Systemic Steroids/Autoimmune Flashcards
1
Q
Mineralcorticoid Activity
A
- Ex: fludrocortisone (mimics aldosterone)
- Used to maintain water/electrolyte balance
- Used for Addison’s disease and off-label for orthostatic hypotension (helps stabilize BP)
2
Q
Glucocorticoid Activity
A
- Ex: prednisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone
- More anti-inflammatory activity
- Mimics the activity of cortisol
- Especially when used long term, can cause HPA suppression which causes body to stop making its own cortisol
3
Q
Cushing’s Syndrome
A
- Too much cortisol or too high of exogenous steroid doses
- Glaucoma, acne, moon face, hirsutism, infection/impaired healing, poor bone health, GI bleed
- Stop steroids abruptly: “Addisonian crisis;” volume depletion, hypotension, potentially fatal
4
Q
Addison’s Disease
A
- Opposite of Cushing’s
- Not enough cortisol being made or sudden stop of long-term steroid (HPA suppression)
5
Q
Steroid Dose Equivalence
A
- Cortisone: 25 mg (SA) - prodrug of cortisol
- Hydrocortisone: 20 mg (SA)
- Prednisone: 5 mg (IA)
- Prednisolone: 5 mg (IA)
- Methylprednisolone: 4 mg (IA)
- Triamcinolone: 4 mg (IA)
- Dexamethasone: 0.75 mg (LA)
- Betamethasone: 0.6 mg (LA)
6
Q
DexPak/Decadron
A
Dexamethasone
7
Q
Solu-Cortef
A
Hydrocortisone
8
Q
Medrol/Solu-Medrol
A
Methylprednisolone
-Available as PO dose pack and injection
9
Q
Deltasone
A
Prednisone
-Prodrug of prednisolone
10
Q
Millipred/Orapred ODT
A
Prednisolone
11
Q
Kenalog
A
Triamcinolone
12
Q
Steroid Information
A
- Take PO doses with food to decrease GI upset
- Warning: Adrenal suppression if taken longer than 14 days (taper slowly)
- SE (short-term): increased appetite/weight gain, emotional instability, insomnia
13
Q
Immunosuppressed Criteria
A
-Using >= 2mg/kg/d of steroids
OR
-Using >= 20 mg/d of prednisone or equivalent for >2 weeks
Avoid live vaccines and taper when D/C
14
Q
Autoimmune Lab Markers/Sxs
A
- Sxs: fatigue, weakness, pain
- Labs: ESR, CRP, RF, ANA
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: ACPA and RF
15
Q
Strong Immunosuppression Risks
A
- Tuberculosis, Hep B, or C reactivation (test and treat prior to immunosuppressing)
- Viruses (give live vaccine before treatment if available)
- Lymphomas and skin cancers
- Infections