Treating Relapses with Corticosteroids
The steroids used to treat MS relapses are potent medications with many side effects, but they have nothing to do with the anabolic steroids some athletes abuse. Steroids used in MS are corticosteroids, similar to the hormone cortisol, which the adrenal glands, situated just above the kidneys, produce. Among other things, cortisol manages the body’s reaction to stresses.
Steroids are taken orally (cortisone, prednisone, decadron) or are injected intravenously (hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone). Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) which stimulates the release cortisol, is an older medication and not used much now.
Possible Side Effects of Steroids
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Short-term use |
Long-term use |
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allergic reaction |
weight gain |
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insomnia |
high blodd pressure |
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psychiatric disturbance |
cataracts |
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fluid retention |
hardening of the arteries |
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increased appetite |
diabetes |
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acne |
life-threatening infections |
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bone damage (rare) |
osteoporosis (loss of bone mans) or other bone damage |
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if used during pregnancy, heart defect or cleft palate in the fetus |
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