Withdrawal from Glucocorticoid Therapy

Abstract

Glucocorticoids, such as hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone, are commonly used systemically for the treatment of a wide variety of illnesses, including asthma, sarcoidosis, nephrotic syndrome, ulcerative colitis, collagen-vascular disorders, chronic active hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, hypersensitivity and rheumatoid arthritis.1 They may be of great benefit, but their long-term use is often limited by the well known Cushingoid side effects of obesity, hypertension, osteoporosis, renal lithiasis, infections, poor healing, cataracts, diabetes, ecchymosis, phlebitis, hirsutism, activation of tuberculosis and other complications. Whether or not the disorder being treated has responded, the clinician frequently attempts to withdraw his patient from glucocorticoid therapy.During . . .