Corticosteroids

Class at a glance

• Steroid drugs acting at glucocorticoid and/or MR

Practical pearls

• Mineralocorticoid activity varies by molecule

Clinical role

• Systemic steroids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs
• Inhaled/topical forms limit systemic exposure
• Hyperglycemia, infection + bone loss with chronic use

Other practical pearls

• HPA-axis suppression depends on dose/duration

Self-check

• What determines corticosteroid HPA-axis suppression?
  Dose and duration.
• Which corticosteroid routes limit systemic exposure?
  Inhaled and topical.

Drugs in this class (20)

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