What do they do?
Corticosteroids are man-made drugs similar to cortisol (or hydrocortisone) – a hormone produced naturally by the adrenals. Doctors prescribe them to quickly suppress inflammation that can damage the joints and/or internal organs in people with many forms of arthritis and related conditions.
How do they work?
Corticosteroid medications control inflammation by simulating the effects of the hormone cortisol, which plays a number of roles in the body, including downplaying the interaction between T-cells and B-cells – two types of white blood cells involved in initiating and propagating the immune response – and blocking prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that trigger inflammation.
Who are they for?
Corticosteroids are used to suppress inflammation of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis (for example, arteritis and Wegener’s granulomatosis), ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, scleroderma and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Doctors prescribe corticosteroids for people who need quick relief from inflammation that threatens the joints or internal organs. Because the drugs work quickly, doctors often prescribe them while waiting for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to take effect. For other people, corticosteroids are required long-term to control inflammation, but doses may be increased during times of heightened inflammation.
What’s important to know about the drug class?
Corticosteroid medications typically are taking orally; however, they are sometimes given intravenously when high doses are needed quickly for short periods of time. Some forms of corticosteroids can be injected directly into the joints for relief of pain and swelling. Topical corticosteroids are applied directly to the skin to relieve the inflamed skin lesions of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and psoriasis. If the topical corticosteroid is used over a wide area, systemic side effects may occur.
When taking oral corticosteroids it is important not to stop taking them too quickly because taking the drugs more than a couple of weeks can cause your adrenal glands to slow or even stop their own cortisol production. Thus, stopping quickly could lead to a dangerous cortisol deficiency. Gradually decreasing, or tapering, the dosage, however, gives your own adrenal glands time to resume their normal function. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to taper your dose.
Long-term use of corticosteroids, particularly at high doses, is associated with a number of side effects, including brittle bones, cataracts, high blood fats, increased risk of infection, mood swings, thin skin, and weight gain. If you need corticosteroids long term, it’s important to eat healthfully, get plenty of exercise, avoid live vaccines and being around people who are sick, and ask your doctor about the need for osteoporosis medication, eye exams and other measures to reduce their drugs’ harmful effects on your body.
Drug Guide: Corticosteroids
Steroids, or corticosteroids, treat inflammation in joints and organs.
What do they do?
Corticosteroids are man-made drugs similar to cortisol (or hydrocortisone) – a hormone produced naturally by the adrenals. Doctors prescribe them to quickly suppress inflammation that can damage the joints and/or internal organs in people with many forms of arthritis and related conditions.
How do they work?
Corticosteroid medications control inflammation by simulating the effects of the hormone cortisol, which plays a number of roles in the body, including downplaying the interaction between T-cells and B-cells – two types of white blood cells involved in initiating and propagating the immune response – and blocking prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that trigger inflammation.
Who are they for?
Corticosteroids are used to suppress inflammation of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vasculitis (for example, arteritis and Wegener’s granulomatosis), ankylosing spondylitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, scleroderma and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Doctors prescribe corticosteroids for people who need quick relief from inflammation that threatens the joints or internal organs. Because the drugs work quickly, doctors often prescribe them while waiting for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to take effect. For other people, corticosteroids are required long-term to control inflammation, but doses may be increased during times of heightened inflammation.
What’s important to know about the drug class?
Corticosteroid medications typically are taking orally; however, they are sometimes given intravenously when high doses are needed quickly for short periods of time. Some forms of corticosteroids can be injected directly into the joints for relief of pain and swelling. Topical corticosteroids are applied directly to the skin to relieve the inflamed skin lesions of cutaneous lupus erythematosus and psoriasis. If the topical corticosteroid is used over a wide area, systemic side effects may occur.
When taking oral corticosteroids it is important not to stop taking them too quickly because taking the drugs more than a couple of weeks can cause your adrenal glands to slow or even stop their own cortisol production. Thus, stopping quickly could lead to a dangerous cortisol deficiency. Gradually decreasing, or tapering, the dosage, however, gives your own adrenal glands time to resume their normal function. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to taper your dose.
Long-term use of corticosteroids, particularly at high doses, is associated with a number of side effects, including brittle bones, cataracts, high blood fats, increased risk of infection, mood swings, thin skin, and weight gain. If you need corticosteroids long term, it’s important to eat healthfully, get plenty of exercise, avoid live vaccines and being around people who are sick, and ask your doctor about the need for osteoporosis medication, eye exams and other measures to reduce their drugs’ harmful effects on your body.
