Adverse reactions/side effects are much more common with high-dose/long-term therapy
CV: hypertension, edema.
Derm: ↓ wound healing, acne, ecchymoses, hirsutism, petechiae.
EENT: ↑ intraocular pressure, blurred vision, cataracts.
Endo: adrenal suppression, hyperglycemia.
F and E: hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis.
GI: anorexia, nausea, ↑ appetite, PEPTIC ULCERATION, vomiting.
GU: amenorrhea.
Hemat: THROMBOEMBOLISM, thrombophlebitis.
Metab: ↑ weight.
MS: muscle wasting, osteoporosis, avascular necrosis of joints, muscle pain.
Neuro: depression, euphoria, psychoses, ↑ intracranial pressure (children only), hallucinations, headache, insomnia, personality changes, restlessness.
Misc: cushingoid appearance (moon face, buffalo hump), ↑ susceptibility to infection.
Therapeutic Classification: corticosteroids
Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration. Sodium phosphate salt is rapidly absorbed after IM administration. Absorption from local sites (intra-articular, intralesional) is slow but complete.
Distribution: Widely distributed, crosses the placenta, and appears to enter breast milk.
Metabolism/Excretion: Mostly metabolized by the liver.
Half-life: Low birth weight infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: 9.3 hr; Children 3 mo–16 yr: 4.3 hr; Adults: 3–4.5 hr (plasma), 36–54 hr (tissue); adrenal suppression lasts 2.75 days.
(anti-inflammatory activity)
