HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Have been on prednisone for one year for lupus. rheumatologist is hoping to switch me to hydrocortisone when i get to 4 mg.is there an advantage?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. John Chiu answered

Yes: The hydrocortisone is used to support your body since your adrenal may no longer be producing enough cortisone by itself after a long-term suppression by the prednisone. It may still recover with time but putting you on a physiologic dose of cortisone is a prudent step.

Answered 5/5/2018

3.4k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

What antimalaria drug should be given to one taking hyperthyroidism medicine and prednisone when traveling to africa allergic to Plaqunil. Have lupus?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Lupus/sjogrens. Get frequent moments where my brain feels swollen & i'm confused.Prednisone always clears it up but md doesn't know true cause. ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Wouldn't brain inflamm.Show on brainmri? My MRI normal.I get frequent debilitating lightheadedness&headaches. Prednisone 10mg/day resolves it. Have lupus.Neg neuro exam

4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

I have addisons disease. They want me on prednisone of hydrocortisone. Which one has less negative side effects? Thanks

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Lupus & struggling w/prednisone drop from 6mg to 5.5 mg. Get pleuritic chest pain, muscles pain/stiffness, brain fog (mini flare or withdrawal sx)?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

My rheumatologist said 'if a patient has lupus then prednisone doesn't work." why is that?
How is active lupus or flare treated if not with prednisone if already on Plaquenil? My rheumatologist only prescribes steroids for organ involvement. How to help the fatigue, etc when working full-time?
For a year now my doctor has been trying to lower prednisone but every time i get lower than 10 mg i get a lupus flare, what do you recommend ?
I suffer from lupus, I frequently get bleeding stomach ulcers prednisone isn't affective what else might help.
Lupus/sjogr. Inflam markers NORMAL.Get spells of confusion/fog.Can't function at work during spell.MD tried prednisone for spells.Sx resolved.Why?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.