire shifts to repeat painstaking steps.

Chemical Reactions & Modifications

At its core, hydrocortisone sodium succinate forms when the 21-hydroxyl group of hydrocortisone reacts with succinic anhydride, generating a hemisuccinate ester. A neutralization step, involving sodium hydroxide, creates the sodium salt, boosting water solubility. Chemists tweak reaction parameters to minimize unwanted hydrolysis and achieve high yields. The modification confers a distinct pharmacokinetic profile: injected hydrocortisone sodium succinate converts rapidly back to active hydrocortisone in the body. Research efforts have continued, producing derivatives aimed at tailoring the duration of action or reducing side effects, but this sodium succinate variant maintains its advantage for fast onset. Experience suggests the compound’s status comes both from that chemistry and from the practicalities of formulation—options like using phosphate or acetate esters exist, but none match the balance of solubility and speed needed in acute care.

Synonyms & Product Names

Different reference books and health agencies refer to hydrocortisone sodium succinate under several names. Some call it hydrocortisone 21-hemisuccinate sodium salt; others stick to terms like Solu-Cortef, HC sodium succinate, or Hydrocortisonum natricum succinicum. On pharmacy shelves, trade names differ by country and manufacturer, so it pays to read box labels with attention—especially for those practicing medicine in multicultural clinics or across international boundaries. Pharmacists and prescribers rely on these synonyms when cross-checking inventories, writing orders, and studying interactions. I've seen patients mis-dosed in cross-border care transfers since a hospital received vials with unfamiliar branding, even though the drug inside stayed identical. Communication and awareness about these naming variations play a crucial role in patient safety and treatment accuracy.

Safety & Operational Standards

Handling hydrocortisone sodium succinate calls for strict attention to infection control, sharp-object safety, and error prevention. Pharmacists, nurses, and doctors undergo regular training in the proper mixing, labeling, and administration protocols for this medication. Not all facilities have the same equipment, which makes sticking to standard safety checklists essential. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and national guidelines spell out protocols for temperature-controlled storage, sterile technique during vial reconstitution, and secure disposal of sharps. The risks associated with corticosteroid overdose—such as immunosuppression, hyperglycemia, and psychosis—demand multiple layers of drug-checking prior to administration. All staff share a responsibility to double-check doses, confirm patient identity, and document every use. In my work, I’ve seen little mistakes turn disastrous, so I value how institutional procedures, pharmacist oversight, and barcode scanning technology prevent rare but serious mishaps.

Application Area

Doctors lean on hydrocortisone sodium succinate to manage acute adrenal insufficiency, severe allergic reactions, and life-threatening inflammatory conditions. In trauma bays and ambulances, it’s the steroid of choice for anaphylaxis and shock when epinephrine alone proves inadequate. Pediatricians reach for it during congenital adrenal hyperplasia crises, while oncologists and pulmonologists use it for serious asthma or autoimmune flares. Beyond emergency settings, critical care specialists administer it during sepsis, brain swelling, or after pituitary surgery. For decades, guidelines from endocrine and critical care societies have listed it as a cornerstone drug—familiar territory across generations of patient care. Unlike slow-acting pills or less soluble shots, this formulation delivers steady, immediate corticosteroid impact. The daily grind of emergency medicine teaches you that having the right vial on hand saves lives when stress hormones vanish due to illness or injury.

Research & Development

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate continues to feature in clinical trials that compare dosing strategies and explore alternative delivery methods. Researchers want to know if smaller, targeted doses can reduce complications—especially infections and blood sugar spikes. Some trials test new buffers and stabilizers to increase the shelf life of opened vials or leftovers from multi-dose packages, knowing medical waste reduction can bring huge savings in busy hospitals. The most groundbreaking research involves compatibility studies—can hydrocortisone sodium succinate mix safely with other critical drugs in IV lines? Developing nations work hard to refine the synthesis and packaging so costs stay manageable for public clinics. Translational research bridges the lab bench and the bedside, trying to match molecular tweaks with better patient benefits. Every hospital’s experience with using hydrocortisone sodium succinate in unique emergencies adds to this pool of ongoing learning.

