Steroids (therapeutic information)
Corticosteroids are steroids produced within the adrenal cortex. They are divided into two main groups according to their actions:
- glucocorticoids: anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and fuel substrate modulation predominate
- mineralocorticoids: fluid and salt balance
To an extent, there is an overlap of function between the groups.
A small amount of androgen is also produced within the adrenal cortex.
'Steroids', in lay terms, is often used wrongly as a label for corticosteroids and particularly the glucocorticoid prednisolone.
Related pages
- Adrenal cortical physiology
- Corticosteroid (potency)
- Key messages (steroid treatment)
- Special precautions
- Therapeutics
- Types
- Corticosteroid withdrawal
- Routes of administration
- Therapeutic guidelines
- Pharmacokinetics
- Interactions
- Side effects by route
- Steroids (endocrinological information)
- Steroid use and cardiovascular risk (CV risk)
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