Steroid Side Effects: How to Reduce Corticosteroid Side Effects

With severe episodes or emergencies, high-dose steroids are often given in an IV. As the symptoms improve, the medicine is changed from IV to oral forms and then slowly decreased. If steroid use is brief , it is possible that none of the listed side effects will occur.

For these patients, steroid therapy might eliminate the need for kidney dialysis or transplantation. Examples of local steroid treatments include joint injections, steroids eye drops, ear drops and skin creams. Systemic steroid treatments include oral medicines or medicine that is delivered directly into a vein or muscle .

Oral prednisone is the most commonly prescribed systemic steroid in New Zealand. People who use and abuse anabolic steroids do so for the effects related to improved physical performance and muscle growth. Both topical and oral corticosteroids affect your body’s ability to produce collagen, the main structural protein in skin. This can lead to very thin skin as well as poor wound healing, easy bruising, broken blood vessels and stretch marks. The hormone cortisol helps regulate the balance of water, sodium and other electrolytes in your body. When you take corticosteroids, you may retain excess fluid leading to a corresponding spike in blood pressure.

Your NMS should explain the risks and benefits of steroids, and screen for side effects at each visit. Be sure to tell all of your health care providers that you are taking steroids . This is especially important if you are having surgery, have an infection, or have an injury.

If you feel your dog requires daily corticosteroid use, inform your veterinarian, who may recommend an additional or alternative treatment combination. For dogs on higher doses or frequencies of corticosteroids, stomach protectants (e.g., omeprazole) are often used to prevent stomach upset. Ask your doctor about trying lower doses or intermittent dosing.

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