Toxicity Research

The safety of hydrocortisone sodium succinate comes from decades of clinical observation and targeted toxicity studies. In animals and healthy volunteers, researchers have mapped out the dose-dependent risks of gastrointestinal bleeding, blood pressure elevation, and immune system suppression. Long-term toxicity studies, primarily in animals, mapped how repeated high doses contribute to Cushingoid features, thin skin, and abnormal fat distribution. Short-term studies focus on the hazards of rapid infusion—cases of cardiac arrhythmias or electrolyte imbalances led clinicians to refine administration practices, encouraging slow injections or diluted infusions. In my experience, most harm comes from misunderstandings around chronic corticosteroid use, rather than single-dose emergencies. Pharmacovigilance programs track side effects and overdose clusters, using electronic health records to flag rare but real dangers. The literature consistently encourages clinicians to balance benefit and risk, avoiding corticosteroids when safer alternatives exist and monitoring closely after administration.

Future Prospects

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate’s future ties closely to changing medical technology and shifting healthcare demands. As more care moves to outpatient, home-based, or rural settings, compact and easier-to-use injectable systems could widen access to life-saving therapy. Researchers look at needle-free injectors and pre-filled syringes that reduce contamination risks and streamline emergencies. The trend toward personalized medicine might push companies to develop different salt forms or delivery options tailored to metabolic differences and comorbidities. Biotech startups track adverse reaction data to find safer corticosteroid alternatives, yet hydrocortisone sodium succinate maintains a firm grip due to its proven reliability in acute care. Global health programs prioritize affordable manufacturing and stable distribution to meet demands in regions at risk for adrenal crisis due to infectious or inherited diseases. New delivery forms, expanded research on drug compatibility, and rigorous safety surveillance aim to stretch the utility of this corticosteroid well into the next generation of healthcare delivery.




What are the main uses of Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate?

A Lifeline in Emergency Medicine

People who have ever watched someone struggle with a severe asthma attack or an allergic reaction know how terrifying those moments can be. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate shows its value most clearly in emergency settings. Doctors reach for this medicine when a fast, reliable anti-inflammatory punch is needed. It works by calming the immune system and bringing down swelling that could choke off airways or put vital organs at risk. Folks with a history of severe allergies sometimes carry information about corticosteroids for exactly this reason, knowing a dose could mean the difference between life and death.

Taming Dangerous Swelling in the Hospital

Hospital teams regularly use hydrocortisone sodium succinate to control dangerous swelling in situations that come out of nowhere. Say someone comes in with a head injury that threatens to put pressure on the brain, or a kid develops croup so fast that breathing becomes a struggle. In these cases, speed matters. Injected corticosteroids like hydrocortisone sodium succinate act quickly, buying doctors precious time to fix whatever problem caused the swelling in the first place.

Managing Chronic Autoimmune Flares

Some people live every day with diseases that make the immune system turn on the body. Conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis often lead to sudden painful flares. Short courses of hydrocortisone sodium succinate can quiet things down when symptoms get out of control. Because it works fast, it helps patients avoid damage that would set their recovery back or leave lasting scars. I have seen loved ones with autoimmune flare-ups walk out of the hospital looking stronger and more alert after a round of this treatment.

Replacing Missing Hormones in Adrenal Crisis

Few conditions leave patients as vulnerable as Addison’s disease. When the adrenal glands stop making cortisol, the body loses its grip on things like blood pressure and energy. If a person with adrenal insufficiency starts vomiting and can’t take their daily pills, they could end up in an adrenal crisis. Here, hydrocortisone sodium succinate is not just helpful—it’s lifesaving. An intravenous dose stabilizes blood pressure, gets salt and water levels back in balance, and gives the body a chance to recover from the shock.

