Corticosteriods
Updated February 23, 2015.
Corticosteriods:
Unlike many other diseases, there is no cure for systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly called lupus. But doctors can offer those that suffer with lupus a number of treatment options. These options offer a measure of hope and a great deal of disease management, allowing sufferers to lead a relatively normal life.
One option is the use of medicine, ranging from anti-inflammatory to investigational.
The right medicinal choice is dependent on the nature of an individual’s disease. And a treatment course that begins with one drug can readily evolve into a new treatment course and different drug altogether.
Your doctor will chart a course for you, most likely based on three key factors: type and severity of lupus symptoms, your response to treatment, and the side effect risks involved with taking certain drugs.
Here, we’ll review anti-inflammatories, as well as give some examples of brand names that lupus patients might encounter.
Anti-Inflammatories:
The most common form of drugs used in treating lupus are anti-inflammatories, which relieve lupus symptoms by reducing inflammation associated with various forms of pain and discomfort. They are particularly effective against symptoms such as fever and arthritis, and in many cases are the only drugs required to manage a patient’s symptoms.
Anti-inflammatories fall into two categories: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, and corticosteriods.
In this section, we’ll discuss corticosteriods.
Corticosteroids:
Naturally occurring, corticosteroids are hormones produced in the adrenal cortex and considered potent anti-inflammatories. When given in high doses, they can also be an immunosuppressive.
They’re often used in creams for skin rashes associated with lupus, but they can be taken as a pill or delivered by injection as well. Lupus symptoms often respond rapidly to this form of treatment, and use of the drug can even save lives. But there are several side effects, such as an increased risk of infection and joint damage, that patients and their doctors will want to take into consideration.
Corticosteroids are often prescribed after NSAIDs have failed to relieve symptoms; in cases of severe symptoms, they may be given in high doses. If a patient responds well to the dosage, it may be tapered off over time, but the longer a patient is on a corticosteroid, the more difficult it may be to lower the dose.
Common Side Effects of Corticosteriods:
There are steps that can be taken to counteract some of these side effects, such as taking calcium to help prevent osteoporosis. The risk for developing side effects increases with the length of time a corticosteroid is prescribed, as will as the how high the dosage is.
Some Common Brand Names of Corticosteriods:
Here is a sampling of drug brand names that are classified as corticosteroids:
Medicines. Lupus Foundation of America. Collected on Dec. 4, 2007.
Treating Lupus.Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Revised August 2003.
Corticosteroids.Arthritis Today’s 2007 Drug Guide.
Corticosteriods:
Unlike many other diseases, there is no cure for systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly called lupus. But doctors can offer those that suffer with lupus a number of treatment options. These options offer a measure of hope and a great deal of disease management, allowing sufferers to lead a relatively normal life.
One option is the use of medicine, ranging from anti-inflammatory to investigational.
The right medicinal choice is dependent on the nature of an individual’s disease. And a treatment course that begins with one drug can readily evolve into a new treatment course and different drug altogether.
Your doctor will chart a course for you, most likely based on three key factors: type and severity of lupus symptoms, your response to treatment, and the side effect risks involved with taking certain drugs.
Here, we’ll review anti-inflammatories, as well as give some examples of brand names that lupus patients might encounter.
Anti-Inflammatories:
The most common form of drugs used in treating lupus are anti-inflammatories, which relieve lupus symptoms by reducing inflammation associated with various forms of pain and discomfort. They are particularly effective against symptoms such as fever and arthritis, and in many cases are the only drugs required to manage a patient’s symptoms.
Anti-inflammatories fall into two categories: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, and corticosteriods.
In this section, we’ll discuss corticosteriods.
Corticosteroids:
Naturally occurring, corticosteroids are hormones produced in the adrenal cortex and considered potent anti-inflammatories. When given in high doses, they can also be an immunosuppressive.
They’re often used in creams for skin rashes associated with lupus, but they can be taken as a pill or delivered by injection as well. Lupus symptoms often respond rapidly to this form of treatment, and use of the drug can even save lives. But there are several side effects, such as an increased risk of infection and joint damage, that patients and their doctors will want to take into consideration.
Corticosteroids are often prescribed after NSAIDs have failed to relieve symptoms; in cases of severe symptoms, they may be given in high doses. If a patient responds well to the dosage, it may be tapered off over time, but the longer a patient is on a corticosteroid, the more difficult it may be to lower the dose.
Common Side Effects of Corticosteriods:
- Weight gain
- Thinning of hair and skin
- Bruising
- Stomach discomfort
- Mood swings
- Increased risk of developing diabetes
- Increased risk of infection
- Increased risk of cataracts
- Joint damage
- Osteoporosis (bone thinning)
There are steps that can be taken to counteract some of these side effects, such as taking calcium to help prevent osteoporosis. The risk for developing side effects increases with the length of time a corticosteroid is prescribed, as will as the how high the dosage is.
Some Common Brand Names of Corticosteriods:
Here is a sampling of drug brand names that are classified as corticosteroids:
- Cortaid (hydrocortisone)
- Valisone (betamethasone)
- Lidex (fluocinonide)
- Prelone (prednisolone)
- Medrol (methylprednisolone)
- Solu-Cortef (methylprednisolone)
Medicines. Lupus Foundation of America. Collected on Dec. 4, 2007.
Treating Lupus.Handout on Health: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Revised August 2003.
Corticosteroids.Arthritis Today’s 2007 Drug Guide.
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