Corticosteroids

Also indexed as: A-Hydrocort®, A-Methapred®, Aeroseb-Dex®, Alti-Beclomethasone®, Amcinonide, Aristocort®, Aristospan®, Beclodisk®, Benisone®, Beta-Val®, Betamethasone, Betatrex®, Bronalide®, Celestone®, Clobetasol Propionate, Clocortolone Pivalate, Cloderm®, Cordran®, Corlan®, Cortisone, Cortisyl®, Cortone®, Cyclocort®, Decaspray®, Deltacortril Enteric®, Depo-Medrol®, Desonide, Desowen®, Dexsol®, Diflorasone Diacetate, Diprolene®, Econopred®, Elocom®, Entocort®, Exasone®, Filair®, Flixonase®, Florinef®, Florone®, Fludrocortisone Acetate, Fluocinolone Acetonide, Fluonid®, Fluor-Op®, Fluorometholone, Flurandrenolide, FML®, Gen-Beclo Aq®, Gen-Budesonide Aq®, Haldrone®, Halog®, Hexadrol®, HMS Liquifilm®, Hydeltrasol®, Hydrocortone®, Kenacort®, Kenalog®, Lidex®, Luxiq®, Maxidex®, Maxiflor®, Maxivate®, Medrone®, Medrysone, Nasacort®, Nasalide®, Nasobec®, Orasone®, Pediapred®, Precortisyl®, Prednesol®, Prednisolone, Prednisone, Rhinalar®, Rhinocort®, Rivanase Aq®, Solu-Cortef®, Solu-Medrol®, Synalar®, Syntaris®, Topicort®, Tridesilon®, Turbinaire®, Uticort®, Valisone®, Vancenase AQ®, Vancenase®, Vanceril®, Westcort®, Zonivent®

Combination drugs: Adcortyl with Graneodin®, Aureocort®, Lotrisone®, Tobradex®, Tri-Adcortyl®

Corticosteroids are a family of drugs that include cortisol (hydrocortisone)—an adrenal hormone found naturally in the body—as well as synthetic drugs. Though natural and synthetic corticosteroids are both potent anti-inflammatory compounds, the synthetics exert a stronger effect. Oral forms of corticosteroids are used to treat numerous auto-immune and inflammatory conditions, including asthma, bursitis, Crohn’s disease, skin disorders, tendinitis, ulcerative colitis, and others. They are also used to treat severe allergic reactions and to prevent rejection after organ transplant.

Corticosteroids are available for inhalation by mouth to treat asthma and other conditions of restricted breathing, as well as by nose to treat symptoms of nasal allergies. Topical forms are available to treat skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, and hives. Some topical products contain combinations of corticosteroids and antibiotics, and are used to treat ear, eye, and skin infections.

For interactions involving oral, inhaled, or topical forms of corticosteroids, refer to the categories listed below.

Oral Corticosteroids

Cortisone
Hydrocortisone (Cortef®)
Prednisone (Deltasone®, Meticorten®, Orasone®)
Prednisolone (Delta-Cortef®, Pediapred®, Prelone®)
Triamcinolone (Aristocort®, Kenacort®)
Methylprednisolone (Medrol®)
Dexamethasone (Decadron®, Dexone®, Hexadrol®)
Betamethasone (Celestone®)

Inhaled Corticosteroids

Beclomethasone (Beclovent®, Beconase®, Vanceril®, Vancenase®)
Budesonide (Pulmicort®, Rhinocort®)
Mometasone (Nasonex®)
Triamcinolone (Azmacort®, Nasacort®)
Flunisolide (AeroBid®, Nasalide®, Nasarel®)
Fluticasone (Flovent®, Flonase®)

Topical Corticosteroids

Alclometasone (Aclovate®)
Amcinonide (Cyclocort®)
Augmented betamethasone (Diprolene®)
Betamethasone (Uticort, Diprosone®, Maxivate®, Teladar®, Valisone®)
Clobetasol (Cormax®, Embeline™ E, Temovate)
Clocortolone (Cloderm®)
Desonide (DesOwen®, Tridesilon®)
Desoximetasone (Topicort®)
Dexamethasone (Decadron®, Decaspray®)
Diflorasone (Florone®, Maxiflor®, Psorcon®)
Flucinolone (Synalar®, Fluonid®)
Fluocinonide (Lidex®, Fluonex®)
Flurandrenolide (Cordran®)
Fluticasone (Cutivate®)
Halcinonide (Halog®)
Halobetasol (Ultravate®)
Hydrocortisone (Anusol-HC®, Hytone®, Cort-Dome®, Cortenema®, Cortifoam®, Cortaind®, Lanacort®, Locoid®, Westcort®)
Methylprednisolone (Medrol®)
Mometasone (Elocon®)
Prednicarbate (Dermatop®)
Triamcinolone (Aristocort®, Kenalog®, Flutex®)

For interactions involving a specific Corticosteroid, see the individual drug article. For interactions involving a Corticosteroid for which no separate article exists, talk to your doctor or chemist.

Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2007.

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