Steroids

1. Examples: Methylprednisolone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, cortisone acetate, triamcinolone, deflazacort

2. Side-effects:

• diabetes
• osteoporosis
• AVN of femoral head
• euphoria + other paranioa; also depression
• proximal myopathy --> muscle wasting
• peptic ulceration
• Cushing's
• suppression of growth in children
• adrenal atrophy (long-term). Important to avoid abrupt after long term use (>3 wks) as: 1) acute adrenal insufficiency; then 2) hypotension; then 3) death!
• Atypical infections
• chickenpox with atypical features (i.e. rash not a feature e.g. pneumonia, hepatitis, DIC)