A corticosteroid is an important and potent type medication that is commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation.
You may be prescribed a corticosteroid to treat the following conditions:
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis
- Skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis
- Some kinds of cancer
Corticosteroids may be administered by mouth (oral), applied to the skin (topical), inhaled, or injected.
Prednisone is the most commonly prescribed form of oral corticosteroid. Dexamathesone is a commonly prescribed form of injectable corticosteroid.
Corticosteroids vs. "Steroids"
Corticosteroids are similar to hormones that your adrenal glands produce to fight stress associated with illnesses and injuries. They reduce inflammation and affect the immune system.
Corticosteroids are different from anabolic steroids that may be abused by athlete's to build muscle mass. Corticosteroids do not build muscle mass.
Using Corticosteroids
The decision to begin a corticosteroid depends on several factors, including the condiiton being treated, its severity, its response to other treatments and the person's past use of corticosteroids.
Some people may need to take the medication for a short time only, until disease symptoms get better or go away. Others with more serious or life-threatening problems may require higher doses of the drug for longer periods of time.
In general, once your symptoms have responded to treatment, you will gradually take less and less of the drug until you can stop completely. If it is not possible for you to stop the drug completely, your doctor will give you the smallest amount possible to keep symptoms under control.
Doctors are careful about prescribing corticosteroids because many complications are associated with taking them. As a result, it is important to take the drug exactly as prescribed. People who have been taking corticosteroids for a long time may need higher doses of the drug before, during, or after a physically stressful event, such as surgery.
Corticosteroid Side Effects
These include changes in appearance (such as acne or increased facial hair); development of a round or moon-shaped face; thin, fragile skin that bruises easily; or movement of body fat to the trunk. You might also experience mood changes, personality changes, irritability, agitation, or depression.
Other possible side effects include increased appetite and weight gain, poor wound healing, headache, glaucoma, irregular menstrual periods, peptic ulcer, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, steroid-induced diabetes, and osteonecrosis (damage to a joint, usually the hip joint, that leads to severe arthritis).
Your adrenal glands, which are located just above your kidneys, normally make corticosteroids in small amounts. These corticosteroids are important for many body functions. When you take corticosteroid medication, your body begins to make much less than usual, or even stops completely. If you suddenly stop taking your medication, you may have a problem because your adrenal glands won’t have had time to make the corticosteroids you need. This problem is called “adrenal insufficiency.”
Signs of adrenal insufficiency include weakness, fatigue, fever, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If you experience any of these problems, call your nurse or doctor immediately.
Because corticosteroids cross the placenta, they are used cautiously during pregnancy. The drugs appear in breast milk, so if you are taking large doses, you should not breastfeed.
Precautions
- Do not take this drug if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it.
- Never miss a dose. Take this drug exactly as ordered. If you do miss a dose, call your nurse or doctor immediately to find out when you should take the missed dose.
- Never stop the medication suddenly.
- Tell any nurse, doctor, or dentist who is taking care of you that you are taking a corticosteroid.
- Carry medical identification and wear a bracelet to alert medical personnel that you take a corticosteroid. If you are planning to have a medical procedure, let the doctor performing the procedure know ahead of time that you take a corticosteroid. Your dose will likely need to be increased before the procedure.
- Avoid exposure to infections. Stay away from crowds and people known to have colds, the flu, or other infections.
- If taking corticosteroids for long periods of time, schedule regular vision checkups and report any problems with your vision to your doctor or nurse.
- Do not take this drug with other drugs, including over-the-counter medications, without first checking with your doctor or health care professional.
CORTICOSTEROID INSTRUCTIONS
- The brand name of your corticosteroid is ___________________________________.
- The dose of the corticosteroid that is ordered for you is __________________.
- Take the corticosteroid ______ time(s) a day.
- The best time(s) to take your corticosteroid:__________________
- You may take your corticosteroid with food or after meals if stomach upset occurs.
Source: Vivacare
Last updated : 1/8/2019