Tough Choices: Risks, Safety, and Alternatives

Like many powerful drugs, hydrocortisone sodium succinate needs careful handling. Doctors keep doses as low as possible and limit repeats. Side effects stack up when steroids are used over long stretches—bone thinning, weight gain, high blood sugar. Health teams help patients weigh the risks and push for safer long-term options, whether that means switching to gentler medicines or focusing on non-drug solutions like physical therapy and counseling.

Moving Forward with Education and Support

Nothing replaces informed teamwork between a patient and their care providers. I once saw a friend get through a severe asthma attack only because her family understood how and when to use emergency steroids. Patients and families who know what hydrocortisone sodium succinate does, and why, can spot problems early and prevent the worst outcomes. Hospitals, clinics, and even sports trainers keep this drug within reach for situations that spiral out of control, saving lives and restoring hope.

What is the recommended dosage for Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate?

Why Dose Matters in Real Life

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate isn’t one of those medications you take and forget about. Doctors rely on it in emergencies—like when someone goes into shock or their adrenal glands crash. The dose a person gets can make all the difference between getting better fast, or heading in the wrong direction. I’ve watched this play out in an emergency room, a place where timing and the amount given shape outcomes minute by minute.

Recommended Dosage Ranges

Dosing isn’t guesswork. For adults facing adrenal crisis or severe allergic reactions, doctors often start with anything from 100 mg up to 500 mg through a shot into the vein or muscle. Depending on how sick the patient looks, the doctor can repeat this every 2-6 hours. If the crisis is under control, the doctor will usually tip the dose down. For everyday flare-ups tied to adrenal insufficiency or stress, 100 mg can do the trick as a single hit, then tapering off as symptoms improve.

For kids, it gets personal fast. Their dose gets trimmed down by weight—about 1-2 mg for every kilogram, repeated as needed. The point isn’t just to solve that day’s problem, but to dodge possible side effects down the road. Children’s bodies handle medicine differently, and mistakes in dosage can have lasting effects.

Why Dosing Isn’t a One-Size-Fits-All Deal

Life in clinical medicine has taught me that missing details can lead to real trouble. Factors like infection, surgery, or trauma change what a patient needs. Someone with a long-term illness or a liver problem might process hydrocortisone slower, so the doctor adjusts the plan. Pregnant women need a sharp eye on dosing too, since hormones can redraw the map inside their bodies.

Diverse situations demand thoughtful decisions. A person in septic shock often needs more than someone with a simple flare-up of arthritis. The trick is paying attention and making changes in real time. Hydrocortisone isn’t harmless—a high dose can jack up blood sugar, weaken bones, and set off mood swings. That’s not to mention the increased risk for infections with repeated high doses.

Facts and Solutions

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate holds a spot on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines for a reason. In places with good resources, dosing guidelines come from years of careful studies and real-world experience. The Society of Critical Care Medicine, for example, lays out plans specific to conditions like adrenal crisis and septic shock. Having these protocols posted and easy to read in hospitals helps prevent mistakes when things get chaotic.

But not every doctor works with a full team or in a big hospital. Some health centers struggle with resources. Easy-to-understand dosing charts or digital reference apps offer practical help in these settings. In my experience, simple checklists or laminated cards at the bedside lower risky mistakes. Training sessions, especially for newer nurses and doctors, cut down confusion and boost confidence during emergencies.

The risk of getting the dosage wrong sits side by side with the fear of acting too late. I’ve found that encouraging patients and their families to keep a wallet card that lists their dose and diagnosis saves precious time during emergencies, especially for folks with Addison’s disease or those who depend on regular steroids.

The Bottom Line for Safe Care

Clear guidelines, teamwork, and daily vigilance set the stage for safe care with hydrocortisone sodium succinate. Real lives depend on clinical judgment, quick thinking, and a willingness to adjust plans on the spot. Dispensing the right dose calls for experience, science, and a grounded approach to care—elements that build trust between patients and caregivers in moments that matter most.

