Corticosteroids
Cortisone and its relatives, Prednisone and Prednisolone, are very useful in patients with organ grafts. They can be given by mouth, but, although not damaging to the blood-forming cells, they do predispose the body to infection, cause stunted growth in children, and have other injurious effects. Persons receiving these substances may develop complexion problems with swollen faces and may tend to gain weight and become diabetic, and their bones may become brittle. Few recipients of organ transplants, however, can do without corticosteroids, particularly during an active rejection crisis.
Commonly used corticosteroid medications include:
| Pills | Injections |
| Cortisone Decadron Delta-cortef Deltasone Dexamethasone Hydrocortone Kenacort Medrol Methylprednisolone Orasone Prednisolone Prednisone Triamcinolone |
Aristocort Celestone Cinalone Depo-medrol Hydeltrasol Hydeltra TBA Kenalog |
Corticosteroids are used in arthritis for two reasons. First, they are anti-inflammatory; that is, they decrease inflammation. Many people who have rheumatic diseases experience a lot of inflammation, which is the process that causes the joint pain, warmth, and swelling of arthritis and related conditions. Inflammation can take place in the joints (rheumatoid arthritis), in the tendons (tendinitis), or in different organs at the same time (lupus). In rheumatic diseases, one of the purposes of therapy is to stop inflammation and the damage it causes. Medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) often are used to stop inflammation, but they may not be strong enough or may have too many side effects. When side effects from NSAIDs present a problem or inflammation is severe and threatens to cause serious damage, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to decrease inflammation.
Second, corticosteroids are immunosuppressive. This means that they reduce the activity of your immune system. A healthy immune system helps defend your body against bacteria, viruses, and cancer. However, sometimes the immune system goes out of control and starts attacking the tissues and organs of its own body. This is called autoimmunity, and most doctors feel that with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis, the immune system has started attacking the body's own tissues and organs. In these diseases, corticosteroids help by decreasing the harmful autoimmune activity. However, they also decrease the body's helpful immune activity, which can increase susceptibility to infection and interfere with the healing process.
The benefits and the risks of corticosteroid treatment depend upon many factors, including:
Corticosteroid dosage varies from disease to disease and from person to person.
CorticosteroidsCommonly used corticosteroid medications include:
This is a partial list and includes generic and brand names. Various corticosteroid syrups are available for children. Some corticosteroid preparations can be taken by injection. Corticosteroids are used in arthritis for two reasons. First, they are anti-inflammatory; that is, they decrease inflammation. Many people who have rheumatic diseases experience a lot of inflammation, which is the process that causes the joint pain, warmth, and swelling of arthritis and related conditions. Inflammation can take place in the joints (rheumatoid arthritis), in the tendons (tendinitis), or in different organs at the same time (lupus). In rheumatic diseases, one of the purposes of therapy is to stop inflammation and the damage it causes. Medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) often are used to stop inflammation, but they may not be strong enough or may have too many side effects. When side effects from NSAIDs present a problem or inflammation is severe and threatens to cause serious damage, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to decrease inflammation. Second, corticosteroids are immunosuppressive. This means that they reduce the activity of your immune system. A healthy immune system helps defend your body against bacteria, viruses, and cancer. However, sometimes the immune system goes out of control and starts attacking the tissues and organs of its own body. This is called autoimmunity, and most doctors feel that with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and vasculitis, the immune system has started attacking the body's own tissues and organs. In these diseases, corticosteroids help by decreasing the harmful autoimmune activity. However, they also decrease the body's helpful immune activity, which can increase susceptibility to infection and interfere with the healing process. The benefits and the risks of corticosteroid treatment depend upon many factors, including:
Corticosteroid dosage varies from disease to disease and from person to person. The information provided here is general. Discuss your own situation with your doctor. Corticosteroids are used to treat several forms of arthritis. Following are examples of some of the rheumatic diseases and conditions that respond to corticosteroid treatment:
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