ABSTRACT
INDICATIONS ■ The indications for steroid therapy by medical specialty are
listed in Table 1.
CLASSIFICATION ■ Potency and duration of action of steroids are listed in Table 2.
MONITORING ■ Monitoring response to steroids varies widely and depends
on the disease being treated. ■ Side effects of steroids that should be monitored universally
include ▲ Bone mineral density-measured annually ▲ Intraocular pressure-checked at least every 6 months ▲ Blood glucose-monthly for outpatients, daily for
inpatients ▲ Blood pressure-monthly for outpatients, daily for
inpatients ■ Consider Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis if long-term therapy. ■ Consider gastrointestinal tract protection with a proton pump
blocker, especially if patient is concurrently taking an NSAID.
