Glucocorticoids: Definition, Uses, Side Effects, and More
Wellness & SelfcareDrugs

Glucocorticoids

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Updated on October 18, 2024
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Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that help reduce inflammation and the activity of the immune system. They’re used to treat a range of conditions, including asthma, allergies, and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. They usually work quickly and effectively, but can also cause a range of side effects. Before you start taking glucocorticoids, discuss the risks with your healthcare practitioner.

Read on to learn more about the conditions they treat, the types, how they work, and the potential side effects.

What Are Glucocorticoids?

Glucocorticoids are steroid hormones that are either produced naturally in the body or created synthetically as drugs.

As drugs, glucocorticoids are used to:

  • Reduce inflammation in a range of conditions
  • Reduce the activity of your immune system
  • Fight off allergies
Both naturally produced and synthetic glucocorticoids have the following effects:

  • They fight inflammation
  • They help control cell metabolism
  • They cause blood vessels to constrict (narrow)
  • They affect mood, concentration, and sleep

What Conditions Do Glucocorticoids Treat?

Because of the properties mentioned above, doctors typically prescribe glucocorticosteroids for a variety of inflammatory conditions and conditions in which the immune system is overactive or doesn’t function properly.

Glucocorticoids for Asthma and Allergies

Glucocorticoids are commonly used to treat many inflammatory lung conditions, including:

Both in the case of asthma and allergies, the immune system overreacts to essentially harmless substances in the environment, such as pollen or dust mites. Glucocorticoids help calm the immune response to these allergens.

Glucocorticoids for Skin Conditions

Topical glucocorticoids (glucocorticoids that you can apply locally to your skin) are commonly used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including:

  • Various types of dermatitis (eczema)

  • Psoriasis

  • Pemphigus vulgaris (a rare autoimmune skin condition that causes blisters)

Topical glucocorticoids are available as creams, ointments, lotions, gels, and foams.

 They help treat skin conditions in the following ways:
  • They have anti-inflammatory properties, which helps calm down flare-ups.
  • They help reduce the excessive immune response that causes conditions like eczema or pemphigus.
  • They reduce blood flow to the skin (because they can narrow blood vessels), which reduces inflammation.
  • They reduce how quickly skin cells renew themselves, which helps treat conditions like psoriasis.

Glucocorticoids for Autoimmune Conditions

In autoimmune conditions, the immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. Glucocorticoids help reduce this immune response through various mechanisms, such as repressing the activity of some genes that cause inflammation and inhibiting some immune cells (like T cells and B cells).

Overall, glucocorticoids are some of the most effective treatments for the following inflammatory conditions:

Glucocorticoids for Cancer, Organ Transplants, and Other Uses

The suppressing effect of glucocorticoids on the immune system makes them useful in treating organ transplantation.

They’re also used in cancer to help treat the side effects of chemotherapy, destroy cancer cells, or help boost the cancer-killing effects of other drugs.

Finally, glucocorticoids also help treat conditions like adrenal insufficiency.

Glucocorticoids are a broad class of drugs, and doctors use them for many illnesses. Some of their uses may not have been covered here.

Types of Glucocorticoids

Examples of common glucocorticoid drugs include:

  • Prednisolone

  • Deflazacort
  • Dexamethasone
  • Prednisone
  • Hydrocortisone
Glucocorticoids have various uses and can be administered in different ways, depending on the conditions treated. They are available either via prescription or over the counter (OTC). They can be taken in the following ways:

  • Topically (applied on the skin)
  • Orally (taken by mouth)
  • As an injection (under the skin or into the vein)
  • Rectally (as a suppository)

How Do Glucocorticoids Work?

Inflammation is part of the immune system’s natural reaction to foreign substances or in response to injury or illness.

 But in the case of inflammatory conditions or autoimmune disease, the immune system misfires or overreacts, causing excessive inflammation, pain, and other symptoms.

