The proportions of glucocorticoid to mineralocorticoid activity determine the uses of these corticosteroids: |
|
Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity |
These are suitable for adrenal replacement therapy and as injection for emergency management of some conditions. |
|
GREEN Hydrocortisone, tablets 10mg, 20mg |
AMBER Hydrocortisone tablets 2.5mg, 5mg, 15mg [only as an extra option when stabilising therapy in adrenal replacement] |
AMBER Hydrocortisone sodium succinate injection 100mg |
RED Hydrocortisone Emergency Injection Kit |
|
Glucocorticoid activity mainly |
Most common corticosteroid for long term disease suppression. |
|
GREEN Prednisolone, tablets 1mg, 5mg, 25mg |
(NB - the 5mg tablets will disperse in water.) |
tablets e/c 2.5mg |
|
High glucocorticoid activity with insignificant mineralocorticoid activity |
Suitable for high dose therapy when water retention would be a disadvantage. |
|
GREEN Betamethasone tablets 500 microgram |
RED Betamethasone injection 4mg/mL |
GREEN Dexamethasone |
tablets 500 microgram, 2mg |
oral solution 2mg/5mL |
RED Dexamethasone injection 8mg/2mL |
|
Other corticosteroid preparations |
RED Methylprednisolone injection 500mg, 1g (Solu-Medrone®) |
GREEN Methylprednisolone acetate injection 40mg/mL (Depo-Medrone®) |
GREEN Triamcinolone injection 40mg/mL [NOT receommended for use in hayfever] |
|
Deflazacort |
Deflazacort may only be initiated by a paediatrician for the management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Deflazacort |
should only be used for patients in whom oral prednisolone is not tolerated due to cushingoid side effects. Treatment |
is likely to be long term and prescribers should continue to monitor patients for side effects routinely (especially asymptomatic |
cataracts and weight gain). Therapy may be transferred to the primary care prescriber (following prior agreement) once therapy |
has been initiated by the specialist. Duration of treatment and dose adjustments should be clearly communicated at regular |
intervals. |
|
AMBER Deflazacort tablets 1mg, 6mg, 30mg |
|
6.3.3 Dexamethasone and Covid-19 | Offer dexamethasone or hydrocortisone to people with severe or critical Covid-19 (in line with updated WHO guidance): that is, people with any of the following: | > acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) | > sepsis or septic shock | > other conditions that would normally need life-sustain therapies such as ventilation or vasopressor therapy | > signs of severe respiratory distress | > oxygen saturation <90% (or deteriorating) on room air | > increased respiratory rate (>30 breaths per minute in adults and children over 5 years). | Corticosteroids should not normally be used in people with COVID-19 that is not severe or critical, because there is | a possibility of harm to such people. See NICE Guidance - Covid-19 prescribing briefing: corticosteroids | | RED Dexamethasone [in Covid-19] | tablets 500 microgram, 2mg | injection 8mg/2mL | RED Hydrocortisone sodium succinate injection 100mg [in Covid-19] | |
|
|
BACK to main page |
|
|
|
|
|
All material in this section is aimed at health care professionals, but is information currently held in the public domain, members of the | public seeking advice on medicine-related matters are advised to speak with their GP, pharmacist, nurse or contact NHS111 Service. | Email: info.elmmb@nhs.net | Copyright© 2016 - 2020 East Lancashire Medicines Management Board. | All rights reserved. Disclaimer/Terms and conditions | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|