Steroid SE Flashcards
Prednisolone - SE:
They can have Cushing’s syndrome. What appearance do they have?
Mneunomic CUSHINGOID
Moon face and striae - look in endocrine
C – Cataracts/glaucoma U – Ulcers S – Striae, Skin thinning H – Hypertension, Hirsutism I – Immunosuppression, Infections N – Necrosis of femoral heads - cause unknown G – Glucose elevation O – Osteoporosis, Obesity I – Impaired wound healing D – Depression/mood changes
Prednisolone - SE:
Why do they cause ulcers?
Why do they get hypertension?
Why do they get immunosuppression and infections?
Why do they get hyperglycaemia?
Why do they osteoporosis?
Why do they cause depression/mood changes?
Both gastric mucus production and gastric bicarbonate secretion are impaired by steroid administration, therefore, more acid - MUST BE TAKEN WITH MEAL
Increased fluid retention - also the reason for weight gain
Steroids work by slowing your body’s response to disease or injury
It makes the liver insulin resistant
Reduce the body’s ability to absorb calcium and increase how fast bone is broken down.
Research suggests that corticosteroids lower serotonin levels in the body, and it is known that lowered serotonin levels can cause depression and other psychiatric disorders. Withdrawal from corticosteroids can also trigger depression.
Prednisolone - SE:
What is the risk of stopping steroids abruptly?
What diseases could it worsen?
Addisonian crisis due to adrenal insufficiency
HTN
Osteoporosis
DM
Prednisolone - SE:
What can be prescribed to reduce the risk of osteoporosis?
Calcium and vit D supplements
Side effects of Steroids use via system:
GI - 4
MSK - 4
Endocrine - 2
Pancreatitis
Candiasis
Oesophageal ulceration
Peptic ulceration
Myopathy
Osteoporosis
Fractures
Growth suppression
Adrenal suppression
Cushing syndrome
Side effects of Steroids use via system:
CNS - 3
Eye - 3
Depression
Aggravated epilepsy
Psychosis
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Papilloedema
