What Are Systemic Steroids?
Systemic steroids mimic the anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol.
Types of Systemic Steroids
Systemic steroids are also called glucocorticoids or cortisones.
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They include:
Prednisone is the most commonly prescribed oral steroid.
They’re typically given only three to four times a year.
Systemic Steroid Side Effects
Steroids can cause different side effects depending on how long they are used.
Most effects resolve within a few days after stopping the medication.
For example, your blood sugar levels can increase if you have key in 2 diabetes.
Similarly, yourblood pressure can become elevatedif you already have high blood pressure.
And if you haveglaucoma, taking steroids might increase your eye pressure.
it’s possible for you to also retain water if you havecongestive heart failure.
Reports of facial flushing tend to happen more in people assigned female at birth.
For this reason, healthcare providers tend to prescribe the lowest dose for the shortest period of time.
Your blood pressure, weight, and blood sugar levels will be checked regularly.
Sometimes abisphosphonatedrug such as Fosamax (alendronate) or ibandronate is prescribed toprevent osteoporosis.
In some cases, prevention is the best way to avoid complications from a corticosteroid shot.
In patients with multiple sclerosis who cannot tolerate steroids, injections of the protein corticotropin may be used.
They are taken orally for these conditions.
They can also be given via an injection for acute back pain and tendinitis.
Oral corticosteroids may be given for short or long periods of time, depending on the situation.
It is common to experience side effects from these medications.
Side effects that may occur with short-term use are typically less severe than those that occur with long-term use.
A Word From Verywell
Systemic steroids can be very effective in controlling symptoms.
They can suggest ways to minimize the effects or perhaps even switch to a different drug.
Different people also process steroids differently.
Steroids taken long-term will take more time to clear from your system.
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