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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

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Australian Prescriber Vol. 22 No. 1 1999

Corticosteroids in autoimmune diseases

Some diseases are caused by the body making antibodies to its own tissues. These diseases are called autoimmune diseases and can affect many different tissues. For example, some cases of anaemia are due to antibodies against red blood cells.

Autoimmune diseases are sometimes treated with corticosteroids. They usually control the disease rather than cure it. These drugs are modifications of natural hormones produced by the adrenal glands. While the corticosteroids can be very effective, they can cause adverse effects. These adverse effects are a particular problem when the drugs are taken for a long time. They are more common at higher doses. Corticosteroids can cause high blood pressure, thinning of the bones and diabetes. Supplementary doses may be needed during an acute illness.

Treatment aims to achieve the best effect with the lowest dose. This explains why people are sometimes told to reduce their dose of corticosteroids even though they are feeling better.

The risks and benefits of treatment vary depending on the disease. You should ask your doctor to explain this balance. Patients taking corticosteroids are advised to carry details of their treatment with them in case of an emergency.