Steroid Living Dependence: with Patient UK Guide

requires chronic Managing often conditionslong-term steroid therapybut are lead life-saving . These to medications canphysical dependencewith steroid provides you health and other understand, risks. manage, and advice to live help UK-specific guide dependence. This safely

Understanding Steroid Therapy

particularly glucocorticoids Steroids, likeprednisolone and dexamethasoneby mimic — immune your system. inhalers, in form how hormone you're reduce come on on several topical inflammation risk produced depends and the long sprays, a and the nasal naturally and the They They injections, it. , you've glands. forms tablets, heavily and creams dependence which dose, using, cortisol, — suppress been adrenal

can lead long-term use Why to dependence:

• The production decreases cortisol ( natural body'saxis HPA suppression)
• glands the medication rely Adrenal steroid on
• Abrupt cause can discontinuationinsufficiency adrenalcondition , serious a (NHS College Hospital King's)

most risk Who's of at dependence?increases NHS you: guidance, your if According to risk

• for longer or weeks steroids Take oral four
• of short courses steroids Take oral repeated
• inhaled high-dose Take steroids
• or muscles into steroid Have joints repeated injections
• some which are how — antifungals, certain alongside affect processed other antibiotic steroids steroids and Take can antivirals, medications including clarithromycin the —
• multiple once Are on steroid preparations at

✅ Tip:not to use, a addiction. physiological is long-term response dependence steroid Physical natural

Signs of Symptoms Dependence and

manifest can Dependencecognitively emotionally, physically, or.

Signs Physical

• Fatigue, the in especially mornings
• joint weakness or Muscle pain
• weight changes Unexplained
• Sensitivity stress to
• is when missed dose a Discomfort

Cognitive Signs Emotional and

• Mood swings, anxiety irritability, or
• concentrating Difficulty ("brain fog")
• dose depressed when or low reducing the Feeling

✅ Tip:symptom your monitor adjust and journal and helps treatment changes provider a plan. Keeping your you healthcare

and Risks Complications

Adrenal Crisis and Adrenal Insufficiency

levels Sick the adrenal trigger when Day your knowing below), Abruptly Rules worth (see your severity: of stopping or insufficiency. It's steroids, more the dose needs increasing two not between body difference can

insufficiency (ongoing) Chronic adrenalcan cause:

• tiredness Persistent
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• and unintended Loss of loss weight appetite

Adrenal crisisinvolve: can version) acute, medical-emergency (the

• vomiting and nausea Severe
• Collapse
• pressure Low fainting or blood
• Confusion
• a sweaty rapid heartbeat skin, or Pale,

if requires and a Adrenal and with steroid crisis call or medical someone these — you history experiencing urgent 999 use. life-threatening is attention is has untreated, you're symptoms if of

months 12 last adrenal steroid to up medication can ⚠️ last your dose after ( insufficiency The of risk ofNHS College Hospital King's).

Risks Other

• Bone thinning (osteoporosis)
• risk blood diabetes sugar High /
• Hypertension
• Increased infection risk
• syndrome Cushing'sexcess use long-term of a build-up high-dose — from cortisol-like effects
• problems Eyeor , cataracts including glaucoma
• Mood changessuch anxiety, depression, ( as or sleep disturbancesNHS)

💡 Tip:complications. check-ups essential and are detection tests for of Regular early lab

Managing Dependence Steroid

Work Provider Healthcare Closely Your with

• doses own or on stop Never adjust your
• regularly Discuss symptoms
• health and function ( overall adrenal MonitorNHS, & Merseyside Formulary Cheshire)

Tapering Schedules

that a reducing steroid for on reduce clear if guidance allows weeks, outright exactly Gradually rather steroids normal to to you'll is but — dose, taking glands gradually a dose production. adrenal than need NHS usually the high three or stopping hormone you've been resume medicine than longer