A complete guide provided by Susie Massara

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Corticosteroids

• A complete guide provided by Susie Massara

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Name of Drug Corticosteroids
Street Name
Steroids
Cortan, Deltasone Liquid Pred Meticorten,
Orasone
Brand Name
Glucocorticoids
Chemical Name
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What does it do?
Corticosteroids act on the Immune system
By blocking production of substances
Also impede production of white blood cells!
That trigger allergic
And inflammatory actions
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A cure for Arthritis?
I thought it was going to work! Darn!

• The drug was given daily to patients with
  rheumatoid arthritis in 1948.
• Outcome was said to be the new cure for the
  disease.
• However, the overuse of the drug showed numerous
  side effects called, scare-oids.

Hahahaha!
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Medically Speaking
Corticosteroids are known to treat the following
conditions
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile Arthritis
Scleroderma
Lupus
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How does it get into your body?

• Orally
• Injected into vein or muscle
• Applied to skin
• Injected directly into inflamed joints

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Schedule Rating

• Corticosteroids are falsely characterized with
  the drug Anabolic Steroid (schedule rating III),
  which triggers testosterone.
• Corticosteroids have a schedule rating of II.
• Sold over-the-counter.

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Physiological Effects

• Muscle Weakness
• Swollen puffy face
• Stomach Irritation
• Water Retention/Swelling

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Psychological Effects

• Nervousness/Restlessness
• Having difficulty sleeping
• Sudden mood swings

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Possible Side Effects

• Increased appetite/weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Easy bruising
• Acne
• High blood pressure

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Bibliography

• Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases. What You
  Need To Know About Corticosteroids. The
  Cleveland Clinic. October 27, 2006.
• http//www.clevelandclinic.org/arthritis/treat/fa
  cts/steroids.htm .
• Corticosteroids. Wikipedia The Free
  Encyclopedia. October 11, 2007.
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corticosteroid .
• Corticosteroids. 2006.
• http//www.vitacost.com/Healthnotes/Drug/Corticos
  teroids.aspx .
• Topical Corticosteroids. 1998-2007.
• http//www.netdoctor.co.uk/skin_hair/eczema_corti
  costeroids_003762.htm
• Prednisone and other corticosteroids Balance
  the risks and benefits. June 7, 2006. Mayo
  Clinic Staff.
• http//www.mayoclinic.com/health/steroids/HQ01431
  .