Corticosteroids Health Article

Mineralocorticoids

Because fludrocortisone has glucocorticoid activity as well as mineralocorticoid action, the same hazards and precautions apply to fludrocortisone as to the glucocorticoids. Overdose of fludrocortisone may also cause edema, hypertension, and congestive heart failure.

Corticotropins

Corticotropin has all the same risks as the glucocorticoids. Prolonged use may cause reduced response to the stimulatory effects of corticotropin.

Warnings and contraindications

Use corticosteroids with caution in patients with the following conditions:

• osteoporosis or any other bone disease
• current or past tuberculosis
• glaucoma or cataracts
• infections of any type (virus, bacteria, fungus, amoeba)
• sores in the nose or recent nose surgery (if using nasal spray forms of corticosteroids)
• underactive or overactive thyroid
• liver disease
• stomach or intestine problems
• diabetes
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• kidney disease or kidney stones
• myasthenia gravis
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• emotional problems
• skin conditions that cause the skin to be thinner to bruise more easily

Interactions

Corticosteroids have many drug interactions. Consult specific references.

ORGANIZATIONS

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 611 East Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. (414) 272-6071. <http://www.aaaai.org>.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. 1125 15th Street NW, Suite 502, Washington, DC 20005. (800) 727-8462. <http://www.aafa.org>.

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. National Institutes of Health. P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105. (301) 251-1222. <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/nhlbi.htm>.

Samuel Uretsky, PharmD

KEY TERMS

Hallucination—A false or distorted perception of objects, sounds, or events that seems real. Hallucinations usually result from drugs or mental disorders.

Hormone—A substance that is produced in one part of the body, then travels through the bloodstream to another part of the body where it has its effect.

Inflammation—Pain, redness, swelling, and heat that usually develop in response to injury or illness.

Ointment—A thick, spreadable substance that contains medicine and is meant to be used on the outside of the body.

Pregnancy category—A system of classifying drugs according to their established risks for use during pregnancy. Category A: controlled human studies have demonstrated no fetal risk. Category B: animal studies indicate no fetal risk, but no human studies; or adverse effects in animals, but not in well-controlled human studies. Category C: no adequate human or animal studies; or adverse fetal effects in animal studies, but no available human data. Category D: evidence of fetal risk, but benefits outweigh risks. Category X: evidence of fetal risk. Risks outweigh any benefits.