Corticosteroids for Arthritis.
Last updated Thursday, December 30, 2004
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About corticosteroidsWhat are they? Corticosteroids are medications often used to treat arthritis and
related conditions. These medications are widely used because of their
overall effectiveness in reducing inflammation--the process that causes
the joint pain, warmth, and swelling of arthritis and related
conditions. Examples of corticosteroids include cortisone, prednisone,
and methylprednisolone.
These medications are related to cortisol, which occurs naturally in
the body. Cortisol is a hormone that controls many important body
functions. You could not live without cortisol.
Corticosteroids are hormones, but they are not sex hormones. Sex
hormones regulate sexual and reproductive function; corticosteroids do
not. Doctors sometimes refer to corticosteroids as steroids. However,
corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroid drugs that some
athletes abuse.
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