Cortisone: Effects, Uses and Side Effects
Cortisone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone and a widely used medication with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It is prescribed for a broad range of medical conditions.
Wissenswertes über "Cortisone"
Cortisone is a naturally occurring steroid hormone and a widely used medication with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It is prescribed for a broad range of medical conditions.
What is Cortisone?
Cortisone is a steroid hormone naturally produced by the adrenal cortex in the human body. It belongs to the class of glucocorticoids and plays a key role in regulating metabolism, immune function, and inflammatory responses. In clinical practice, the term cortisone is often used as a general term for synthetic glucocorticoid medications used to treat a wide range of diseases.
Mechanism of Action
Cortisone itself is largely biologically inactive and is converted in the body to its active form, cortisol. Cortisol works by binding to specific receptors inside cells, where it suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory messenger substances (e.g., cytokines, prostaglandins). This dampens inflammatory responses and reduces immune system activity. Synthetic corticosteroids such as prednisolone, dexamethasone, and budesonide work on the same principle but are often significantly more potent than the natural hormone.
Indications
Cortisone is used in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, including:
- Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis
- Allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
- Asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases
- Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and contact allergies
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis
- Transplant medicine to prevent organ rejection
- Certain types of cancer as part of chemotherapy regimens
Dosage Forms and Administration
Cortisone is available in several forms:
- Tablets and capsules for systemic treatment
- Injections (e.g., into joints or administered intravenously)
- Creams and ointments for local application to the skin
- Inhalers for respiratory conditions
- Eye drops for inflammatory eye conditions
- Nasal sprays for allergic rhinitis
Dosage depends on the condition being treated, the severity of symptoms, and the form of administration. Short-term or local use generally carries a lower risk of side effects. Long-term systemic use requires close medical supervision.
Side Effects
Short-term or local use typically causes minimal side effects. However, long-term systemic use can lead to the following:
- Weight gain and redistribution of body fat (moon face, central obesity)
- Osteoporosis (bone loss) due to reduced calcium absorption
- Elevated blood sugar, potentially leading to steroid-induced diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Increased susceptibility to infections due to immune suppression
- Stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal irritation
- Mood changes, sleep disturbances, or euphoria
- Skin thinning and delayed wound healing
- Cataracts and glaucoma
Important Notes
Cortisone must never be stopped abruptly after prolonged use. Sudden discontinuation can lead to adrenal insufficiency, because the body's own cortisol production is suppressed during external administration. Any reduction in dosage must be done gradually under medical supervision (dose tapering). When used appropriately, cortisone is an indispensable and in many cases life-saving medication with an excellent benefit-to-risk profile.
References
- Schäcke H, Döcke WD, Asadullah K. Mechanisms involved in the side effects of glucocorticoids. Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2002;96(1):23-43.
- Barnes PJ. Glucocorticosteroids: current and future directions. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2011;163(1):29-43.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) - MedlinePlus: Cortisone. medlineplus.gov
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Related search terms: Cortisone + Cortison + Cortizone + Cortisol