Is it necessary to taper a short course of oral corticosteroids?

December 2003

Is it necessary to taper a short course of oral corticosteroids?

This is a long-running debate. Corticosteroids are often tapered to prevent relapse and minimize adrenal suppression.

But tapering regimens can be hard to follow...and prolonging treatment can increase the risk of steroid side effects.

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Table of Contents

now recommend AGAINST keeping ipecac syrup on hand for accidental poisonings
Cardiology Reports in the lay press are suggesting that it's dangerous for patients to stop low-dose aspirin
Cardiology valsartan (Diovan) improves survival after a heart attack
Gastroenterology confusion about the new OTC version of Prilosec
Cholesterol food products marketed as "heart healthy"
Cholesterol Which statins should to be taken in the evening?
Neurology & Pain whether opiates cause hearing loss
Antidepressants New alternatives to Paxil are hitting the market
Antidepressants More stroke patients are now getting an antidepressant
Asthma Is it necessary to taper a short course of oral corticosteroids?
More bipolar patients will be getting lithium
Risperdal Consta will be the first LONG-ACTING injectable ATYPICAL antipsychotic
Psoriasis Raptiva for psoriasis
Women's Health new Rx estrogen cream, Estrasorb
Medication Errors eliminate dangerous abbreviations from prescriptions
Anticoagulants new oral anticoagulant called Exanta (ximelagatran, zye-mel-a-GAT-ran)
Practice Cialis (tadalafil), the new long-acting drug for erectile dysfunction