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Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility if you're having hydrocortisone injections

Hydrocortisone injections and pregnancy

Hydrocortisone injections can be used in pregnancy.

Most of the hydrocortisone stays in your joint and only a small amount enters your blood, so it will not harm your baby.

Hydrocortisone injections and breastfeeding

You can have hydrocortisone injections if you're breastfeeding.

It's not known how much hydrocortisone passes into breast milk, but because most of it stays in your joint, it's likely to be a tiny amount. It's unlikely to cause any side effects in your baby.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, is not putting on weight as you would expect, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your health visitor, midwife, pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.

Hydrocortisone injections and fertility

Hydrocortisone injections do not affect fertility in either men or women.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if:

  • you're breastfeeding and you want to have hydrocortisone injections

Page last reviewed: 22 January 2024
Next review due: 22 January 2027