Corticosteroids (Glucocorticoids): Uses, Types, Side Effects and When to Call Your Doctor
Updated: 6 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What are corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids are prescription anti-inflammatory medicines that act like cortisol, a hormone your adrenal glands make. They calm swelling, pain and an overactive immune system in conditions such as asthma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and eczema. They come as shots, creams, drops, pills or IV doses. Side effects rise with longer use, so take them exactly as prescribed. [1]
What the research says
Even short steroid courses carry real risks. In a study of 1,548,945 adults, 21.1% received a short course of oral corticosteroids (under 30 days). In the 30 days after starting, rates of sepsis rose about 5.3-fold, blood clots in the veins 3.3-fold and fractures 1.9-fold — and the risk stayed higher even at doses below 20 mg/day of prednisone. (Waljee et al., BMJ, 2017)
Bone loss starts early on daily pills. A meta-analysis of 66 bone-density papers and 23 fracture papers found that taking more than 5 mg of prednisolone (or equivalent) daily lowers bone density, and fracture risk climbs within 3 to 6 months of starting — then falls after stopping. (van Staa et al., Osteoporosis International, 2002)
High blood sugar is common in people without diabetes. Pooling 13 studies, about 32.3% of people without diabetes developed high blood sugar on steroid treatment, and 18.6% developed diabetes. (Liu et al., Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, 2014)
Key takeaways
Corticosteroids are lab-made medicines similar to cortisol that reduce inflammation, relieve pain and calm the immune system.
They are also called glucocorticoids or simply "steroids" — but they are not the anabolic steroids some athletes misuse.
Local forms (shots, creams, eye and ear drops) are used more often because they carry a lower risk of side effects than systemic forms (pills, IV, muscle shots).
Side effects become more likely the longer you take them.
People with diabetes should check blood sugar more often for around five days after starting a new steroid.
What are corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids are prescription medicines that reduce inflammation in your body. They are synthetic (human-made) drugs that work like cortisol, a hormone your body makes on its own.
Your adrenal glands normally produce and release cortisol. Corticosteroids have a similar anti-inflammatory effect throughout your body. The difference is that your doctor can change and adjust the dose to fit your needs.
What is the difference between steroids, corticosteroids and glucocorticoids?
Steroids, corticosteroids and glucocorticoids are names doctors use for the same group of anti-inflammatory medicines. All three describe synthetic drugs that reduce inflammation.
Scientifically, glucocorticoids are a specific subgroup of corticosteroids. In everyday practice, though, the names are used interchangeably. Your doctor will choose the right medicine for you, whatever they call it.
Are corticosteroids the same as anabolic steroids?
Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are synthetic forms of testosterone, and some athletes misuse them to gain an unfair advantage. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medicines.
Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids) | Anabolic steroids | |
What they copy | Cortisol, a hormone from the adrenal glands | Testosterone |
Main job | Reduce inflammation, relieve pain, calm the immune system | Testosterone-like effects |
Example names | Prednisone, cortisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone | — |
What are common examples of corticosteroids?
The most common corticosteroids and glucocorticoids are prednisone, cortisone, hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone. Your doctor picks the medicine and the form based on your condition and where the inflammation is.
What do corticosteroids do in the body?
Corticosteroids are strong, fast-acting anti-inflammatory medicines with three main effects:
Reducing inflammation
Relieving pain
Calming (suppressing) your immune system
Inflammation (swelling) usually happens when your immune system sends cells to fight an infection or heal an injury. Some health conditions push the immune system into overdrive, so the inflammation causes more problems than it solves.
Steroids tell your body to slow down the production of the chemicals that cause inflammation.
What conditions do corticosteroids treat?
Corticosteroids treat many health conditions, especially autoimmune diseases, where the immune system attacks the body's own tissue. They also help the body heal after some injuries.
