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Section Under Review

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For use of corticosteroids in the treatment of asthma, see Chapter 3 - Corticosteroids.

For use of corticosteroids in the treatment of musculoskeletal and joint disorders see Chapter 10 – Drugs used in rheumatic diseases and gout and Drugs used in neuromuscular disorders.

For use of corticosteroids in dermatology, see Chapter 13 – Topical corticosteroids.

Patients receiving more than 2.5mg of prednisolone (or equivalent; see BNF link below) for longer than 3 months may require osteoporosis prophylaxis. See Chapter 6 – Drugs affecting bone metabolism.

Care should be taken in reducing pharmacological doses of glucocorticoids if the patient has been treated for longer than 3 weeks to avoid cortisol insufficiency due to prolonged suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis.

Please refer to the BNF for further information on glucocorticoid therapy.

To indicate the category of a formulary medicine, updated sections adopt the following key:

Preferred list (P): First-line formulary choices.

Total list (T): Alternative choices when preferred list options not effective/not tolerated, or not indicated.

Specialist initiation (S1): Specialist initiation, or on the advice of a Consultant or Specialist Practitioner in this therapeutic area. Continuation in primary care is acceptable.

Specialist use only (S2): Supply via hospital, Homecare Service or a hospital based prescription (HBP) for dispensing by community pharmacy. Not prescribed in primary care setting.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 31/01/2022

Next review date: 31/01/2025

Author(s): NHSL.

Version: Please refer to the introduction section for an explanation of the review dates above.

Approved By: ADTC

Reviewer name(s): ADTC.