Corticosteroids (systemic glucocorticoids)
- Powerful broad anti-inflammatory drugs
- Asthma/COPD, autoimmune disease, edema, cancer
- Short courses: glucose, mood, sleep effects
- Chronic use: weight, diabetes, osteoporosis
- Infection + adrenal suppression with duration
- Use lowest effective dose/shortest duration
- Taper when HPA suppression is plausible
Class at a glance
- Powerful broad anti-inflammatory drugs
Clinical role
- Asthma/COPD, autoimmune disease, edema, cancer
Other clinical roles
- Short courses: glucose, mood, sleep effects
- Use lowest effective dose/shortest duration
Clinical distinctions
- Chronic use: weight, diabetes, osteoporosis
- Infection + adrenal suppression with duration
- Taper when HPA suppression is plausible
Self-check
- What is the key clinical organizing principle for Corticosteroids (systemic glucocorticoids)?
Powerful broad anti-inflammatory drugs.
Drugs in this class (5)
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