Drugs A to Z

Fine blood vessels may swell and become prominent under the skin surface (telangiectasia), again a permanent change. Probably the most well known is thinning of the skin (atrophy), which anabolic-superstore sometimes results in permanent stretch marks (striae). As a general rule the lowest strength preparation that is effective should be used, as this minimises the risk of side-effects.

• Very potent steroids should only be used for short periods of time, for example to bring flare-ups under control, whereas milder ones can be used for longer.
• Catching chickenpox can cause you to become really unwell if you’re taking steroids.
• You might be given a small dose, known as a maintenance dose, for a long time to make sure your symptoms don’t return.
• The benefits of steroids in twin and triplet pregnancies are less certain, but it is still recommended that should be offered steroids if you are likely to give birth early.

Close monitoring of the INR or prothrombin time is required to avoid spontaneous bleeding. Treatment of elderly patients, particularly if long-term, should be planned bearing in mind the more serious consequences of the common side-effects of corticosteroids in old age (see section 4.4). • Patients receiving doses of systemic corticosteroid greater than 40mg daily of prednisolone (or equivalent).

Is there anything else I need to know about this medicine?

Supply or production carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine. Please note that not all controlled substances are listed in this table – a comprehensive list is available from the Home Office. Trafficking offences refer to all supply offences including conspiracy or attempt to supply; production offences and offences involving importation and exportation.

• Keeping the card with you will help any other doctor who treats you to manage your care correctly.
• It can help to change a few things about when and where you sleep.
• This type of relative insufficiency may persist for months after discontinuation of therapy; therefore, in any situation of stress occurring during that period, hormone therapy should be reinstituted.
• A few products do not have a marketing authorisation (licence) as a medicine and therefore there is no PIL.
• Use of the lowest effective dose may also minimise side-effects (see section 4.4).

If you are worried about gaining weight, talk to your doctor or nurse. Your cancer doctor or nurse can explain the risk of these side effects to you. You may get some of the side effects we mention, but you are unlikely to get all of them. If you are also having treatment with other cancer drugs, you may have some side effects that we have not listed here.

Types of steroids

Most reactions recover after either dose reduction or withdrawal, although specific treatment may be necessary. Patients/carers should be encouraged to seek medical advice if worrying psychological symptoms develop, especially if depressed mood or suicidal ideation is suspected. Unfortunately
side effects are very common with steroid medication. Common serious
side effects include increased risk of infection, diabetes and
osteoporosis.

If you do not have a copy of the manufacturer’s patient information leaflet please talk to your pharmacist. A few products do not have a marketing authorisation (licence) as a medicine and therefore there is no PIL. If you’re planning a family, you should discuss this with your doctor, as it’s important that a mother stays healthy during pregnancy and that flare-ups are avoided.

The highest risk has been reported in patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis. The lowest risk has been reported in patients with limited systemic sclerosis (2%) and juvenile onset systemic sclerosis (1%). The concentration of the steroid in the milk can be between 5 and 25% of those in the serum and the two roughly parallel one another after an oral dose. Mutual inhibition of metabolism may occur between ciclosporin and prednisolone, and may increase the plasma concentration of either drug.

Low levels of potassium in your blood

The benefits of steroids in twin and triplet pregnancies are less certain, but it is still recommended that should be offered steroids if you are likely to give birth early. If you or someone else needs urgent help after taking drugs or drinking, call 999 for an ambulance. Some drugs have different names so search using the name you know.

Meanwhile, there has been a wider appreciation of the “disconnect” between symptoms and objective measures of disease activity in recent years. Prednisolone should not be taken with some medicines that you get on prescription. It is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other medicines your child is taking before starting prednisolone. Your doctor or pharmacist will have told you how much liquid to use, and how much to give to your child.

List of Controlled Drugs

Steroids regulate emotions such as excitement and nervousness. Some people feel happier than usual while others feel low in mood, short-tempered and irritable. Some people feel low or flat for several days to weeks after they stop taking steroids, as it takes a while for your body to begin making its own steroids naturally again.

NSAIDs (see Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

Tell your doctor straight away if you have sudden and severe pain in your tummy (abdomen). Blood clots can develop in the deep veins of your body, usually the leg. A blood clot can be very serious if it travels to your lungs (pulmonary embolism), although this isn’t common.

Please ask your doctor for more information about immunisations. If you’re having an operation, you might need to stop your steroids. Don’t do this without speaking to your doctor or surgeon first though, as in some cases you might be able to carry on taking them, and you may need to have your dose changed before the operation. Sometimes steroids can cause another condition known as Cushing’s syndrome.