Glucocorticoids relieve inflammation and help reduce or calm the overactivity of the immune system in several ways. For example, they affect the gene expression of certain immune cells (like white blood cells) and reduce pro-inflammatory proteins, enzymes, and other molecules involved in the immune response. They can also inhibit the production of immune cells like B cells and T cells.

 Glucocorticoids are usually very effective and relieve symptoms fast.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of Glucocorticoids?

Because so many cells, tissues, and organs are affected by glucocorticoids in some way, taking these drugs can have many side effects. Before you start taking glucocorticoids, discuss the risks with your healthcare practitioner and mindfully consider the side effects. Many of them can be serious or permanent.

Please note that side effects usually occur with chronic use and high dosage. That said, some common side effects include:

  • High blood pressure
  • High blood glucose (hyperglycemia)
  • Insulin resistance
  • Drug-induced diabetes
  • Eye damage (glaucoma and cataracts)
  • Water retention, including swelling in the ankles or face
  • Increased appetite and weight gain
  • Headache, dizziness, and vertigo
  • Mood swings and irritability
  • Anxiety
  • Other psychiatric issues like psychosis and insomnia
  • Osteoporosis (bone density loss) and a higher risk of bone fractures
  • Increased risk of infections, whether it’s a fungal infection like thrush or infection with viruses like the common cold
  • Thin, frail skin
  • Skin that bruises easily, has stretch marks, or spider veins
  • Wounds that take longer to heal

Are There Any Risks Related to Glucocorticoids?

Your doctor may suggest you avoid glucocorticoids if you:

  • Are allergic or hypersensitive to glucocorticoids or any other components in the drugs
  • Have a systemic fungal infection (a fungal infection that affects your whole body and internal organs) or an infection that affects the joints
  • Have osteoporosis
  • Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Have uncontrolled high blood glucose or diabetes
  • Have eye problems, such as ocular herpes (herpes that affect the eye) or glaucoma
You should also ask your doctor about glucocorticoids if you:

  • Have a weakened immune system or are taking vaccines that suppress your immune system
  • Are at a higher risk of infection or have an untreated bacterial or viral infection
  • Have an active infection, including measles or chickenpox
  • Have heart problems
  • Have a disorder affecting your digestive tract, such as ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer disease, or diverticulitis
  • Have epilepsy
  • Have a mood disorder, psychoses, or a family history of either of these
  • Have a condition involving hormone imbalance, such as a thyroid disorder
If you’ve been taking glucocorticoids for two weeks or more, don’t stop taking the drug suddenly unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Stopping the drug cold turkey can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as:

  • Dizziness
  • Severe fatigue and weakness
  • Nausea

Possible Drug Interactions

Glucocorticoids can interact with other drugs, so it’s best to check with your doctor about any other medications you are taking, whether they’re over the counter or prescribed.

In particular, glucocorticoids interact with:

  • Live vaccines: chickenpox, yellow fever

  • Antivirals
  • Blood thinners: warfarin (Coumadin)
  • Diabetes medication: metformin, glimepiride
  • NSAIDs: aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

The Takeaway

Glucocorticoids are used to reduce inflammation and the activity of the immune system. They treat a variety of conditions, such as allergies, asthma, skin conditions, COPD, and autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. They can be highly effective and fast-acting, but they can also have serious side effects and interact with other medications. Discuss the risks and benefits of glucocorticoids with your healthcare professional, and mention any other underlying conditions you may have or drugs you may be taking.

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Kristina D. Carter, PharmD

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Kristina D. Carter, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist and freelance health writer who currently works in a managed care setting, performing quality audits on utilization management case reviews for the pharmacy team. She has over 20 years of experience and has worked in several pharmacy practice settings, including at a community pharmacy as well as in ambulatory care, senior care, and pharmacy operations.

She received her doctor of pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy and her master's of business administration and health administration from Georgia State University Robinson College of Business. She is an American Council on Exercise–certified health coach, group fitness instructor, senior fitness specialist, and weight management specialist. She is also a registered pharmacist, licensed in Georgia, Indiana, and Tennessee.

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