Corticosteriods

Question 1

Corticosteroids

Answer 1

Natural hormones that occur within the body

produced in the adrenal cortex

Question 2

Mineralocorticosteroids

Answer 2

These effect the mineral balance

Question 3

Mineralocorticosteroids - examples

Answer 3

Aldosterone -
Reduced in enaimls with Addison’s (HYPOadrenocorticsm)

Flurocortison acetate (florinef)

• treats addidson’s
• unavailable for veterinary

Desoxycortane (Zycortal)
Prolonged release suspension injection for dogs with Addison’s

Question 4

Glucocorticoids inhbit _______ ______, and toxic and ______ ______ damage. Useful in allergic reactions.

Glucocorticoides oppose _____ action and stimulate _______ resulting in an ______ glucose output

Answer 4

Inflammatory process
Immune mediated

Insulin
Gluconeogenesis
Increased

Question 5

Classification of steroids

Answer 5

All corticosteroids have both mineralocorticoidand glucocorticoid effects, classified as to which effect is more dominant.

Question 6

Steroids - function

Answer 6

Stimulate protein catabolism

facilitates general sympathetic stress

Inhibits white blood cells and slows lymphocytes when given in high doses

Inhibits synthasis and release of histamine, kinius and prostoglandin. - responsible for inflammatory responses

Slows wound healing and reduces scar tissue.

Stablises lysosomes in cells to stop (normal) cell death

Question 7

Glucocorticoids - uses

Answer 7

Anti-inflammatory drugs

• allergic reactions
• Auto-immune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Chron’s disease)
• Immune supression (organ transplants or chemotherapy)

Question 8

Glucocorticoids - side effects

Answer 8

Muscle atrophy - uses proteins
Slow healing of wounds 
GI bleeding and ulcerations - increased acid
Hyperglycaemia 
Iatrogenic Cushings Disease (Caused by humans) 
Addison's Disease 
Increased susceptibility to infections - decreased white blood cells 
Osteoporosis
Polyuria and polydipsia 
Behavioural changes 
Electrolyte imbalance 
Laminitis in horses 
Polyphagia 
Lethargy

Question 9

Short acting Glucocorticoid drugs

Answer 9

Less than 12 hours

- hydrocortisone

Question 10

Intermediate acting Glucocorticoid drugs

Answer 10

12 - 36 hours

- Prednisolone

Question 11

Long acting Glucocorticoid drugs

Answer 11

Longer than 48 hours

-Dexamethasone

Question 12

Glucocorticoid drugs - Aqueous solutions

Answer 12

Large doses can be given intravenously with this preparation.
Often used to treat acute CNS trauma as they have rapid onset of action

Question 13

Glucocorticoid drugs - Alcohol solutions

Answer 13

Licensed for intramuscular or subcutanoues routes as can given adverse reaction when administered intravenously.

Question 14

Glucocorticoid drugs - suspensions

Answer 14

NEVER to be administered intravenously.

Long duration of action, slow released because the drug particles dissolve over a few days

Question 15

Administration times

Answer 15

Dogs - morning
Cats - evenings

mimic the natural peak activity times

Question 16

Iatrogenic Cushings

Answer 16

A state of hyperadrenosorticism (cushings diease) which is produced by the other use of glucocorticoids

symptoms

• hair loss
• thin skin
• polydipsia / polyuria
• polyphagia
• slow wound healing

Question 17

Addisonian Crisis

Answer 17

Can occur when long term glucocorticoid treatment stops suddenly.

Animals on steroids will suffer from adrenal cortex atrophy and its ability to produce its own glucocorticoids is reduced.

symptoms

• weakness
• lethargy
• vomiting
• diarrhorea
• death