CORTICOSTEROIDS (GLUCOCORTICOIDS, "STEROIDS")

Augmented betamethasone

Diprolene — Corticosteroid (topical)

Augmented betamethasone PO/Function/Common Use

DERM — Reduces inflammation/immune response of skin — Autoimmune diseases (eczema, psoriasis); inflammatory skin rash

Augmented betamethasone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Adrenal suppression (chronic use) — Long-term: easy bruising, telangiectasia, skin atrophy/thinning — Use < 2 weeks only; wash hands after use

Clobetasol

Clobex, Olux, Temovate — Corticosteroid (topical)

Clobetasol PO/Function/Common Use

DERM — Reduces inflammation/immune response of skin — Autoimmune diseases (eczema, psoriasis); inflammatory skin rash

Clobetasol Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Adrenal suppression (chronic use) — Long-term: easy bruising, telangiectasia, skin atrophy/thinning — Use < 2 weeks only; wash hands after use

Desonide

DesOwn, Desonate, Verdso — Corticosteroid (topical)

Desonide PO/Function/Common Use

DERM — Reduces inflammation/immune response of skin — Autoimmune diseases (eczema, psoriasis); inflammatory skin rash

Desonide Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

— Long-term: easy bruising, telangiectasia, skin atrophy/thinning — Wash hands after use

Fluocinonide

Lidex, Vanos — Corticosteroid (topical)

Fluocinonide PO/Function/Common Use

DERM — Reduces inflammation/immune response of skin — Autoimmune diseases (eczema, psoriasis); inflammatory skin rash

Fluocinonide Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

— Long-term: easy bruising, telangiectasia, skin atrophy/thinning — Wash hands after use

Hydrocortisone

Westcort, Locoid (OTC) — Corticosteroid (topical)

Hydrocortisone PO/Function/Common Use

DERM — Reduces inflammation/immune response of skin — Autoimmune diseases (eczema, psoriasis); inflammatory skin rash

Hydrocortisone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

— Long-term: easy bruising, telangiectasia, skin atrophy/thinning — Wash hands after use

Mometasone

Elocon (DERM) — Corticosteroid (topical)

Mometasone PO/Function/Common Use

DERM — Reduces inflammation/immune response of skin — Autoimmune diseases (eczema, psoriasis); inflammatory skin rash

Mometasone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

— Long-term: easy bruising, telangiectasia, skin atrophy/thinning — Wash hands after use

Triamcinolone

Kenalog — Corticosteroid (topical)

Triamcinolone PO/Function/Common Use

DERM — Reduces inflammation/immune response of skin — Autoimmune diseases (eczema, psoriasis); inflammatory skin rash

Triamcinolone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

— Long-term: easy bruising, telangiectasia, skin atrophy/thinning — Commonly used; wash hands after use

Beclomethasone

Qvar Redihaler — Corticosteroid (inhalation)

Beclomethasone PO/Function/Common Use

INHALE — Reduces inflammation/immune response of respiratory tract — Asthma, COPD

Beclomethasone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Infections (lung, mouth) — Generally well-tolerated — Check patient's inhaler technique; rinse mouth after use

Mometasone

Nasonex, Asmanex (inhaler) — Corticosteroid (inhalation)

Mometasone PO/Function/Common Use

INHALE — Reduces inflammation/immune response of respiratory tract — Asthma, COPD

Mometasone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Infections (lung, mouth) — Generally well-tolerated — Check patient's inhaler technique; rinse mouth after use

Loteprednol

Lotemax, Alrex, Inveltys — Corticosteroid (ophthalmic)

Loteprednol PO/Function/Common Use

OPTH — Reduces inflammation/immune response of the eyes — Inflammatory ophthalmic conditions

Loteprednol Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

— Pruritus, burning, stinging; blurred vision, watery eyes, light sensitivity — Check patient's application technique

Prednisolone

Orapred, Millipred — Corticosteroid

Prednisolone PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Reduces inflammation/immune response internally over multiple organs — Short-term, serious inflammatory or allergic conditions

Prednisolone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Hyperglycemia, infection — Stomach ulcer, mood changes, insomnia, osteoporosis, Cushing's disease — Take with food if PO

Prednisone

Deltasone, Rayos — Corticosteroid

Prednisone PO/Function/Common Use

PO — Reduces inflammation/immune response internally over multiple organs — Short-term, serious inflammatory or allergic conditions; chronic inflammatory conditions

Prednisone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Hyperglycemia, infection — Stomach ulcer, mood changes, insomnia, osteoporosis, Cushing's disease — Take with food if PO

Dexamethasone

Decadron — Corticosteroid

Dexamethasone PO/Function/Common Use

PO, IV — Reduces inflammation/immune response internally over multiple organs — Short-term, serious inflammatory or allergic conditions

Dexamethasone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Hyperglycemia, infection — Stomach ulcer, mood changes, insomnia, osteoporosis, Cushing's disease — Take with food if PO; consider PPI or H2 blocker for IV

Methylprednisolone

Medrol — Corticosteroid

Methylprednisolone PO/Function/Common Use

PO, IV — Reduces inflammation/immune response internally over multiple organs — Short-term, serious inflammatory or allergic conditions

Methylprednisolone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Hyperglycemia, infection — Stomach ulcer, mood changes, insomnia, osteoporosis, Cushing's disease — Take with food if PO; consider PPI or H2 blocker for IV

Hydrocortisone

Cortef (oral/IV) — Corticosteroid (oral/IV)

Hydrocortisone PO/Function/Common Use

PO, IV — Cortisol hormone replacement; reduces inflammation/immune response — Adrenal insufficiency (e.g., Addison's disease)

Hydrocortisone Adverse Drug Reactions/Special Considerations

Hyperglycemia, infection — Stomach ulcer, mood changes, insomnia, osteoporosis, Cushing's disease — Take with food if PO; consider PPI or H2 blocker for IV