Question

Hydrocortisone IV

– The mechanism of action?

Answer 1

Hydrocortisone is a glucocorticoid which can be administered orally, applied topically or given intravenously. Hydrocortisone is an immunosuppressant and anti inflammatory.
Hydrocortisone has following mechanism of action:   
Hydrocortisone exerts its effect by binding to glucocorticoid receptor resulting in inhibition of factors that provoke an inflammatory response such as phospholipase A2, NF-kappa B, other inflammatory transcription factors. This causss decreased vasodilation, capillary permeability of capillaries, decreased leukocyte migration and neutophil margination at the inflammatory site. These effects of hydrocortisone results in anti inflammatory and immunosuppressive action of the drug.