Corticosteroids overdose?
DefinitionCorticosteroids are a type of anti-inflammatory medicine. Corticosteroid overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.Corticosteroids come in many forms, including:Creams and ointments that are applied to the skinInhaled forms that are breathed into the nose or lungsPills or liquids that are swallowedInjected formulas delivered to the skin, joints, muscles, or veinsMost corticosteroid overdoses occur with pills and liquids.This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.Poisonous IngredientAlclometasone dipropionateAmcinonideAugmented betamethasone dipropionateBeclomethasone dipropionateBetamethasoneBetamethasone benzoateBetamethasone dipropionateBetamethasone sodium phosphateBetamethasone valerateClobetasol propionateClocortolone pivalateCortisoneDesonideDesoximetasoneDexamethasoneDexamethasone acetateDexamethasone sodium phosphateDiflorasone acetonideDiflorasone diacetateFlunisolideFluocinolone acetonideFluocinonideFluocinolone acetonideFlurandrenolideFluticasone propionateHalcinonideHalobetasol propionateHydrocortisoneHydrocortisone acetateHydrocortisone butyrateHydrocortisone sodium phosphateHydrocortisone valerateMethylprednisoloneMethylprednisolone acetateMethylprednisolone sodium succinateMometasone furoatePrednisolone acetatePrednisolone sodium phosphatePrednisolone tebutatePrednisoneTriamcinoloneTriamcinolone acetonideTriamcinolone diacetateTriamcinolone hexacetonideNote: This list may not be all inclusive.Where FoundAlclometasone dipropionate (Delonal)Augmented betamethasone dipropionate (Deprolene)Beclomethasone dipropionate (Diprosone)Betamethasone sodium phosphate (Celestone)Betamethasone valerate (Valisone)Clobetasol propionate (Temovate)Clocortolone pivalate (Cloderm)Desonide (DesOwen, Tridesilon)Desoximetasone (Topicort)Dexamethasone (Decadron)Fluocinonide (Lidex)Flunisolide (AeroBid)Fluocinolone acetonide (Synalar)Flurandrenolide (Cordran)Fluticasone propionate (Cutivate)Halcinonide (Halog)Hydrocortisone (Cortef)Hydrocortisone sodium phosphate (Solu-Cortef)Hydrocortisone valerate (Westcort)Methylprednisolone (Medrol)Methylprednisolone sodium succinate (Solu-Medrol)Mometasone furoate (Elocon)Prednisolone sodium phosphate (Pred Fonte)Prednisone (Deltasone)Triamcinolone acetonide (Aristocort)Note: This list may not be all inclusive.SymptomsSymptoms of corticosteroid overdose can include:Burning or itching skinConvulsionsDeafnessDepressionDry skinHigh blood pressureMuscle weaknessNervousnessPsychosisSleepinessStopping of menstrual cycleSwelling in lower legs, ankles, or feetWeaknessWorsening of health conditions such as ulcers, diabetesBefore Calling EmergencyDetermine the following information:Patient's age, weight, and condition (for example, is the person awake or alert?)Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)Time it was swallowedAmount swallowedHowever, DO NOT delay calling for help if this information is not immediately available.Poison Control, or a local emergency numberThe National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.See: Poison control center - emergency numberWhat to expect at the emergency roomThe health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:Activated charcoalEKGFluids through a vein (by IV)LaxativeMedications to treat fluid and electrolyte changesTube through the mouth into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)Expectations (prognosis)Most cases of corticosteroid overdose result in relatively minor fluid and electrolyte changes. If the problem is severe enough to cause heart rhythm disturbances, the outlook may be more grave.ReferencesNikkanen HE, Shannon MW. Endocrine toxicology. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 16.
