Steroids are medicines that reduce redness and swelling. They are used to treat a range of conditions. They are also called corticosteroids.
These steroids are different from anabolic steroids.
Most steroids are only available on prescription. Some creams and nasal sprays can be bought from pharmacies, without a prescription.
Types of steroids
Steroids come in many different forms.
The main types are:
- tablets, soluble tablets and liquids - such as prednisolone
- inhalers and nasal sprays - such as beclometasone and fluticasone
- injections - such as methylprednisolone
- creams, lotions and gels - such as hydrocortisone skin cream
Uses of steroids
Steroids are used to treat conditions such as:
- asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- hay fever
- hives and eczema
- painful joints or muscles
- inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease
- rheumatoid arthritis
- lupus
- multiple sclerosis (MS)
They are also used to reduce the activity of the immune system and reduce redness and swelling.
Your GP may also prescribe steroids to treat nerve pain, including sciatica. This is an off-label use.
Off-label - what it means
Off-label use is when a medicine is prescribed in a way that is different to how it was first licensed.
Your doctor may prescribe a medicine off label if they think it will treat your condition effectively.
They can often prescribe a medicine:
- to treat a condition or age group not listed on the patient information leaflet
- at a higher or lower dosage than stated on the patient information leaflet
Off label use does not mean that the medicine is unsafe. Your doctor will tell you if they are prescribing the medicine off label. They will only prescribe it if the benefits outweigh any risks.
Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if you have any concerns or questions about off-label use.
How steroids work
Steroids are a man-made version of hormones made in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are 2 small glands that sit on top of the kidneys.
Steroids reduce redness and swelling (inflammation). This can help with inflammatory conditions such as asthma and eczema.
Steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system. The immune system is the body's natural defence against illness and infection.
This can help treat autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. These conditions are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body.
Side effects of steroids
Steroids do not usually cause significant side effects if they're taken for a short time or at a low dose.
But they can cause side effects such as an increased appetite, mood changes and difficulty sleeping. This is most common with steroid tablets.
Side effects usually pass when you finish the treatment.
Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP or pharmacist if:
- side effects bother you
Read more about side effects in the patient information leaflet with your medicine or in our guides to:
- steroid tablets
- steroid inhalers
- steroid nasal sprays
- steroid injections
- steroid creams (a topical corticosteroid)
Stopping steroids
Do not stop taking steroids without speaking to your GP or pharmacist unless you experience certain serious side effects.
Your GP will tell you how to gradually reduce your dose if necessary.
Stopping suddenly can cause more side effects (withdrawal symptoms).
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.
Report side effects
You can report any suspected side effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA): report an issue - hpra.ie
Fact check
This content was fact checked by a pharmacist, a GP, and the National Medication Safety Programme (Safermeds).
