CORTICOSTEROIDS

                                CORTICOSTEROIDS

Corticosteroids are a class of drugs that lowers inflammation in the body. They also reduce immune system activity.
Because corticosteroids ease swelling, itching, redness, and allergic reactions, doctors often prescribe them to help treat diseases like:

• asthma

• arthritis

• lupus

• allergies

• Skin conditions such as eczema and rashes

• Some kinds of cancer

• Ophthalmology

• Uveitis

• Optic neuritis

• Keratoconjunctivitis

Why Corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive, meaning they reduce the activity of your immune system. Doctors often prescribe them for fast, temporary relief while waiting for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or biologics to take full effect or during a severe flare of symptoms. 

TYPE OF CORTICOSTEROIDS:-

A. Glucocorticoids:- 

Glucocorticoids such as cortisol affect carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism, and have anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-proliferative, and vasoconstrictive effects.

B. Mineralocorticoids:-

Mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone are primarily involved in the regulation of electrolyte and water balance by modulating ion transport in the epithelial cells of the renal tubules of the kidney.

How They’re Given

You can be prescribed corticosteroids in several ways.

•  Topical :-

Creams and ointments are used to treat various skin conditions, including psoriasis that occurs with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). 

Amcinonide 0.1% (Cyclocort cream, lotion)
Mometasone furoate 0.1% (Elocon ointment)
Fluticasone propionate 0.005% (Cutivate ointment)
Betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% (Betanate cream)
Triamcinolone acetonide 0.5% (Kenalog cream, ointment)

•  Ophthalmic:-

 Steroid eye drops are often the best way to bring down inflammation in uveitis.

HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE 0.5%

PREDNISOLONE ACETATE 1%

DEXAMETHASONE PHOSPHATE 0.1%

BETAMETHASONE 0.5%

FLUOROMETHOLONE 0.1%

•  Oral:-

Tablets, capsules or syrups may help reduce inflammation and pain in people with RA and lupus. (Oral steroids should not be used for PsA, however; they can trigger severe forms of the disease.)

• hydrocortisone (Cortef)
• cortisone.
• ethamethasoneb (Celestone)
• prednisone (Prednisone Intensol)
• prednisolone (Orapred, Prelone)
• triamcinolone (Aristospan Intra-Articular, Aristospan Intralesional, Kenalog) 
• Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Solu-Medrol)

•  Intramuscular:-

Your doctor might suggest a one-time injection into a muscle if you need longer-acting relief than oral medication can provide.

• Prednisone.
• Prednisolone.
• Methylprednisolone.
• Beclomethasone.
• Betamethasone.
• Dexamethasone.
• Hydrocortisone.
• Triamcinolone.

•  Intravenous (IV):-

IV steroids might be used to treat a severe disease flare, but they’re not intended for intermittent use.

• ethamethasoneb (Celestone) 
• prednisone (Prednisone Intensol) 
• prednisolone (Orapred, Prelone) 
• triamcinolone (Aristospan Intra-Articular, Aristospan Intralesional, Kenalog) 
• Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Solu-Medrol)

•  Intra-articular:-

An injection of a corticosteroid (sometimes combined with a local anesthetic) directly into an individual joint can reduce inflammation and pain due to arthritis. The effect may last for several months, but repeated injections can increase cartilage loss.
 

• methylprednisolone acetate, 
• triamcinolone acetate, 
• betamethasone acetate 
• betamethasone sodium phosphate, 
• triamcinolone hexacetonide, 
• dexamethasone.