Steroid Medications: Benefits and Side Effects

Steroid medications, such as prednisone or fluticasone, are anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used to manage respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD. They help reduce airway inflammation and improve breathing.

Steroid Medications FAQ

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What are steroid medicines?

Steroids are hormones that occur naturally in the body. Steroid medicines are man-made and are similar to the natural hormones made in the body. The type of steroids used to treat disease are called corticosteroids. They are different to the anabolic steroids which some athletes and bodybuilders use. Anabolic steroids have very different effects.

What are steroid tablets used for?

Steroid tablets, also called corticosteroid tablets, are a type of anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat a range of conditions. They can be used to treat problems such as allergies, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, Addison's disease and arthritis. Steroid tablets are only available on prescription.

What are the different types of steroid medicines?

Steroid medicines used to treat disease are also called corticosteroids. The most commonly used corticosteroid medicine type is glucocorticoids. These include steroids such as: Prednisolone. Betamethasone. Dexamethasone. Hydrocortisone. Methylprednisolone. Deflazacort. The other group are called mineralocorticoids.

What are steroids & how do they work?

Steroids are a man-made version of chemicals, known as hormones, that are made naturally in the human body. Steroids are designed to act like these hormones to reduce inflammation. They’re also known as corticosteroids, and are different to anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders and athletes.

How are steroid tablets different from anabolic steroids?

Steroid tablets are different from the anabolic steroids used illegally by some people to increase their muscle mass. Steroid tablets, also called corticosteroid tablets, are a type of anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat a range of conditions.