Glucocorticoids

Question 1

Glucocorticoids

Drug Names

Answer 1

Betamethasone
Budesonide
Cortisone
Dexamethasone
Hydrocortisone
Methylprednisolone
Prednisolone
Prednisone

Question 2

Indications

Answer 2

Short-term treatment of many inflammatory disorders
To relieve discomfort
To give the body a chance to heal from the effect of inflammation

Question 3

Actions

Answer 3

Enter target cells and bind to cytoplasmic receptors
Initiate many complex reactions responsible for ant-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects
Hydrocortisone, cortisone, and prednisone have some mineralocorticoid activity

Question 4

Contraindications

Answer 4

Known allergy
Acute infection
Lactation

Question 5

Adverse Effects

Answer 5

HA, insomnia, psychosis, GI upset, HF, fluid retention, increased blood glucose, osteoporosis, frail skin, growth retardation (children), diabetes, Cushing syndrome, impaired wound healing, aggravating or masking infections

Question 6

Drug-Drug Interactions

Answer 6

Increase in drug when given with erythromycin, ketoconazole, or troleandomycin
Decrease in drug when given with salicylates, barbiturates, phenytoin, or rifampin