Abstract
Glucocorticoid preparations form one of the cornerstones of the modern medical pharmacopeia. This class of medications has been especially useful to dermatologists, who are purported to be among its most prolific users. Oral glucocorticoids, available now for over 30 years, are prescribed to over 7% of hospitalized patients. Of this group, some 17% may experience adverse effects. It behooves any physician who uses these powerful agents to be aware of the potential complications and side effects. In this article we have undertaken to summarize and discuss selective examples of this rapidly growing segment of the literature.
MeSH terms
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Administration, Oral
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Animals
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Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced
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Connective Tissue / drug effects
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Eye Diseases / chemically induced
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Female
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Gastrointestinal Diseases / chemically induced
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Glucocorticoids* / administration & dosage
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Glucocorticoids* / adverse effects
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Glucocorticoids* / pharmacology
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Half-Life
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Humans
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / drug effects
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / metabolism
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Immunity / drug effects
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Infections / immunology
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Mineralocorticoids / adverse effects
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Mineralocorticoids / metabolism
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Mineralocorticoids / pharmacology
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Neoplasms / chemically induced
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Osteoporosis / chemically induced
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Pancreatitis / chemically induced
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Pituitary-Adrenal System / drug effects
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy Complications / chemically induced
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Pregnancy Complications / drug therapy
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Stomach Diseases / chemically induced
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Substance-Related Disorders / etiology
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Tuberculosis / drug therapy
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Tuberculosis / immunology
Substances
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Glucocorticoids
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Mineralocorticoids