What are the potential side effects of Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate?

Why Understanding Side Effects Matters

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate knows its way around emergency rooms and clinics. This drug turns up for all sorts of tough scenarios—severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, even life-threatening adrenal insufficiency. Since it acts fast, people trust it when seconds count. Still, taking the good without knowing the rough edges doesn’t do anyone favors. Steroids tend to bring both help and hassle. People deserve to know both sides of the story.

Common Physical Effects and Long-Term Risks

Using hydrocortisone over short bursts often leads to bloating, feeling wired or jittery, flushed skin, and sometimes trouble sleeping. Water retention can make shoes fit tighter. Muscle weakness sometimes sneaks up. People get hungry and thirsty more often, which might be the least of the worries but still throws off daily routines. If someone leans on this medicine for longer stretches, bigger issues can surface. Bones start to lose calcium, raising the risk of fractures—my aunt felt the sting after a six-month steroid stint and spent a year fighting back. Blood sugar can jump, which makes life for those with diabetes even trickier. Steroids mess with the immune system, increasing chances of infections that linger or worsen.

Weight gain and a rounder face—often called "moon face"—pop up with regular use. Stretch marks sometimes stay behind even after treatments end. These outward changes dig into self-confidence. Anyone who’s seen a friend go through it knows emotional scars last, too. As a kid, I remember my neighbor’s teen daughter missing school because she felt everyone stared at her puffy cheeks. Those stories stick with families.

Mental and Emotional Roadblocks

Mental side effects don’t always show on medical charts. Some people get irritable. Stress lands heavier. Mood swings or even depression walk in without warning. Sleep gets choppy and nightmares disturb rest. This happens to more people than most realize; a study from JAMA found over 25% of those taking corticosteroids reported noticeable mood changes. A parent watching their child wrestle with these shifts often feels powerless. Listening and looking for warning signs makes a difference—doctors might tweak doses or offer support, but friends and family shape a safety net that medication alone can’t provide.

Less Common, More Serious Problems

Hydrocortisone isn’t all bloating and mood changes. Rare problems show how unpredictable the body can be. Sudden allergic reactions to the injection itself sometimes cause breathing trouble or dangerous drops in blood pressure. Blood clots, changes in vision, or signs of pancreatitis creep up without much warning. If someone already walks a heart-disease tightrope, steroids can worsen blood pressure or push cholesterol in the wrong direction. I’ve met patients who, after high-dose treatment, landed in the ER. With prompt care, they bounced back—but those emergencies shake entire families to the core.

Common-Sense Ways to Lessen the Risks

Open conversation with doctors makes all the difference. Ask clear questions: "Will my child need this long-term?" "Is there a lower dose, or a way to step down?" Trusting that the benefits outweigh the bumps helps only if people feel respected and listened to. Keeping all doctors in the loop—especially if other medications are in play—avoids dangerous overlaps. Regular bone checks mean less chance of a surprise fracture. Blood sugar testing helps spot problems before they grow. If side effects start messing with daily life or don’t let up, push for a plan update. Watching out for mental, physical, and emotional changes gives everyone a fighting chance to manage the tough spots.

Finding Balance with Action and Awareness

No medicine comes risk-free. Hydrocortisone saves lives, but it also brings challenges bigger than the label hints at. Choosing to learn, share real experiences, and keep every door open with care teams gives families and patients control they deserve. People’s stories—scars, stretch marks, and all—remind us: side effects belong in the conversation, right alongside the victories.

How should Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate be stored?

Why Storage Demands Attention

Every hospital storeroom runs on routine, but cracks show up quickly when drugs go bad. Years spent on the pharmacy floor taught me that storing medication isn’t only about keeping bottles on shelves. For Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate, small lapses send both money and health down the drain. This steroid often sits among the first lines of defense in a crisis, whether for asthma, allergic reactions, or sudden adrenal failure. It's made to work fast—if it’s kept in shape for the job.

