my revision: wk 3

Question 1

When would you use glucocorticosteroids?

Answer 1

anti-inflammatory: inflammatory conditions, pruritis conditions, immune mediated conditions

immunosuppressive actions: shock, laminitis, anorexia, adrenal deficiency

allergic conditions: environmental allergy e.g

Question 2

dosage forms

Answer 2

oral (dexamethasone in powder/tablet), injection (dexamethasone in dilution), topical (corticalm solution)

Question 3

potency and duration of action

Answer 3

potency is measured through EC50, the smaller the EC50 the more potent, therefore dose will be smaller

Most potent & longest DOA: Dexamethasone & Betamethasone

In the middle: metholpredisolone, prednisolone, prednisone

Least potent and shortest DOA: hydrocortisone & cortisone

Question 4

other medicines that can be combined with glucocorticosteroids

Answer 4

antibiotics & antifungal

Question 5

SE: Immune system

Answer 5

• polydipsia (thirsty)
• polyphagia (gaining weight)
• thinning of the skin (muscle mass reduced)

Question 6

SE: treatment induced

Answer 6

• over production of the hormone, leading to hyperadrenocorticism e.g cushing’s disease
• deficiency in the hormone leading to hypoadrenocorticism e.g addison’s disease

Question 7

SE: immunosuppression

Answer 7

• leaves animals more prone to infections and more severe

- can worsen infections

Question 8

SE: cardiovascular

Answer 8

• hypertension

Question 9

SE: other random ones

Answer 9

• gastric ulcerations
• affects kidney and liver functioning
• blood system, platelet functioning
• cartilage development

Question 10

how to limit adverse/side effects

Answer 10

• do not use to treat corneal eye ulcers
• alternate day dosing can prevent hypoadrenocorticism
• avoid suddenly stopping therapy (reduce slowly)
• large doses only used in emergencies

Question 11

glucocorticosteroids & a bit of info

Answer 11

1. dexamethasone - MOST POTENT:
   - LONG DOA (2-4 wks), used in large/small animals and used for skin conditions particularly
2. prednisolone - in the middle:
   - very common in small animals, available in all forms, 24-36 hours DOA, can be used for chronic skin conditions
3. methylprednisolone - in the middle:
   - 2-4 weeks DOA, IM administration only, should only be used once/twice in a year, used for chronic skin conditions and hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal suppression
4. Neotopic-H
   - example of a combined formulation (glucocortisteroid & antibiotic), topical cream

Question 12

glucocorticosteroids used for eyes & ears (e.g otitis)

Answer 12

eyes:

• prednisolone
• dexamethasone
• betamethasone

ears:
- combined treatment of glucocorticosteroid and antibiotic e.g neotopic-H

Question 13

when should the drug not be used

Answer 13

• fungal/bacterial/viral infections
• diabetes
• liver disease

DO NOT USE WITH NSAIDS

Question 14

monitoring

Answer 14

after the use of this drug, animals should have a 6 months follow up: check water intake, urination, body weight, coat

then 12 months follow up for urine analysis, biochemistry