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A glucocorticoid is a steroid hormone or medicine that affects inflammation, immune activity, metabolism, and the body's response to stress. Cortisol is a natural glucocorticoid made by the adrenal glands. Medicines such as prednisone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone mimic some of cortisol's effects. They are prescribed for many inflammatory, allergic, autoimmune, and hormone-related conditions.
read more about glucocorticoid ...Glucocorticoids are used to reduce inflammation and suppress excessive immune responses. They can treat conditions such as asthma, severe allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, lupus, and certain skin disorders. Some are used to replace cortisol in people with adrenal insufficiency. Glucocorticoids can also be part of treatment for selected cancers, brain swelling, organ transplantation, and other serious conditions.
Glucocorticoids enter cells and bind to glucocorticoid receptors, which influence the activity of many genes. This process reduces the production of inflammatory chemicals and changes how immune cells respond. Their effects can decrease swelling, redness, pain, and tissue damage caused by inflammation. The same broad actions can also affect blood sugar, bones, muscles, mood, and infection resistance.
Glucocorticoids are available as tablets, injections, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye drops, creams, and other forms. The route depends on the condition and whether treatment needs to act locally or throughout the body. Clinicians usually use the lowest effective dose for the shortest suitable period. People taking systemic glucocorticoids for more than a brief period can need a gradual dose reduction rather than stopping suddenly.
Short-term effects can include increased appetite, mood changes, trouble sleeping, fluid retention, and higher blood sugar. Higher doses or longer treatment can raise the risk of infections, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cataracts, glaucoma, adrenal suppression, and changes in body fat distribution. Some glucocorticoids can interact with vaccines and other medicines. Patients should follow monitoring instructions and report fever, vision changes, severe mood symptoms, black stools, or other concerning reactions.
Glucocorticoids are one type of corticosteroid. The word steroid also includes other substances, such as mineralocorticoids, sex hormones, and anabolic steroids, so the terms are not always interchangeable.
Long-term or high-dose systemic glucocorticoids should not usually be stopped suddenly because the body can reduce its own cortisol production during treatment. A clinician can provide a tapering schedule when one is needed.
Glucocorticoids can suppress immune activity, especially at higher doses or with prolonged use. This can help control autoimmune disease but can also increase susceptibility to certain infections.
Inhaled glucocorticoids usually produce less whole-body exposure than systemic tablets, but they can still cause side effects. Common local effects include hoarseness and oral thrush, which can be reduced by following inhaler and mouth-rinsing instructions.
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