Steroids

Steroids

• What are steroids?
  • these are medications that suppress the inflammation, but have many side effects
  • e.g. prednisone, budesonide

• Can steroids be used long term?
  • steroids are NOT meant for long term use, they are NOT maintenance medications.  Steroids have too many side effects and should be tapered as soon as possible

• How are steroids taken?
  • steroids can be oral tablets OR intravenous (in hospital administration)
  • steroids also come in topical (enemas or suppositories) form for distal colitis

• What are the side effects of steroids?   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• PATIENT INFORMATION – prednisone
• PREDNISONE – how to taper