Corticosteroids are drugs that contain steroid hormones that are useful for increasing steroid hormones in the body when needed, and reducing inflammation or inflammation, as well as suppressing the work of the immune system that is excessive.
Corticosteroids, such as cortisone or hydrocortisone, It is produced naturally in the outermost part of the adrenal gland or cortex. Meanwhile, corticosteroids in the form of drugs are called synthetic corticosteroids with the same work and benefits as natural corticosteroids.
Examples of synthetic corticosteroids are:
- Betamethasone
- Dexamethasone
- Methylprednisolone
- Fluocinolone
- Prednisone
- Clocortolone
- Prednisolone
- Triamcinolone
- Desoximetasone
The following are some of the uses of corticosteroids in treating conditions such as:
- Asthma
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bronchitis
- Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
- Allergic reactions to the skin, eyes, or nose.
This drug works by getting into the walls of the immune cell system to turn off substances that can release compounds that trigger inflammation. Corticosteroids can also be used as a medicine for acne injections.
Warning:
- Pregnant women, nursing mothers, or women who are planning to become pregnant, are advised to consult a doctor before using corticosteroid drugs.
- Please be careful when using corticosteroids if you suffer from heart disease, impaired liver function, gastric or duodenal ulcers, mental health disorders, bone loss or osteoporosis, cataracts, diabetes, epilepsy, or have skin disorders such as infections. skin, acne, open wounds, to rosacea.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbs, because you are afraid they may cause unwanted drug interactions. Talk to your doctor about taking corticosteroids together with the following medicines: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs (such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, or naproxen), vaccines (such as MMR, BCG), digoxin, diuretics, warfarin, salbutamol, and drugs for diabetes, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS drugs.
- If it has been used for a long time, the drug should not be stopped suddenly. Consult again with the doctor to stop the drug gradually.
- If an allergic reaction or overdose occurs, see a doctor immediately.
Corticosteroid Side Effects
Side effects usually occur with long-term use of corticosteroids, which is more than 2-3 months. A number of side effects that can be caused after using corticosteroid drugs are:
- Accumulation of fat on the cheeks (moon face)
- Vulnerable to infection
- Increased blood pressure or hypertension
- Increased blood sugar levels
- Accelerate the onset of cataracts
- Ulcers (ulcers) in the stomach or duodenum
- skin problems
- Weakening of muscle function
- Change mood and behavior.
Types, Trademarks, and Dosage of Corticosteroids
The following are the types of drugs that belong to the class of corticosteroids. For a detailed explanation of the side effects, warnings, or interactions of each corticosteroid drug, please refer to Drugs A-Z.
Betamethasone
Trademarks: Betam-opthal, Betamethasone Valerate, Beprosone, Canedrylskin, Celestik, Diprosone OV, Hufabethamin, Meclovel Nilacelin, Ocuson.
Condition: Inflammation or allergies
- Tablets and syrup (oral)
Mature: The dose of betamethasone is 0.5-5 mg per day divided into several doses, depending on the severity of the disease and the patient's response to the drug.
Children:Children aged 1-6 years: 25% of the adult dose.
Children aged 7-11 years: 50% of the adult dose.
Children 12 years of age or older: 75% of the adult dose.
- Injectables
Mature: 4-20 mg per day.
Children:Children aged 1 year or less: 1 mg 3-4 times per 24 hours or as needed.
Children aged 2-5 years: 2 mg 3-4 times per 24 hours or as needed.
Children aged 6-12 years: 4 mg 3-4 times per 24 hours or as needed.
Condition: Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tablets and syrup (oral)
Mature: 0.5-2 mg per day.
Condition: Skin inflammation
- Creams, ointments, and gels (topical)
Mature: Betamethasone is available in concentrations of 0.025%, 0.05%, or 0.1%. Giving at each concentration will be adjusted to the patient's condition. Apply betamethasone 1-3 times per day for 2-4 weeks or until condition improves.
Condition: Psoriasis
- Creams, ointments, and gels (topical)
Mature: Betamethasone 0.05% is applied sparingly, 2 times a day, for 4 weeks.
Condition: Allergies and inflammation of the eyes
- eye drops
Mature: The initial dose is 1-2 drops in the inflamed eye every two hours, then the frequency of eye drops will be reduced if the eye condition has gradually improved.
Dexamethasone
Dexamethasone trademarks: Alletrol Compositum, Dexamethasone, Dexaharsen, Dextamine, Etadexta, Kalmethasone, Mexon, Oradexon, Tobroson.
Condition: Inflammation
- Tablets and Syrup
Mature: 0.75-9 mg per day divided into 2-4 times of administration.
Children (from 1 month old): 10-100 mcg/kgBW per day divided into 1-2 times depending on the patient's response to the drug. The maximum dose is 300 mcg/kg body weight per day.
Condition: Eye inflammation
- Eye drops, eye ointment
Mature: The 0.1% solution is instilled 1-2 times in the inflamed eye 4-6 times per day or per hour if the condition is severe. For 0.05% eye ointment, take an appropriate amount of the ointment about the size of your fingertips and apply it to the folds under your eyes up to four times a day. The dose can be reduced if the condition has improved.
Condition: Joint inflammation
- Injectable liquid
Mature: 0.8-4 mg depending on the size of the inflamed joint area. Then, for soft tissue injections of 2-6 mg and can be repeated every 3 days - 3 weeks.
Methylprednisolone
Methylprednisolone trademarks: Advantan, Intidrol Medixon, Methylgen 8, Methylprednisolone, Medrol, Nichomedson, Ometilson 8, Rhemafar, Solumedrol, Somerol, Stenirol-8.
Condition: Allergy
- Tablet
Mature: 24 mg on day 1, 20 mg on day 2, 16 mg on day 3, 12 mg on day 4, 8 mg on day 5, and 4 mg on day 6.
Condition: Treats inflammation or as an immunosuppressive drug
- Tablet
Mature: 2-60 mg per day divided 1-4 times the dose depending on the disease being treated.
Children: 0.5-1.7 mg/kg body weight per day.
- Injection powder
Mature: 10-500 mg per day via intravenous injection.
Children: 0.5-1.7 mg/kgBW per day via intravenous injection.
Condition: Skin inflammation
- Cream
Mature: The dose of 0.1% methylprednisolone cream is to take an appropriate amount with the fingertips and then apply 1 time on the skin to be treated, for a maximum of 12 weeks.
Children: The dose of 0.1% methylprednisolone cream is to take an adequate amount of cream with your fingertips and then apply it 1 time on the skin you want to treat, for a maximum of 4 weeks.
Prednisone
Prednisone trademarks: Eltazone, Etacortin, Ifison, Inflason, Lexacort, Pehacort, Prednisone, Remacort, Trifacort.
Condition:Allergy
- Tablet
Mature: 30 mg on the 1st day of treatment, then continued with 5 mg on the next day until the 21st tablet.
Condition: Rheumatoid arthritis
- TabletMature: Up to 10 mg per day depending on the severity of the disease.
Condition: Asthma
- Tablet
Mature: 40-60 mg daily, divided into 1-2 times for three or more days.
Newborns to 11 year olds: 1-2 mg/kg body weight per day for 3 days or more. The maximum dose is 60 mg per day.
Prednisolone
Prednisolone trademarks: Borraginol-S, Cendo Cetapred, Chloramfecort-H, CP Cream, Colipred, Chlorfesone, Lupred 5, P-Pred, Predxol.
Conditions: Allergies, inflammation, autoimmune diseases
- Tablet
Mature: 5-60 mg per day divided into 2-4 times. The maintenance dose is 2.5-15 mg per day.
Children (from 1 month of age): The initial dose is 1-2 mg/kg, once per day. The dose can be decreased gradually over a few days if needed. The maximum dose is 60 mg per day.
Condition: Rheumatoid arthritis
- Tablet
Mature: The initial dose is 5-7.5 mg per day according to need.
seniors: 5 mg per day.
- Ointment cream
Mature: Take an appropriate amount with fingertips, then apply evenly to the area to be treated.
Condition: Conjunctivitis
- eye drops
Mature: Available in 0.12% or 1% solution, 1-2 drops in the inflamed eye, 2-4 times per day. Hatch frequency can be done quite often in the first 24-48 hours, if needed. If after two days, the condition has not improved, see a doctor immediately.
Triamcinolone
Triamcinolone trademarks: Cincort, Flamicort, Kenalog In Orabase, Sinocort, Triamcinolone, Tremacort, Triacilon, Trilac. Ask your doctor about the use and dosage of triamcinolone tablets
Condition: Sores in the mouth
- Pasta
Dose: For smaller cuts, apply less than 1 cm of paste to the affected area without rubbing it, until it forms a thin layer. Use in moderation after meals and before going to bed at night. See a doctor if the wound does not heal after 7 days of use.
Condition: Inflammation of the skin
- Creams and ointments
Dose: Take an appropriate amount of cream with your fingertips, then apply 2-4 times a day on the inflamed area.
- Injectable liquid
Dose: 1-3 mg directly on inflamed skin, a maximum of 30 mg for a number of injection areas
Condition: Allergic rhinitis
- nasal spray
Mature: 2 sprays per day (110 micrograms) for each nostril. The dose is reduced to 1 spray per day (55 micrograms) for each nostril.
Children aged 2-12 years: One spray per day for each nostril. The dose can be increased to 2 sprays per day for each nose if symptoms get worse.