Corticosteroids are powerful drugs used to treat inflammation, itching, and certain diseases. They can cause side effects such as increased susceptibility to infections, blurred vision, and mental changes. They can be given by injection, taken orally, or applied topically.
A corticosteroid is a type of drug that is often referred to as a steroid. This powerful drug is used to treat inflammation. For example, it can be used to treat things like swelling and redness. These medications are also used to treat itching that occurs due to allergies or other types of conditions. A doctor can prescribe them to treat a number of diseases and conditions, including asthma, arthritis, and some diseases; they are also prescribed for people dealing with severe allergies and certain conditions affecting the skin.
Sometimes a corticosteroid is used to replace something that is missing in the human body. For example, sometimes the body fails to produce enough of certain hormones. If so, a doctor may prescribe these medications to help with the deficiency, replacing those cortisone-like hormones.
Corticosteroids can cause side effects. For example, this drug may make a person less able to resist and fight infections. When someone takes this drug, they may not respond as well to medical treatment for some infections. It’s a good idea for a person taking corticosteroids to contact their doctor if they develop an infection or symptoms similar to those of the common cold, such as a sore throat, cough, or fever.
Other side effects include blurred or altered vision and increased thirst. Some people may also need to urinate more frequently than usual. However, these side effects are not very common. In rare cases, a person may develop sudden blindness after receiving corticosteroid injection in the head or neck. In other rare cases, a person may experience pain, burning, or irritation at the injection site.
Some rare side effects are mental in nature. For example, a person may hallucinate, become confused, or feel abnormally aroused while taking this drug. Depression and mood swings can also occur. Rarely, hives or skin irritation at the injection site may occur. Some people may also experience abdominal irritation, changes in appetite, swelling of the extremities, irregular heartbeats, muscle cramps, slow-healing wounds, and rapid weight gain.
A corticosteroid can be given by injection or taken by mouth. When it is injected, it can be given into a vein or muscle. It can also be applied to the skin or injected into the joints. In some cases, this medication is included with other ingredients in medications such as eye drops and asthma inhalers.
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