Steroids (original) (raw)

Also called: Corticosteroids, Glucocorticoids

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Summary

You may have heard of anabolic steroids, which can have harmful effects. But there's another type of steroid - sometimes called a corticosteroid - that treats a variety of problems. These steroids are similar to hormones that your adrenal glands make to fight stress associated with illnesses and injuries. They reduce inflammation and affect the immune system.

You may need to take corticosteroids to treat:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis
• Skin conditions such as eczema and rashes
• Some kinds of cancer

Steroids are strong medicines, and they can have side effects, including weakened bones and cataracts. Because of this, you usually take them for as short a time as possible.

Start Here

• Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis (American College of Rheumatology) Also in Spanish

• How to Stop Steroid Medicines Safely (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish

• Prednisone (Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center)

• Prednisone: Pediatric Medication (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center)

• What are Corticosteroids? (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish

• Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICSs) and Pregnancy (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists) Also in Spanish

• Prednisone/Prednisolone and Pregnancy (Organization of Teratology Information Specialists) Also in Spanish