ADRENOCORTICOSTEROID HORMONES

CLASSIFICATION
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF
GLUCOCORTICOSTEROID
MECHANISM OF ACTION OF
MINERALOCORTICOSTEROID
EFFECT OF ADRENOCORTICOSTEROID
HORMONES
 Metabolic changes include moon face, buffalo hump, truncal obesity, weight gain, and muscle wasting.
 Corticosteroids decrease resistance to infection. They also delay healing and mask the symptoms of
infection.
 Corticosteroids stimulate the increase in the production of stomach acid and pepsin. As a result, they can
cause ulcers.
 Corticosteroids can cause premature closure of the growth plates and can delay or stop growth in
children.
 They can also cause osteoporosis.
 Corticosteroids increase intraocular pressure and can exacerbate glaucoma.
 Some glucocorticosteroids can cause sodium and water retention and can cause hypertension.
 Adrenal suppression can occur with long-term use and cause adrenal crisis. Adrenal crisis is
characterized by weakness, syncope, cardiovascular collapse and death.
 USES
 Allergy and respirology medicine
 Dermatology

 Endocrinology (usually at physiologic doses)

 Gastroenterology

 Hematology