ABSTRACT
These drugs should be used for the shortest time necessary to achieve the desired effect.
If treatment has continued for longer than 3 weeks, the dose should be reduced slowly.
If treatment continues for more than 4 weeks, an alternate-day regimen should be used if possible.
During chronic therapy, the maintenance dose should be increased if the child has a significant infection or other cause of stress (e.g. a surgical operation).
For relative potencies of corticosteroids, see Table 31.1.
