ADRENOCORTICOSTEROID HORMONES

CLASSIFICATION

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF GLUCOCORTICOSTEROID

MECHANISM OF ACTION OF MINERALOCORTICOSTEROID

EFFECT OF ADRENOCORTICOSTEROID

HORMONES

Metabolic changes include moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity, weight gain, and muscle wasting.

Corticosteroids decrease resistance to infection. They also delay healing and mask the symptoms of

infection.

Corticosteroids stimulate the increase in the production of stomach acid and pepsin. As a result, they can

cause ulcers.

Corticosteroids can cause premature closure of the growth plates and can delay or stop growth in

children.

They can also cause osteoporosis.

Corticosteroids increase intraocular pressure and can exacerbate glaucoma.

Some glucocorticosteroids can cause sodium and water retention and can cause hypertension.

Adrenal suppression can occur with long-term use and cause adrenal crisis. Adrenal crisis is

characterized by weakness, syncope, cardiovascular collapse and death.

USES

Allergy and respirology medicine

Dermatology

Endocrinology (usually at physiologic doses)

Gastroenterology

Hematology