MULTIPLE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF BETAMETHASONE USED AS SELF-MEDICATION: A CASE REPORT
Abstract
Â
Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed as anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant and replacement therapy. Adverse effects of corticosteroids are
widely recognized. However, due to easy availability and relief offered, they are identified as one of the oral drugs abused by the patients. Here, we
describe a case of multiple adverse effects with long-term use of corticosteroid in a single patient used as self-medication. Hypothalamic pituitary
adrenal axis suppression, hypertension, osteopenia, hypothyroidism, cushingoid features, lymphocytopenia were the adverse effects, which were
suspected to be induced by oral betamethasone that was prescribed initially for exacerbation of intermittent breathlessness in a patient suffering
from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Keywords: Betamethasone, Hypertension, Hypothyroidism, Osteopenia and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis suppression.
Downloads
References
Boushey HA. Drugs used in asthma. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New York: Tata McGraw-Hill; 2009. p. 347.
Rubin B, Palestine AG. Complications of corticosteroid and immunosuppressive drugs. Int Ophthalmol Clin 1989;29(3):159-71.
Jasani KM, Boyle JA, Dick WC, Williamson J, Taylor AK, Buchanan WW. Corticosteroid-induced hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression. Prospective study using two regimens of corticosteroid therapy. Ann Rheum Dis 1968;27(4):352-9.
Niitsuma T, Okita M, Sakurai K, Morita S, Tsuyuguchi M, Matsumura Y, et al. Adrenal function as assessed by low-dose adrenocorticotropin hormone test before and after switching from inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate to inhaled fluticasone propionate. J Asthma 2003;40(5):515-22.
Kaliner MA. Pharmacologic characteristics and adrenal suppression with newer inhaled corticosteroids: A comparison of ciclesonide and fluticasone propionate. Clin Ther 2006;28(3):319-31.
Fardon TC, Lee DK, Haggart K, McFarlane LC, Lipworth BJ. Adrenal suppression with dry powder formulations of fluticasone propionate and mometasone furoate. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2004;170(9):960‑6.
Barnes NC. The properties of inhaled corticosteroids: Similarities and differences. Prim Care Respir J 2007;16(3):149-54.
Canalis E. Mechanisms of glucocorticoid action in bone. Curr Osteoporos Rep 2005;3(3):98-102.
Baum M, Moe OW. Glucocorticoid-mediated hypertension: Does the vascular smooth muscle hold all the answers? J Am Soc Nephrol 2008;19(7):1251-3.
Goodwin JE, Zhang J, Geller DS: A critical role for vascular smooth muscle in acute glucocorticoid induced hypertension. J Am Soc Nephrol; 2008; 19: 1291-9.
Barnes PJ. Pulmonary pharmacology. In: Bruton LL, Lazo JS, Parker KL, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 12th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2006. p. 1050.
Wilber JF, Utiger RD. The effect of glucocorticoids on thyrotropin secretion. J Clin Invest 1969;48(11):2096-103.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
The publication is licensed under CC By and is open access. Copyright is with author and allowed to retain publishing rights without restrictions.