Safe use of glucocorticoids. How to monitor patients taking these potent agents

Cook, D.M.; Cook, D.M

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Safe use of glucocorticoids. How to monitor patients taking these potent agents

Cook, D.M.

Postgraduate Medicine 91(3): 145-9 152-4

1992

ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5481

PMID: 1741359

Document Number: 396227

Glucocorticoids reduce inflammation and combat stress. However, they are very powerful, and guidelines for their use must be followed to avoid such adverse effects as Cushing's syndrome and adrenal insufficiency. Whenever possible, physicians should consider alternative treatment strategies, because the consequences of steroid therapy may be worse than those of the disease being treated.