Steroids are also known as anabolic steroids, ‘roids, gear, sauce or juice (e.g. ‘on the juice’). They’re made from the male hormone testosterone and help men build muscle – but only if they work out too. Live vaccines are made using weakened, live bacteria or viruses.
Hair loss and acne are prominent complications, adds Dr Morrison. Unless it’s taken with a big hit of testosterone, it reduces the body’s production of the sex pharmacycanadian.bid hormone DHT, leading to erectile dysfunction or ‘Deca dick’. Gone are the days when juicing was reserved for the likes of Arnie and his bodybuilder mates.
Taking any drug while using steroids puts extra strain on your liver. As steroids can affect your mood it is advisable to avoid other drugs that change your mental state. Your steroid medication is adjusted to help lower this risk if you are at an increased risk of developing adrenal crisis. For example, if you are unwell or admitted to hospital for surgery.
HIV drugs – steroids and some HIV drugs both raise levels of cholesterol (fat in the blood), so if you’re being treated for HIV you should be careful about using muscle-building drugs. A doctor should check your cholesterol levels as taking steroids when on HIV drugs puts extra strain on your liver. If you’re on some HIV meds they can cause raised levels of steroids in the blood, making side effects more likely.
Steroids won’t cure your condition, but they’re very good at reducing inflammation and will ease symptoms such as swelling, pain and stiffness. Steroid tablets are not usually recommended for children as they can cause growth problems. Your doctor may reduce your dose or suggest taking your tablets less often (for example, every other day) if you’re having side effects. This can help treat autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, which are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body.
If you have indigestion or other stomach problems after starting steroids, then alcohol is likely to add to the problem, so you may want to cut back on how much alcohol you drink. If you have any questions or concerns about this, talk to the healthcare professional who prescribed your steroids. Your doctor, rheumatology nurse or pharmacist should give you a steroid card if you need one.
Corticosteroids can decrease the effectiveness of medications used to treat diabetes. If you want to check that your medicines are safe to take with your medication, ask your Pharmacist or GP. A high dose of inhaled steroids can sometimes cause more serious side effects but this is rare. Corticosteroids are powerful medications that can sometimes have side effects.
The HIV medication may increase the level of corticosteroid in your body. There is less chance of this happening with steroid injections or sprays. However, it can occasionally happen if they’re used at high doses and for a long time.
They’re different from anabolic steroids, which are often used illegally by some people to increase their muscle mass. Steroids, also called corticosteroids, are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat a range of conditions. This is a card which lets healthcare professionals and emergency workers know you are prescribed a steroid and has the details of your medicine and dose.
Corticosteroids can also be used to replace certain hormones that aren’t naturally produced by the body. You’re less likely to get side effects from taking steroid tablets for less than three weeks. Your steroid preventer inhaler is unlikely to cause side effects, especially if you’re using your inhaler correctly.
