title: Corticosteroids and adrenal suppression. Characterising and avoiding the problem.
abstract: Glucocorticoids are used for a variety of illnesses. One of their major complications is suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, rendering a patient unable to respond to stress. The risk of this suppression may be minimised by the use of short-acting glucocorticoid preparations, administration of the entire daily dose in the early morning, use of topical and intra-articular preparations where appropriate, and the use of alternate-day therapy where appropriate. Most importantly, glucocorticoids should be used cautiously when indicated, and the duration of therapy limited as much as possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Hahnemann University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Helfer
authors.forename: L I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones