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Corticosteroid Medicines

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KEY POINTS

  • Corticosteroid medicines, also called steroids, are used to treat symptoms caused by inflammation such as swelling and irritation.
  • Make sure you know how and when your child needs to take the medicine. Your child should not take more or less than he or she is supposed to take. Your child should not stop taking a corticosteroid medicine without your provider's advice. You may have to lower your child’s dosage slowly before stopping it.
  • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what side effects the medicine may cause, and what you should do if your child has side effects.

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What are corticosteroid medicines used for?

Corticosteroid medicines, also called steroids, are used to treat symptoms caused by inflammation such as swelling and irritation. Some conditions caused by inflammation include:

  • Asthma and other lung diseases
  • Hay fever
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
  • Leukemia
  • Psoriasis
  • Eczema and other allergic conditions
  • Skin rashes

If your child has an organ transplant, such as a kidney or heart, your child may take corticosteroid medicine to prevent rejecting the transplanted organ.

Corticosteroid medicine may be used for only a few days, or they may be used for several months or years.

Using a steroid medicine for a long time can have serious side effects. Steroid medicine needs to be taken exactly as your child’s healthcare provider prescribes. Your child should not take more or less of it than prescribed by your child’s provider and should not take it longer than prescribed. Your child should not stop taking a steroid medicine without your child’s provider's advice. Your child may have to lower the dosage slowly before stopping it.

How do they work?

Corticosteroid medicines are similar to hormones made by your child’s body. They block some of the chemicals that cause irritation and swelling. In some doses, they can change the way the immune system works.

You don’t need a prescription to buy mild forms of the medicine such as skin cream with a low amount (1%) of hydrocortisone. However, you need a prescription from your child’s healthcare provider for most corticosteroid medicines.

What else do I need to know about this medicine?

  • Follow the directions that come with your child’s medicine, including information about food. Ask for written information to take home. Tell your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you need information in a different language or larger type.
  • Make sure you know how and when your child needs to take the medicine. Your child should not take more or less than he or she is supposed to take.
  • Try to get all of your child’s prescriptions filled at the same place. Your pharmacist can help make sure that all of your child’s medicines are safe to take together.
  • Keep a list of your child’s medicines with you. Tell your child's healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the prescription and nonprescription medicines, natural remedies, vitamins, and supplements your child takes.
  • Many medicines have side effects. A side effect is a symptom or problem that is caused by the medicine itself. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what side effects the medicine may cause and what you should do if your child has side effects.

If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

Developed by Change Healthcare.
Pediatric Advisor 2022.2 published by Change Healthcare.
Last modified: 2022-01-03
Last reviewed: 2021-08-17
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
© 2022 Change Healthcare LLC and/or one of its subsidiaries
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