Corticosteroids Health Article

Warnings

Patients with the following conditions should use corticosteroids with caution:

• 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 and bruise more easily

Interactions

Corticosteroids interact with many other drugs a patient might take. Patients should inform their doctor about all other medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) they take, and discuss possible interactions.

BOOKS

Brody, T. M., J. Larner, K. P. Minneman, and H. C. Neu. Human Pharmacology: Molecular to Clinical, 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby Year-Book, 1998.

Griffith, H. W., and S. Moore. 2001 Complete Guide to Prescription and Nonprescription Drugs. New York: Berkely Publishing Group, 2001.

ORGANIZATIONS

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

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

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

Samuel Uretsky, PharmD