Chapter 184 - Glucocorticoids Flashcards
Complications are increased with (4)
- Fluorinated compounds
- Higher doses
- Longer duration of therapy
- More frequent administration
Essential component of therapy
Careful monitoring of systemic and cutaneous side effects
Major naturally occurring glucocorticoid
Hydrocortisone / cortisol
Daily cortisol production is ___ with a diurnal peak around ___ with plasma half life of ____
5-7 mg/m2
8am
90minutes
Glucocorticoids suppress monocyte and lymphocyte function (Th1 and Th2) more than polymorphonuclear lymphocyte function.
True or False
True, hence granulomatous diseases such as Tb are prone to exacerbation and relapse
B lymphocytes and plasma cells are not resistant to suppressive effects of glucocorticoids.
True or False
False, relatively resistant
The use of glucocorticoids is controversial in the treatment of: (4)
EN
LP
CTCL
DLE
Most common indications of systemic steroids: (9)
Serious blistering diseases CT diseases Vasculitis Neutrophilic dermatoses Sarcoidosis Type I reactive leprosy Hemangioma of infancy Panniculitis Urticaria/Angioedema
For IL admin in conditions like keloids and aa, the ff drugs are used
Triamcinolone acetate (Aristospan) + Triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog)
It is best to limit monthly dose of triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog) to ___ to ensure that HPA axis will not be suppressed
20 mg
Disadvantages of IM admin: (2)
Erratic absorption
Lack of daily control of dose
ADE of IM inj: (2)
Lipoatrophy
Sterile abscesses
Short acting have more side effects than long-acting formulations
True or False
False
IM administration produce lasting effects up to ___
3 weeks
IV glucocorticoids are used in 2 situations:
- Acutely ill/undergoing surgery
2. Resistant PG, pemphigus, BP, severe SLE or DM
____ is used for its high potency and low sodium retaining activity
Methylprednisolone 500mg-1g OD
Serious side effects associated with IV administration (4)
Anaphylaxis
Seizures
Arrythmias
Sudden death
Most commonly prescribed oral glucocorticoid
Prednisone
For intermediate acting glucocorticoids, the ff have zero mineralocorticoid activity
Triamcinolone
Methylprednisolone
For long acting glucocorticoids, the ff have zero mineralocorticoid activity
Dexamethasone
Betamethasone
Examples of short acting glucocorticoids
Cortisol
Cortisone
Biologic half life of short-acting glucocorticoids
8-12h
Biologic half life of intermediate-acting glucocorticoids
18-36 hours
Biologic half life of long acting glucocorticoids
36-54h
Examples of mineralocorticoid
Fludrocortisone
Desoxycorticosterone acetate
Diet should be high in ___ (3)___and low in ___(3)___
Protein, potassium, calcium
Calories, fat, sodium
All patients taking glucocorticoids ___ or higher for ___ should be screened for Tb
15mg or higher
1 month
As glucocorticoids may downregulate delayed type hypersensitivity reactions, a PPD is considered positive if with ___ or more of induration
5mm
Immunization with live vaccines can be done if:
- Duration of glucocorticoid us is less than ____ weeks at any dose
- If dose of glucocorticoid is less than ____mg/day of any duration
- Less than ____ mg/kg in patients who weigh less than ___
- Long term alternate day treatment with____ acting preparation is used
- 2 weeks
- 20 mg/ day
- 2mg/kg, 10kg
- Short
Immunization with live vaccines should nit ve done for at least ___ after receiving high doses of glucocorticoids ____mg/day for more than ____
1 month
>20mg/day
2 weeks
Testing the HPA axis should be done with an 8am cortisol after tapering to dose less than or equal to physiologic cortisol level
Eg. ___/ day prednisone
_____/day hydrocortisone
<5mg
15 to 20 mg
With HPA axis testing, if
- ___ ug/dl or less, continue glucocorticoids therapy and rechecking of serum cortisol every ____ months until levels are higher than ___ug/dl is required
- ___ ug/dl or higher, but ___ ug/dl or less, perform further testing such as
- 5 ug/dl, 3 to 6 months, 10ug/dl
2. 5ug/dl, 20ug/dl, corticotropin releasing hormone stimulation test
Most complications are associated with higher doses, longer duration except for(3)
- Osteoporosis &; cataracts, alternate day dosing
2. Avascular necrosis, short courses
Even low doses if prednisone (___ mg/day) adversely affect bone and increase vertebral and hip fractures
2.5 mg/day
Osteoporosis occurs in ___% of individuals treated with long term systemic glucocorticoids
40%
Bone loss occurs more rapidly in the first few months of life
True or False
True
Any patient anticipated to be on glucocorticoid therapy for ___ months or longer should receive
3 mos
- Vit D 800 IU
- Ca 1200 mg/ day
The ff should be evaluated with DEXA for initiation of bisphosphonates
- Patients anticipated to be on prednisone 5mg or more for 3 months
- All ptients at high risk for osteoporosis
Rare side effects of bisphosphonates
Osteonecrosis of jaw
Atypical femoral fractures