How to prevent side effects of steroid medications?

by Nazeha Maryam Jamal, 5th Year Medical Student

Steroids, or steroids, are a complex group of chemical compounds (of the lipid type) of natural origin, which are produced by the body, but also widely used in medicine to treat many diseases and health problems. The most famous steroid drugs are glucocorticosteroids (also known as corticosteroids) and anabolic steroids (testosterone and its derivatives).

Glucocorticosteroids are the most powerful anti-inflammatory drugs. They have, among others: anti-allergic, immunosuppressive and anti-edematous properties. Unfortunately, when used chronically and in large doses, they cause many side effects. In general, the higher the dose and the longer the duration of use, the more numerous and more serious the side effects.

Treatment with glucocorticosteroids is called steroid therapy or steroid therapy. In medicine, the following are used, among others:

• cortisol, hydrocortisone (Hydrocortisonum, Corhydron, Oxycort),
• prednisone (Encorton) and prednisolone (Fenicort, Encortolon),
• methylprednisolone (Metypred, Medrol, Solu-Medrol, Depo-Medrol, Advantan),
• dexamethasone (Dexaven, Dexamethasone, Demezon ),
• betamethasone (Beloderm, Diprolene),
• budesonide (Pulmicort, Budiair, Nebbud),
• fluticasone (Cutivate, Flixotide, Flutixon).