Light, Temperature, and Handling

Children have a keen sense for colored bottles, so bright light in the medicine cabinet seems harmless. Yet, Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate does not forgive. Direct sunlight slowly kills its punch. Pharmacies that stick powders and vials on a sunlit counter may as well throw away half the stock in a month. Optimal storage means protecting those vials from both the midday sun and industrial light bulbs that generate heat.

Temperature creeps up as another silent killer. This medication thrives below 25°C (77°F)—room temp in most climates. You'd think clinics in northern towns are safe, but air conditioning outages or old refrigerators spell trouble in summer. During one mild June at our rural site, a broken thermostat nudged the storeroom well past safe levels. Nurses noticed the gritty residue clinging to glass—nature’s way of signaling, “not today.” Unstable drugs become less predictable, and that’s a risk no nurse or doctor wants to shoulder when seconds count.

Don’t stick vials in the freezer, either. Freezing clumps up active ingredients and cracks glass, oddly tempting as it feels during a heat wave.

Moisture and Air: Quiet Threats

Open vials pull in humidity like bread left on the counter. Moisture triggers changes you can’t see right away, but it speeds breakdown. Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate vials and ampules last longer sealed tight, in dry air, away from water or condensation. Even a rainy day’s air will shorten shelf life if stoppers or seals aren’t checked.

Sometimes, the biggest problems stem from inattention. Cracked seals or loose caps mean air gets in, and before long, you’ve got unsafe medicine. Every pharmacist knows the feeling of tossing a dozen vials because a box sat open overnight. It’s not waste; it’s protection for patients.

Practical Solutions That Stick

Hospitals, urgent care centers, and even home users can do better by sticking to two rules. First, store Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate in its original box, out of reach of light, on a cool, dry shelf. Don’t trust intuition; a wall thermometer and hygrometer give you the real picture. Second, check expiration dates and seals with each restocking. Just last year, I watched a clinic dodge an emergency shortage because they kept a written log—nothing fancy, just pen and paper—tracking lot numbers and conditions each week.

Education beats technology some days. Make sure every staff member knows why these steps matter. It’s not overkill. Each of those faded vials could mean a missed life-saving chance. Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate doesn’t ask for much, just attention, care, and a dry, cool corner to do its work.

Are there any contraindications or drug interactions with Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate?

Looking at the Big Picture

Hydrocortisone sodium succinate gets prescribed in emergencies, for severe allergic reactions, and to control serious inflammation. Doctors reach for it during critical situations because it works quickly. This rapid relief carries a flip side. The risks tied to its use often get sidelined when people are focused on solving a pressing medical crisis. Understanding the bigger picture isn’t just for doctors. Patients and families need that knowledge, too, to avoid complications that nobody wants to face in an ER or hospital room.

Understanding Drug Interactions

I’ve seen firsthand people end up with unexpected side effects because nobody checked their full medication list. Steroids like hydrocortisone sodium succinate affect blood pressure, blood sugar, and even the stomach lining. Mixed with certain drugs, those effects can get magnified or trigger entirely new problems. For example, using this steroid with diuretics (like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide) might make potassium levels plummet. Suddenly someone feels weak or dizzy, and their heart rhythm may change in ways that put them at risk. It can interact with blood thinners, making it harder to manage bleeding and clotting issues. People on warfarin or DOACs need their doctors to keep a closer eye on them if they’re given this steroid.

Who Faces The Most Danger

For folks dealing with diabetes, steroids can send blood sugar soaring. Those readings might run high for days, making it difficult to get things back on track, even after the steroid finishes. Patients with a history of stomach ulcers or those taking NSAIDs have an increased chance of digestive bleeding. It makes sense for doctors to ask about gut pain or black stools as soon as they start steroid therapy. People with weakened immune systems also sit in a tricky situation. Hydrocortisone suppresses the immune response, so the body’s fight against even mild infections turns into a bigger battle.

