Levecortix-100/Levecortix-250 Dosage/Direction for Use

Levecortix-100: Hydrocortisone may be given intravenously, by slow injection or infusion, in the form of water-soluble derivatives such as Hydrocortisone sodium succinate or Hydrocortisone sodium phosphate when a rapid effect is required in emergencies: such conditions are acute adrenocortical insufficiency caused by Addisonian post-adrenalectomy crises, by the abrupt accident withdrawal therapy in corticosteroid treated patients, or by the inability of the adrenal glands to cope with increased stress in such patients certain allergic emergencies such as anaphylaxis; acute severe asthma and shock.
The usual dose is the equivalent of 100 to 500 mg of Hydrocortisone, repeated 3 or 4 times in 24 hrs, according to the severity of the condition and the patients response.
Children: Up to 1 year of age may be given 25 mg, those aged 1 to 5 years 50 mg, and those aged 6-12 years 100 mg.
For local administration by injection into soft tissues Hydrocortisone in the form of the sodium phosphate or sodium succinate esters is usually employed; doses in terms of Hydrocortisone are usually 100 mg to 200 mg. For Intra-articular injection Hydrocortisone acetate is usually used in doses of 5 to 50 mg depending upon the size of the joint. Or as prescribed by the physician.
Levecortix-250: This medicine may be administered by intravenous injection, by intravenous infusion, or by intramuscular injection, the preferred method for initial emergency use being intravenous injection. Following the initial emergency period, consideration should be given to employing a longer-acting injectable preparation or an oral preparation.
Dosage usually ranges from 100 mg to 500 mg depending on the severity of the condition, administered by intravenous injection over a period of one to ten minutes. This dose may be repeated at intervals of 2, 4 or 6 hours as indicated by the patient's response and clinical condition.
In general, high-dose corticosteroid therapy should be continued only until the patient's condition has stabilised usually not beyond 48 to 72 hours. If hydrocortisone therapy must be continued beyond 48 to 72 hours hypernatraemia may occur, therefore it may be preferable to replace hydrocortisone with a corticosteroid such as methylprednisolone sodium succinate as little or no sodium retention occurs. Although adverse effects associated with high dose, short-term corticoid therapy is uncommon, peptic ulceration may occur. Prophylactic antacid therapy may be indicated.
Patients subjected to severe stress following corticoid therapy should be observed closely for signs and symptoms of adrenocortical insufficiency.
Corticosteroid therapy is an adjunct to, and not a replacement for, conventional therapy.
In patients with liver disease, there may be an increased effect, and reduced dosing may be considered.
Elderly patients: Hydrocortisone is primarily used in acute short-term conditions. There is no information to suggest that a change in dosage is warranted in the elderly. However, treatment of elderly patients should be planned bearing in mind the more serious consequences of the common side-effects of corticosteroids in old age and close clinical supervision is required.
Paediatric population: While the dose may be reduced for infants and children, it is governed more by the severity of the condition and response of the patient than by age or body weight but should not be less than 25 mg daily.
Preparation of solutions: For intravenous or intramuscular injection prepare the solution aseptically by adding not more than 2 mL of sterile water for injections to the contents of one vial of this medicine, shake and withdraw for use.
When reconstituted as directed the pH of the solution will range from 7.0 to 8.0.
This medicine is not recommended for intrathecal or epidural use.
Or as prescribed by the physician.