Steroids

About

Steroids (also called corticosteroids) are medicines used to treat conditions that cause swelling (inflammation) in the body. Most steroids must be prescribed, but some can be bought from pharmacies and shops. Steroids are an artificial version of hormones your body usually makes by itself. They help reduce redness and swelling (inflammation) and stop the body's immune system attacking itself. They can be used to help treat conditions such as: asthma allergies, including hay fever and allergic rhinitis conjunctivitis eczema nappy rash piles (haemorrhoids) rheumatoid arthritis Crohn's disease cancer These types of steroids are not the same as anabolic steroids, which some people use illegally to help build bigger muscles. There are many different types of steroids that come in different forms, such as tablets or inhalers. The type of steroid you have depends on the condition being treated. Steroid tablets, capsules, granules and liquid Beclometasone tablets Betamethasone tablets Budesonide tablets, capsules and granules Dexamethasone tablets and liquid Hydrocortisone tablets Hydrocortisone buccal tablets Prednisolone tablets and liquid Steroid inhalers Beclometasone inhalers Budesonide inhalers Fluticasone inhalers Mometasone inhalers Steroid nasal sprays and drops Beclometasone nasal spray Betamethasone for eyes, ears and nose Budesonide nasal spray Fluticasone nasal spray and drops Mometasone nasal spray Steroid injections Hydrocortisone injections Steroid creams, lotions, gels, rectal foam, enemas and ointments Beclometasone skin cream Betamethasone for skin Budesonide rectal foam and enemas Clobetasol Clobetasone Fluticasone skin creams Hydrocortisone for skin Hydrocortisone for piles and itchy bottom Mometasone for skin Steroid eye and ear drops or ointment Betamethasone for eyes, ears and nose Dexamethasone eye drops Not all steroid medicines are listed here. If you cannot find your medicine, check the leaflet that comes with your steroid or ask a pharmacist. S