Drug interactions Corticosteroids can interact with other drugs. Pay careful attention when using corticosteroids with: drugs that affect the levels of potassium in blood (e.g. diuretics, certain laxatives) drugs that have known side effects when potassium levels drop in the bloodstream. (e.g. digitalis) drugs resulting in decreased cortisone in the blood (e.g. rifampicin, [...]
Corticosteroids therapies There are several forms of corticosteroid therapies defined according to their route of administration, the duration of the prescription and the dosage recommended. The main routes of administration of corticosteroids are : - Oral (by ingestion through the mouth) e.g., prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone - Parenteral (intravenous or intramuscular) [...]
What is its history? The Role of the Adrenal Glands Since the 1800's scientists have studied the role of the adrenal glands. At that time, Englishman Thomas Addison discovered a fatal disease caused by lesions of these glands, underlining their importance to the human body. Addison's Disease is a condition in which the [...]
How does it work? Oral corticosteroids are well absorbed by the body after ingestion (80%) and rapidly enter the blood stream (peak blood level is reached 1-2 hours after the dose is taken) Prednisone must be converted into prenisolone by the body in order to function. However, doctors often prescribe prednisone instead of [...]
Who is treated? A study completed in the UK shows that at any moment approximately 1% of the general population is treated with oral corticosteroids through either oral, intravenous or intramuscular administration. This figure does not take into account those patients that have received corticosteroids by other routes of ingestion (e.g. inhalation or [...]
For what conditions? Many diseases are treated with corticosteroids. It would be difficult to include all of them on a single list. For example, when prednisoneentered the market, it concerned the treatment of over a hundred diseases. A study in the UK revealed that the main conditions frequently requiering long term (i.e. > [...]
How to take your cortisone medication? It is considered best to take corticosteroids in the morning as this is when the body usually produces the most cortisol. However, for certain diseases or severe cases, your doctor may prescribe you treatment in two separate doses (e.g. morning/afternoon or morning/evening). It is usually recommended that [...]
Contra-indications There are no full contra-indications for a treatment with corticosteroids when this treatment is required. However, there are cases where corticosteroids are not recommended: Evolving infectious diseases Severe psychiatric disorder that has been unsuccessfully treated Individuals who have been recently received lived attenuated vaccines In addition, In cases of active peptic ulcer, [...]
What is cortisone ? Above each individual's kidney lies the small, pyramid-shaped adrenal gland. The adrenal gland consists of two parts, each with a specific function. The central part is called the adrenal medulla (or medulla) and the outer portion is called the adrenal cortex (or cortex) These two parts of the gland [...]