Group | Conditions |
Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases | Lupus, inflammatory arthritis (especially rheumatoid arthritis), vasculitis, myositis |
Breathing and allergy | Asthma, allergic reactions, life-threatening anaphylaxis |
Skin | Eczema and other skin conditions |
Nerves | |
Injuries (healing) | Bursitis, trigger finger and trigger thumb, tendinitis |
How are corticosteroids given?
Corticosteroids are given either locally (a targeted dose to one exact spot in or on your body) or systemically (a dose that spreads through your whole body). Local steroids are used more often because they have a lower risk of side effects.
Type | How it's given | Examples |
Local | Targeted to one spot | Joint injections, eye drops, ear drops, creams you rub on your skin |
Systemic | Spreads through the whole body | Pills you take by mouth, IV steroids into a vein, intramuscular (IM) shots into a muscle |
What are the benefits of corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids are one of the fastest ways to reduce inflammation in the body. Depending on the medicine and how you take it, pain, swelling, discoloration and other symptoms can ease very quickly.
Speed: Some glucocorticoids take a few days to work, but they are still among the fastest ways to treat severe symptoms.
Long-lasting relief: Cortisone shots can control symptoms for months, or even permanently.
Lifesaving protection: In autoimmune diseases like lupus or vasculitis, steroids may stop kidney inflammation from worsening into kidney failure. This may help people avoid dialysis or a kidney transplant. Learn more in our guide to lupus nephritis.
What are the common side effects of corticosteroids?
The most common corticosteroid side effects are increased appetite, weight gain, skin changes, water retention, stomach irritation, muscle weakness, mood swings and extra body hair. Corticosteroids are a safe, effective way to manage short-term and long-term (chronic) conditions, but like all medicines they can cause side effects.
Side effect | What you might notice |
Increased appetite | Feeling hungrier than usual |
Weight gain | Unexpected weight gain |
Skin changes | Bruising more easily, more acne |
Water retention | A swollen or puffy face and skin |
Stomach irritation | Stomach upset or discomfort |
Muscle weakness | Muscles feeling weaker |
Mood swings | More anxiety, restlessness or trouble sleeping |
Increased body hair | More hair growth on the body |
Are corticosteroids harmful?
Corticosteroids can cause side effects, and some of them are harmful. No one can guarantee you'll avoid every side effect, but using corticosteroids exactly as your doctor prescribes is the best way to lower your risk.
The chance of side effects goes up the longer you take them. Your doctor will explain the risks and benefits before you start. If you have taken steroid pills for more than a few weeks, do not stop them suddenly; your doctor will lower the dose slowly, because stopping abruptly can cause a dangerous drop in your body's own cortisol.
Which health conditions can corticosteroids cause or worsen?
Corticosteroids can raise your risk of developing some conditions — or make them worse if you already have them:
Do corticosteroids raise blood sugar?
Corticosteroids raise blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar more often for around five days after starting a new steroid.
When should you call your doctor while taking corticosteroids?
Call your doctor if your inflammation and pain are still there one week after starting a new corticosteroid. Ask how soon your medicine should start to relieve your symptoms.
Tell your doctor right away if you have:
Fever
Nausea or vomiting
Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
Dizziness
If you need steroids for more than a few months, ask how often to check your blood sugar, blood pressure and bone density. Your doctor can suggest tests that screen for serious complications before they happen.
Corticosteroids at a glance
Question | Short answer |
What are they? | Lab-made anti-inflammatory medicines similar to cortisol |
Other names | Glucocorticoids, steroids |
Common examples | Prednisone, cortisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone |
Main effects | Reduce inflammation, relieve pain, calm the immune system |
Forms | Local (shots, creams, drops) or systemic (pills, IV, muscle shots) |
Lower-risk option | Local forms |
Biggest safety rule | Take them exactly as prescribed; risk rises with longer use |
Call your doctor | No relief after 1 week, or fever, vomiting, confusion or dizziness |
Conclusion
Reading a long list of steroid side effects can feel overwhelming. For many people, though, corticosteroids are clearly worth it: they are among the most common and fastest ways to treat inflammation, pain and the symptoms of many conditions — and in some diseases they can protect vital organs.
