Corticosteroids – action, indications, side effects

Corticosteroids, also known as glucocorticoids, are a group of drugs with a wide range of effects that have been used in medicine for many years.In this article, we will discuss what corticosteroids are, what they do, what they are used for, what side effects they may have, and some suggestions for their use.

What are corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)?

Corticosteroids are a type of hormone produced naturally by the adrenal glands in humans.Their name comes from the adrenal cortex, where they are produced.Corticosteroids perform many important functions in the body, including regulating inflammatory processes, controlling water and electrolyte balance, influencing carbohydrate metabolism and affecting the immune system.

Artificially synthesized corticosteroids, called glucocorticoids, are used in medicine as drugs because they can affect many biological processes in patients’ bodies.They are available in various forms, such as tablets, creams, inhalation sprays and injections, which allows them to be tailored to a specific therapeutic need.

Corticosteroids – action

The action of corticosteroids is mainly to inhibit inflammatory processes and the body’s immune reactions.These drugs reduce the release of substances responsible for inflammatory processes, which contributes to reducing pain, swelling and redness in inflammatory conditions.They are also immunosuppressive, which means they weaken the body’s immune response, which may be beneficial for autoimmune diseases.

What is treated with corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are used to treat a wide variety of conditions, both acute and chronic.Here are some examples of indications for the use of corticosteroids:

• Autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis and urticaria.
• Inflammatory skin conditions including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.
• Respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Arthritis.
• Organ transplantation to prevent transplant rejection.

Corticosteroids – side effects

Although corticosteroids can be very effective in treating many conditions, they can also cause a number of side effects.The most common of them are:

• Bone loss (osteoporosis) and risk of fractures.
• Increased blood pressure and risk of hypertension.
• Overpowering the immune system, which increases the risk of infection.
• Obesity and diabetes.
• Vision problems, including cataracts.

Side effects of corticosteroids depend on the dose, duration of use and individual patient response.Therefore, it is important for the doctor to carefully evaluate the benefits and risks before prescribing these drugs and monitor the patient during therapy.

Your suggestions

If you have questions about the use of corticosteroids or would like more information on this topic, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.It is always a good idea to obtain appropriate information before starting corticosteroid therapy so that you are fully aware of the potential benefits and risks.

Recommended articles

If you are interested in the topic of corticosteroids, we also recommend reading other articles related to the treatment of conditions that can be treated with these drugs.It’s good to be well-informed about your health and treatment options.

Corticosteroids are an important group of drugs that have a wide range of applications in medicine.Their action may bring relief to patients suffering from various diseases, but it should be remembered that their use is also associated with the risk of side effects.Therefore, an individual approach to each case and regular monitoring by a specialist are crucial.