The Role of Medical History

Nobody comes with a blank slate. Every prescription comes layered on top of a patient’s personal story. Someone with osteoporosis already faces thinning bones. Tossing steroids into the mix means their bones lose even more strength—a recipe for fractures if they stumble or fall. Those with heart failure need careful monitoring, since sodium in the medication can worsen fluid retention, causing swelling and breathing trouble. Pregnant women and babies bring special concerns, too. A mother’s unborn child may face risks if steroids aren’t necessary, so clear communication between the patient and doctor matters.

Solutions Hiding in Plain Sight

Better drug safety starts with honest conversation and information-sharing. Every health professional needs to ask about supplements, over-the-counter pills, and herbal remedies, not just prescription medicines. I encourage patients to keep an updated list, written down or saved on their phone, and bring it to every appointment. Timing makes a difference as well. For those on multiple medicines, separating doses can reduce stomach irritation or other side effects. Some hospitals have started routine cross-checks with pharmacists before administering new drugs, catching problems before they spiral. Technology helps, but so does listening—a five-minute check-in can prevent a month of headaches for patients and their families.

Making Informed Choices

People sometimes hesitate to mention side effects or drug allergies, but there’s nothing minor about complications from steroid interactions. Hydrocortisone sodium succinate plays an essential part in lifesaving care, yet it brings a responsibility to weigh risks honestly and double-check for hidden dangers. Asking questions and staying vigilant helps everyone—from front-line medical staff to folks just trying to get through a tough diagnosis.

Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate
Names
Preferred IUPAC name sodium (11β)-11,17,21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 21-(hydrogen succinate)
Other names Solu-Cortef
Hydrocortisone Succinate
Cortisol Hemisuccinate
Hydrocortisonum natricum succinas
Pronunciation /haɪˌdrəʊˈkɔː.tɪ.səʊn ˌsəˈkɪn.eɪt/
Identifiers
CAS Number 125-04-2
Beilstein Reference 1362082
ChEBI CHEBI:5807
ChEMBL CHEMBL1200632
ChemSpider 21477453
DrugBank DB00635
ECHA InfoCard 100.064.292
EC Number 206-984-3
Gmelin Reference 2630
KEGG C07157
MeSH D006821
PubChem CID 5743
RTECS number WS6475000
UNII 5F8HW8450Q
UN number UN2811
Properties
Chemical formula C25H33NaO8
Molar mass 494.48 g/mol
Appearance White or almost white, hygroscopic powder
Odor Odorless
Density 1.449 g/cm³
Solubility in water Very soluble in water
log P -1.3
Acidity (pKa) 12.59
Basicity (pKb) 8.20
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) -8.2e-6 cm³/mol
Viscosity Viscous liquid
Dipole moment 7.52 D
Pharmacology
ATC code H02AB09
Hazards
Main hazards Causes serious eye irritation. May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
GHS labelling GHS07, GHS08
Pictograms GHS07,GHS08
Signal word Warning
Hazard statements No hazard statements.
Precautionary statements Keep out of reach of children. For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. If irritation or rash occurs, discontinue use and consult a physician. Store at controlled room temperature. Use only as directed by a healthcare professional.
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) 1-0-0
Flash point No flash point
Lethal dose or concentration LD₅₀ (intravenous, mouse): 350 mg/kg
LD50 (median dose) LD50 (median dose): Mouse intravenous 240 mg/kg
NIOSH MS4585000
PEL (Permissible) PEL: Not established
REL (Recommended) 100–500 mg
IDLH (Immediate danger) Not listed
Related compounds
Related compounds Hydrocortisone
Hydrocortisone acetate
Cortisone
Cortisol
Prednisolone
Prednisone