The safest approach is simple: take them exactly as prescribed, know the warning signs, and ask your doctor about monitoring if you need them for more than a few months. It's normal to have questions before starting any medicine — bring every one of them to your appointment.
Want health guides you can trust and share with your doctor? Explore more plain-language, physician-reviewed articles in our health library and save this guide for your next visit.
FAQ
Are corticosteroids the same as steroids?
Yes. "Steroids" is a shortened name for corticosteroids, which are also called glucocorticoids. All three names refer to synthetic medicines that reduce inflammation. They are different from anabolic steroids, which are synthetic forms of testosterone.
What are the most common corticosteroids?
The most common corticosteroids are prednisone, cortisone, hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone.
How fast do corticosteroids work?
Corticosteroids are among the fastest ways to reduce inflammation, and many people notice less pain and swelling very quickly. Some types take a few days to take effect. If you still have symptoms a week after starting, see your doctor.
Which is safer: steroid shots and creams, or steroid pills?
Local steroids — such as joint injections, creams and eye or ear drops — have a lower risk of side effects than systemic steroids like pills, IV doses or muscle injections. That's why local steroids are used more often.
How long does a cortisone shot last?
Cortisone shots can manage symptoms for months, and in some cases permanently.
Do steroids make you gain weight?
Weight gain is one of the most common side effects of corticosteroids, along with increased appetite and water retention that can make your face look puffy.
Can corticosteroids affect my bones?
Yes. Corticosteroids can raise the risk of osteoporosis or make it worse. If you need steroids for more than a few months, ask your doctor how often to check your bone density.
I have diabetes. What should I do when starting a steroid?
Corticosteroids raise blood sugar. Check your blood sugar more often for around five days after starting a new steroid, and ask your doctor how often to keep checking if you need steroids long term.
Can I stop taking corticosteroids suddenly?
Not if you have taken steroid pills for more than a short time. Your body may need time to restart its own cortisol, so your doctor will usually lower the dose slowly. Stopping suddenly can cause weakness, dizziness or a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
Should I take steroid pills with food?
Taking steroid pills with food can help prevent stomach upset. Many people take a once-daily dose in the morning to lower the chance of trouble sleeping, but follow the directions on your prescription.
Related Reading
Cortisone Shots (Steroid Injections): How They Work, Side Effects, and What to Expect explains how steroid injections ease joint pain and how often to get them.
Cushing Syndrome: What High Cortisol Does to Your Body and How It Is Treated describes the effects of too much cortisol, including from long-term steroids.
Addison's Disease: Complete Guide to Adrenal Insufficiency Symptoms, Causes & Treatment explains adrenal insufficiency, its warning signs and lifelong treatment.
Osteoporosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Explained covers bone thinning, fracture risk and ways to protect your bones.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Corticosteroids (Glucocorticoids): Definition & Side Effects. Cleveland Clinic. Last updated October 21, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/corticosteroids-glucocorticoids
Waljee AK, Rogers MAM, Lin P, et al. Short term use of oral corticosteroids and related harms among adults in the United States: population based cohort study. BMJ. 2017;357:j1415. PMID 28404617. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j1415
van Staa TP, Leufkens HGM, Cooper C. The epidemiology of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis: a meta-analysis. Osteoporosis International. 2002;13(10):777-787. PMID 12378366. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001980200108
Liu XX, Zhu XM, Miao Q, et al. Hyperglycemia induced by glucocorticoids in nondiabetic patients: a meta-analysis. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism. 2014;65(4):324-332. PMID 25402408. https://doi.org/10.1159/000365892
Ramamoorthy S, Cidlowski JA. Corticosteroids: mechanisms of action in health and disease. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America. 2016;42(1):15-31, vii. PMID 26611548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rdc.2015.08.002
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education only and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Never start, stop or change a corticosteroid dose without talking to the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
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