Glucocorticoids

Question 1

What drugs belong to the glucocorticoids class?

Answer 1

Hydrocortisone, prednisone, triamcinolone, dexamethasone, beclomethasone (p.306)

Question 2

What is the mechanism of action of glucocorticoid drugs?

Answer 2

Decreased production of leukotrienes and prostaglandins by inhibiting phospholipase A2 and expression of COX-2 (p.306)

Question 3

What are the clinical uses for glucocorticoid drugs?

Answer 3

Addison’s disease, inflammation, immunosuppression, asthma (p.306)

Question 4

What are the toxicities associated with glucocorticoid use?

Answer 4

Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome, diabetes (if use is chronic), adrenal insufficiency when drug is stopped abruptly after chronic use (p.306)