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Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid medication that effectively reduces inflammation by suppressing the immune response. This class of drugs works by inhibiting various functions of the immune system, such as the release of substances that cause inflammation and by reducing the activity of immune cells. It’s often used to treat conditions characterized by inflammation, such as arthritis, allergic reactions, and other autoimmune disorders.

While aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen do have pain-relieving properties, their primary use is not focused solely on reducing inflammation. Aspirin and ibuprofen are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and do have anti-inflammatory effects; however, they can often have side effects that hydrocortisone does not share to the same extent. Acetaminophen primarily acts as a pain reliever and fever reducer but does not possess anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, hydrocortisone is uniquely suited for situations specifically requiring a potent anti-inflammatory effect.