Steroids
Find out more about steroids, the different types of steroid medicine, side effects and how to stop taking them safely.
What steroids are for
Steroids are an artificial version of hormones your body usually makes by itself.
They help reduce redness and swelling (inflammation) and stop the body's immune system attacking itself.
They can be used to help treat conditions such as:
- asthma
- allergies, including hay fever and allergic rhinitis
- conjunctivitis
- eczema
- nappy rash
- piles (haemorrhoids)
- rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn's disease
- cancer
Types of steroids
There are many different types of steroids that come in different forms, such as tablets or inhalers.
The type of steroid you have depends on the condition being treated.
Side effects of steroids
Steroids often do not cause side effects if they're taken for a short time or at a low dose.
The side effects you may have depend on:
- the type of steroid you're taking
- how strong the dose of steroids is
- how long you take the steroids for
Any side effects will usually stop when you finish your treatment.
Possible serious side effects of steroids
If you take a high dose, or are on steroids for a longer time, you may have a higher chance of getting more serious side effects.
These can include:
- slowed growth (in children and teenagers)
- weakening of the bones (osteoporosis)
- getting more infections
- changes in your mood, such as depression and anxiety
- too much of the hormone cortisol in your body (Cushing's syndrome)
- high blood sugar or diabetes
- high blood pressure
- problems with your eyes, such as glaucoma or cataracts
Your doctor will tell you what side effects to expect if you're taking steroids for a longer time.
They may lower or change your dose if you're having side effects. They may also recommend taking other medicines to help, such as medicines to help strengthen your bones or prevent indigestion or heartburn.
Stopping or coming off steroids
Most people will not have side effects when they stop taking their steroid medicine.
But it's important to follow your doctor's advice if you've been:
- taking a steroid medicine for longer than 3 weeks
- given a high dose of a steroid medicine
You'll usually need to reduce your dose gradually.
