Corticosteroids – What Are These Drugs For?

Corticosteroids are a type of medication also known as corticosteroids. This is because these drugs actually have the chemical structure of natural steroids synthesized in the brain. For this reason, corticosteroids , like hormones, are involved in numerous organic processes and reactions.

Among these reactions, some may be mentioned, such as the metabolic processes of nutrients, including proteins or carbohydrates, or inflammatory processes. They are also involved in the functioning of the immune system, as we will see later, and in the stress response.

Corticosteroids are prescription drugs because they are very potent. The doctor must monitor the dose and dosing regimen, as it is very dangerous to misuse these types of drugs.

On the other hand, as we will see throughout this article, corticosteroids (also known as corticosteroids interchangeably) are also prescribed to combat many diseases. For example, they are used to treat rheumatic diseases or Crohn’s disease.

What are corticosteroids used for?

As already mentioned, corticosteroids are drugs that are used to treat many diseases. Therefore, they are also available in many dosage forms.

First, these drugs are widely used to treat chronic lung diseases such as asthma or COPD, which is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. But they are also used for the occasional treatment of chronic bronchitis.

For these diseases, commercially available inhalers are used, which allow the administration of corticosteroids by nebulization.

In addition, there is also a classic tablet formulation for oral administration. Basically, it is used to treat almost all types of inflammatory diseases. These include those classified under rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or low back pain.

However, for joint pain, corticosteroids can also be administered intramuscularly.

Another use of corticosteroids is in the treatment of psoriasis, eczema, or other dermatitis. For these diseases, a topical preparation is applied and it is applied directly to the affected area.

Finally, another indication for this type of drug is autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

How do corticosteroids work from a pharmacological point of view?

As we already know, corticosteroids affect many processes in the body, which has numerous effects on it. Some of the main pharmacological activities are listed below:

• Carbohydrate, Protein, Lipid, Water and Electrolyte Metabolism: Corticosteroids raise blood glucose and pyruvate levels. They interfere with the redistribution of fat and increase the feeling of appetite. They also retain sodium and water, while promoting the excretion of potassium and hydrogen. They can also cause osteoporosis and myopathies.

• Effects on the cardiovascular system: they facilitate the appearance of edema.
• Immunosuppression: Affects the immune system by weakening it, which makes it effective in autoimmune diseases.
• Anti-inflammatory effect: reduces swelling symptoms such as redness, warmth, pain and swelling. They also inhibit the secretion of histamine.

Side effects of corticosteroids

Like all drugs on the market, corticosteroids can also cause a number of side effects that have been reported by different patients in clinical trials with these drugs.

Since these drugs are involved in a wide variety of organic processes, corticosteroids have quite a variety of side effects. For example, a significant increase in susceptibility to infections has been described, for example, as they are immunosuppressive drugs.

Other common side effects of these drugs are listed below:

• Musculoskeletal problems such as muscle pain, osteoporosis, and bone necrosis.
• Pancreatitis and peptic ulcer.
• Hypertension
• Acne

In addition to these reactions, they can also have other effects, such as mental disorders. More specifically, corticosteroids can cause conditions such as depression, psychosis, or insomnia. In addition, side effects include cataracts, glaucoma, or endocrine problems (diabetes, excess weight or too short stature due to the relationship with growth hormone)

Application

Corticosteroids are drugs related to the body’s steroid hormones that have many effects in the patient who takes them. These are drugs with very strong and often dangerous effects, so you need to be very careful when taking them, strictly follow the doctor’s instructions and not self-medicate.