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Hydrocortisone Enema

Hydrocortisone Enema Side Effects

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCPDaisy Chau, PharmD
Reviewed by Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, Daisy Chau, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 16, 2024

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Skin bruising
  • Skin thinning
  • High blood pressure
  • Weight gain

Less Common Side Effects

  • Rectal pain or burning
  • Bleeding in the rectum
  • Weakened bones
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling bloated

Source: DailyMed

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The following Hydrocortisone Enema side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or rare

Burning and itching of skin

chills

depression

diarrhea

false sense of well-being

fever

infection

mood swings

painful, red or itchy, pus-containing blisters in hair follicles

personality changes

rectal bleeding, burning, dryness, itching, or pain not present before therapy

sensation of pins and needles

stabbing pain

straining while passing stool (with tixocortol only)

Additional side effects may occur if you use this medicine for a long time. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Abdominal or stomach pain

acne

backache

coughing

coughing up blood

decreased resistance to infection

dryness of mouth

eye pain

filling or rounding out of the face

gradual blurring or loss of vision

headache

hunchback

increased thirst

irregular heartbeat

loss of appetite

menstrual irregularities

mood or mental changes

muscle cramps or pain

muscle weakness

nausea or vomiting

nonelevated blue or purplish patch on the skin

osteoporosis or bone fractures

pain in joints

pain or discomfort in the area of a vein

rapid weight gain

reddish purple lines on arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin

redness of eye

sensitivity of eye to light

shortness of breath

skin rash

slow wound healing

stunting of growth (in children)

swelling of feet or lower legs

trouble in sleeping

unusual decrease in sexual desire or ability in men

tearing of eyes

unusual increase in hair growth (especially on the face)

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight loss

weak pulse

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common or rare

Dizziness

dry, scaly skin

increase in appetite

increased sweating

lightened skin color

passing of gas (with budesonide only)

sensation of spinning

thin, fragile skin

thinning hair on scalp

unusual weight gain

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Why trust our experts?

Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP, started his full-time career as a clinical pharmacist at UCLA Health in the general medicine, general cardiology, and ICU units after completing residency in 2016. He also was the preceptor for the general medicine rotation from 2017 to 2021, which was a required rotation for all pharmacy residents.
Daisy Chau, PharmD
Reviewed by:
Daisy Chau, PharmD
Daisy Chau, PharmD, is the drug information pharmacist manager at GoodRx. She is licensed in California and has more than 6 years of experience working as a pharmacist in drug information.

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