Corticosteroids for Arthritis.
Last updated Thursday, December 30, 2004
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Benefits of corticosteroidsTypes of arthritis Corticosteroids are used to treat several forms of arthritis.
Following are examples of some of the rheumatic diseases and conditions
that respond to corticosteroid treatment:
Administration Doctors often prescribe corticosteroids in pill form, but there are other ways of taking them. For osteoarthritis and bursitis,
corticosteroids often are injected directly into the joint or bursa.
For other conditions, they are injected into a muscle or vein.
Doctors may use "pulse" corticosteroids--a procedure in which a very
high dose of the medication is injected into a vein--e.g., when lupus
seriously affects the kidneys, nervous system, or brain. Pulse
corticosteroid treatment is a serious procedure that involves risks. It
should only be used by specialists with appropriate training,
preferably in a hospital. Other conditions treated with corticosteroids Skin conditions caused by certain forms of arthritis often are
treated with corticosteroid creams applied directly to the spot.
Certain eye conditions associated with arthritis are treated with
corticosteroid eyedrops. Some allergies can be treated with nasal
sprays. Unlike corticosteroid pills, corticosteroid creams, eyedrops,
sprays, and injections into joints or bursae are less likely to cause
side effects in other parts of the body.
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