Safe use of glucocorticoids. How to monitor patients taking these potent agents.
Glucocorticoids reduce inflammation and combat stress. However, they are very powerful, and guidelines for their use must be followed to avoid such adverse effects as Cushing's syndrome and adrenal insufficiency. Whenever possible, physicians should consider alternative treatment strategies, because the consequences of steroid therapy may be worse than those of the disease being treated.
Cook
D M
DM
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Clinical Nutrition, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201.
D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects
D005938:Glucocorticoids