Oral steroids are used to reduce the harmful effect of the inflammatory process caused by your disease.  General rule of using steroids is to prescribe the LEAST strong steroid which is effective for the SHORTEST possible length of time to achieve the healing effect but reducing side effects.

Indications for use by Specialists of their patients include ;

• Arthritis (during the initial acute inflammatory phase)
• Auto-immune disorders such as lupus (during the acute inflammatory phase)
• Kidney diseases such as Nephrotic syndrome (at low dose)

Mild Side Effects include ;

• disturbance of your blood sugar which may make it more difficult to control your diabetes
• mood change (increased irritability or depression)
• sleep disturbance
• Water retention and weight gain
• Gastric symptoms like gastritis or stomach ulcer

Serious Side Effects (which can also be LIFE-THREATENING) include ;

If potent corticosteroids are used for a long time, there’s a risk of developing these side effects;

• stunted growth in children
• adrenal gland suppression
• Cushing’s syndrome
• steroid induced Glaucoma
• steroid induced Cataract
• prone to fractures due to bone thinning called osteoporosis
• prone to life-threatening infections (septic shock syndrome) due to weakening of the immune system

Dos and Don’ts when taking steroids for long periods

• DO take the medication with food at the same time every day (mornings are best)
• DO follow the dosage instructions given by your doctor
• DO see your doctor if you get any side effects listed above
• DO see your doctor for regular follow-up visits so that he/she can adjust your dose according to your disease activity (based on your blood tests / scans / x-Ray / function tests)

• DO NOT double the next dose even if you had missed a dose the day before
• DO NOT self medicate steroid medication

• DO NOT stop your steroids suddenly due to withdrawal effects. The dose has to be tapered down slowly before it can be stopped

Discuss the treatment regime with your Doctor or Pharmacist to use your medication safely.  AVOID self-medication

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