Download Drugs - Steroids - Prestige Animal Hospital

Steroids
Prednisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, Triamcinolone (Vetalog), Methylprednisolone
(Depo-Medrol) are members of the glucocorticoid class of hormones. Cortisone is an example
of a related hormone with which most people are familiar.
Side Effects
Possible side effects or complications may include the following:








Excessive thirst and excessive urination.
Excessive panting.
Increase in appetite.
Any latent infections can be unmasked by glucocorticoid use.
Gastrointestinal upset may be seen at higher doses.
At higher doses and with long-term use, it is possible for a patient on the verge of
developing diabetes mellitus to be tipped into a diabetic state.
At higher doses and with long-term use, it is possible for the patient’s adrenal glands to
atrophy so that when the medication is discontinued, the patient is unable to respond
properly to any stressful situation. A circulatory crisis can result. Thus, the goal for
chronic therapy is to use the lowest effective dose as infrequently as possible, so that
the body's own adrenal glands can remain active.
At higher doses and with long-term use, steroids are likely to change liver enzyme blood
testing and interfere with testing for thyroid diseases.
Interactions with other Drugs
Glucocorticoid hormones should NOT be used in combination with medications of the NSAID
class such as aspirin, carprofen (Rimadyl), deracoxib (Deramaxx), meloxicam (Metacam), etc.
The combination of these medications could lead to serious bleeding in the stomach or
intestine.
When steroids are used infrequently, serious side effects are not expected. When doses
become immune-suppressive (higher doses) or use becomes chronic (longer than 4 months on
an every other day schedule), the side effects and concerns associated become different. In
these cases, monitoring tests are necessary or, if possible, another therapy may be selected.