Liquid injectable supplies of Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate (previously known as Efcortesol®) for emergency injection kits are now available on NHS repeat prescriptions, having been unavailable since June 2022 due to supply issues. Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate is the preferred injection medication for many, so this is fantastic news for those living with steroid dependency.

What does this mean for people with Addison’s disease and adrenal insufficiency?

Since June 2022 there has been a manufacturing issue with Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate, meaning people living with steroid dependency have needed to use the alternative form of injectable hydrocortisone: Hydrocortisone 100mg Powder for Solution (previously known as Solu-Cortef) in their hydrocortisone emergency injection kits.

Your GP or endocrinology team can now prescribe you Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate, full prescription details below.

• Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate 100mg/1ml Solution for Injection (PIP code: 1200286) supplied by Advanz Pharma

This is some people's preference as Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate requires no mixing before drawing up into the needle for injection. Whereas the alternative, Hydrocortisone 100mg Powder for Solution (ex-Solu-Cortef), is a dried form of hydrocortisone that is mixed with a water vial before injection.

Learn more about emergency injections

If you don't already have them, you will also require the necessary intramuscular needles and syringes needed to inject. Your GP or Endocrinology team will be able to supply these for you when asked. Alternatively, Vanishpoint integrated safety syringes are available from our charity online shop. 

It is advisable to have multiple vials of the injectable hydrocortisone in case of breakages. 

More information on the items to be prescribed can be found in the 'medication management' section of the GP Care leaflet and also in our RCGP Training Module. If your GP or Endocrinologist will not prescribe the medication, please follow the steps under our 'What to do if you are refused an injection kit' heading on the emergency injection page.

Tips for when you request your prescription

If you have the option when submitting your prescription, let your GP know the reason this medication has not been issued to you recently is due to a manufacturing issue - not due to a change in your medical needs.

Otherwise your GP may ask you to have a medication review before your prescription is issued. Currently, there can be significant delays in getting NHS GP appointments. So if you can let your GP know this is the reason when submitting your prescription, this can avoid any delays in approving your prescription.

Your GP wants to be sure they are prescribing the correct medication so it may help to send your GP our GP Care leaflet and also the RCGP Training Module. There they can again be reassured the medication should be prescribed for all steroid-dependent people. 

Practise makes perfect - training in using the Hydrocortisone injection

If you have never used the emergency injection before, it is advisable to ask your Endocrine Nurse or Consultant to show you how to do this, preferably with a loved one so they can also learn. Most GPs surgeries are unable to provide this training, but you can always ask.

Some people find they need to ask someone for help in preparing the hydrocortisone injection syringe when they are unwell, so by having a loved one also educated in how to use the injection, if needed in an emergency that person can then hand you the prepared syringe to self-inject, or do it for you.

The majority of our community learn from our in-person demonstrations at our meetings and from our ‘How To’ videos on our YouTube channel and use our written guidance (picture instructions) in your kit.

#ShareYourKit

It's important to talk about injection kits, be confident in using them and educate those close to you - helped by seeing how others carry their kit. This is why we started the #ShareYourKit campaign. Search the hashtag on social media to see other peoples kits or take a look on our blog. 

Support

For guidance on taking your injection kit into gigs or venues, read our 'Sharps into Venues' article.

If you are confused or worried about drug shortages, we've put together a guide to support you.

For more emotional support, read our reducing the stress of a long-term condition page. If you would like to speak to others with Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency, remember our online forum is here for you 24/7. Click here to speak more with our community.

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