Steroids
Steroids (also called corticosteroids) are medicines used to treat conditions that cause swelling (inflammation) in the body. Most steroids must be prescribed, but some can be bought from pharmacies and shops.
Steroids are an artificial version of hormones your body usually makes by itself.
They help reduce redness and swelling (inflammation) and stop the body’s immune system attacking itself.
They can be used to help treat conditions such as:
- Asthma
- Allergies, including hay fever and allergic rhinitis
- Conjunctivitis
- Eczema
- Rappy rash
- Piles (haemorrhoids)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Cancer
There are many different types of steroids that come in different forms, such as tablets or inhalers.
The type of steroid you have depends on the condition being treated.
| Type | Medicine name |
|---|---|
Steroid tablets, capsules, granules and liquid |
|
Steroid inhalers |
|
Steroid nasal sprays and drops |
|
Steroid injections |
|
Steroid creams, lotions, gels, rectal foam, enemas and ointments |
|
Steroid eye and ear drops or ointment |
|
Steroids often do not cause side effects if they’re taken for a short time or at a low dose.
The side effects you may have depend on:
- the type of steroid you’re taking
- how strong the dose of steroids is
- how long you take the steroids for
Any side effects will usually stop when you finish your treatment.
Possible serious side effects of steroids
If you take a high dose, or are on steroids for a longer time, you may have a higher chance of getting more serious side effects.
These can include:
- slowed growth (in children and teenagers)
- weakening of the bones (osteoporosis)
- getting more infections
- changes in your mood, such as depression and anxiety
- too much of the hormone cortisol in your body (Cushing’s syndrome)
- high blood sugar or diabetes
- high blood pressure
- problems with your eyes, such as glaucoma or cataracts
Your doctor will tell you what side effects to expect if you’re taking steroids for a longer time.
They may lower or change your dose if you’re having side effects. They may also recommend taking other medicines to help, such as medicines to help strengthen your bones or prevent indigestion or heartburn.
Most people will not have side effects when they stop taking their steroid medicine.
But it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice if you’ve been:
- taking a steroid medicine for longer than 3 weeks
- given a high dose of a steroid medicine
You’ll usually need to reduce your dose gradually.
Withdrawal symptoms
Stopping taking some steroids suddenly can cause symptoms such as:
- feeling extremely tired
- feeling and being sick
- dizziness
- loss of appetite and losing weight without trying
- joint pain
- redness or changes in skin colour (this may be harder to see on brown and black skin)
- peeling skin, or skin that stings, burns or itches
If you were taking a steroid medicine to help with the symptoms of another condition, these symptoms may also come back suddenly.
References
Steroids, NHS, www.nhs.uk/medicines/steroids/
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