title: Glucocorticoid therapy. Pharmacology, indications, and complications.
abstract: Glucocorticoids are one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medication in veterinary medicine, with numerous applications ranging from physiologic replacement therapy to immunosuppression. Due to the presence of glucocorticoid receptors in almost all cells, both the desired and undesired effects of glucocorticoid therapy are manifold. This article discusses the physiologic alterations possible with glucocorticoid therapy, glucocorticoid pharmacology, nonendocrine indications, and different therapeutic strategies. The adverse reactions potentially associated with glucocorticoid therapy also are examined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Alabama, USA.
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Behrend
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Kemppainen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002415:Cats; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids