Corticosteroid Myths

Corticosteroid myths

The use of corticosteroids such as dexamethasone in the treatment of patients with COVID-19, has revived interest in the use of this type of drugs, which have been demonized for years due to the adverse effects that may occur due to prolonged use.

To begin with, we must remember that glucocorticoids are hormones naturally produced by adrenal glands and are essential to regulate metabolic, homeostatic and immunological functions. When corticosteroids are administered exogenously in high doses, these inhibit inflammatory water.

However, prolonged use of corticosteroids generates important side effects, such as: glaucoma, increased blood sugar level, arterial hypertension, increase and redistribution of body fat, skin thinning, osteoporosis, hirsutism and predisposition to contract infections bacterial and móptic.

It is precisely because of these effects that its therapeutic use is restricted to short periods of time and that its only mention as a possible treatment, generates anguish in patients. However, corticosteroids save many lives, so it is important that as health professionals we dismantle the most common myths related to corticosteroids

Topical corticosteroids

They are used in the treatment of psoriasis, eccema, allergies and atopic dermatitis. They are classified according to their power in 4 classes that go from low to very high. Among the most common myths are:

The use of topical corticosteroids causes cushing syndrome: systemic penetration usually does not exceed 1% when applied in skin, although the pharmaceutical form and the application zone must also be taken into account.

Topical corticosteroids do not generate side effects: another false belief, although it is not usual to generate systemic effects; They can lose the skin and cause injuries.

Inhaled corticosteroids

They are the treatment of asthma and epoc choice when other drugs fail. In asthma treatment they are used in high doses at first, and then they are reduced to maintenance dose. Among the common myths we have:

• Corticosteroids are the last resort: in fact, it is shown that their use is safe in the treatment of mild or moderate chronic asthma, in low doses.

• Corticosteroids are addictive and generate tolerance: the reality is that if the dose of the drug is necessary to constantly increase, it is because treatment is not effective and requires changing.

Oral corticosteroids

They are the ones with the greatest systemic effects, since they are usually used prolonged in the treatment of chronic pathologies. It is usually believed that:

• Corticosteroid treatment can be abandoned at any time: the long -term use of corticosteroids, suppresses the natural production of hormone in our body, therefore the treatment should be left gradually.

• There are no allergic people to corticosteroids: although its action is usually antiallergic, some types may cause some type of immune reaction, so its use must be suspended.

Injectable corticosteroids

They are usually reserved for emergency situations or to treat skeletal muscle pains in a timely manner. In general, its use does not awake.