The utility of parenteral glucocorticoids in the emergency department.
Exogenous glucocorticoids have wide clinical applicability in emergency medicine. Many uses reported for this class of drugs are supported by only anecdotal evidence of efficacy, while others have been proven or disproven by well-designed studies; this evidence is evaluated here. Because adverse effects are relatively common and may be serious after initiation of steroid therapy in the emergency department, it is important for the emergency physician to review systematically the indications, contraindications, and precautions for the use of parenteral glucocorticoids.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Maricopa Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85010.
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Hoang
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Pollack
D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D004620:Embolism, Fat / Q000188:drug therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy; D016720:Pneumocystis Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
D005938:Glucocorticoids