The document discusses corticosteroids and anabolic steroids. Corticosteroids are produced in the adrenal cortex and include glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. They regulate processes like stress response, immune response, and inflammation. Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone that promote muscle and bone growth. Both have important therapeutic uses but also carry health risks with prolonged or improper use such as infections, liver damage, and psychological side effects.

1. STEROIDS
&
ANABOLIC STEROIDS
By: Mrs. Kalaivani Sathish,
Asst Professor,
PIMS - Panipat

2. INTRODUCTION
• Corticosteroids are a class of steroid
hormones that are produced in the
adrenal cortex.
• Corticosteroids includes natural
glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids,
and their synthetic analogues.

3. Functions of Steroids
• Stress response
• Immune response
• Regulation of inflammation
• Carbohydrate metabolism
• Protein catabolism
• Blood electrolyte level maintenance
• Control of behavior

4. Biosynthesis
• Synthesis of steroids are from adrenal cortical
cells from cholesterol.
• Adrenal cortex is divided into three zones
– Zona glomerulosa – mineralocorticoids such as
aldosterone, which regulates sodium and water are
produced.
– Zona fasiculata – glucocorticoids such as
hydrocortisone and corticosterone, which regulates
carbohydrate and protein metabolism and Na+ &
H20 balance are produced.

5. Biosynthesis (Cont..)
– Zona reticularis– involved in the biosynthesis of
androgens.
STEROIDS CLASSIFICATIONS
Mineralocorticoids (Cortisone, Fludrocortisone)
Glucocorticoids (Betamethasone,
Methylprednisolone)
Sex Steroids (Estrogen, Progestins)

6. MECHANISM OF
ACTION• Steroids in blood binds to transcortin
• Glucocorticods molecules binds to
cytoplasmic receptor protein
• Structural changes occurs in receptor
steroid Complex
• Migration of steroid complex into nucleus

7. MECHANISM OF ACTION
• Binding of glucocorticoid response
elements on the chromatin.
• Suppression of genes
• Genes inhibition contributes to their anti-
inflammatory & Immunosuppressive
action.

8. PHARMACOLOGIC ACTION
• Carbohydrate and Protein Metabolism
• Fat Metabolism – promotes lipolysis
• Calcium metabolism & water excretion
• Cardiovascular – permissive effects
• Skeletal muscles – weakness in case of hypo
and hypercorticism
• CNS – Precipitates seizure in epileptic patients.
• Stomach – increased secretion of gastric acid
and pepsin.

9. PHARMACOLOGIC ACTION
• Hemopoitic System - ↑se in number of
RBC’s & Platelets, but decrease in
lymphocytes, eosinophills and basophils.
• Inflammatory Response– reduction of
phagocytic activity.
• Immunologic and allergic response –
Suppresses all types of allergic phenomenon
and hypersensitization.

10. Pharmacokinetics
• Absorption – effective in oral route, acts rapidly
by IV / IM.
• Bioavailability – oral bioavailability of synthetic
corticosteroids are high.
• Plasma protein binding is 90 %.
• Metabolism by hepatic microsomal enzymes.
• Excretion – urine
• Distribution – widely distributed – 10L/Kg
• Plasma t ½ - 66 minutes.

11. Preparations & Doses
• Synthetic steroids have largely replaced the
natural compounds in therapeutic use
because they are potent, longer acting and
more selective for glucocorticoid /
mineralocorticoid actions.

12. Preparations & Doses
(Glucocorticoids)
Category Compound
Short Acting (t1/2 <12h) Hydrocortisone (cortisol)
Intermediate acting (t1/2 12 – 36 h) Prednisolone
Methylprednisolone
Long acting (t1/2 > 36 h) Dexamethasone
Betamethasone

13. Doses & Routes
(Glucocorticoids)
Category Compound
Short Acting (t1/2 <12h) Hydrocortisone (cortisol) 20 mg, 100 mg
Oral, IV
Intermediate acting (t1/2 12 – 36 h) Prednisolone 5 – 60 mg / day oral, IM
Methylprednisolone 4 – 32 mg, Oral, IV
Long acting (t1/2 > 36 h) Dexamethasone 0.5 – 5 mg / day oral,
IV, IM
Betamethasone 0.5 – 5 mg / day oral,
IV, IM

14. Doses & Routes
(Mineralocorticoids)
Category Compound
Mineralocorticoids Desoxycortisone 2 – 5 mg once or twice
weekly, sublingual, IM
Aldosterone
(Aldosterone is not used clinically)

15. Indications
– Replacement Therapy: Acute adrenal insufficiency,
Chronic adrenal insufficiency and congenital adrenal
hyperplasia.
– Pharmacotherapy: Collagen disease, Arthritis, Severe
allergic reactions, Autoimmune disease, Bronchial
asthma, Infective diseases, Eye diseases, Skin diseases,
intestinal diseases, cerebral edema, Malignancies,
Organ transplantation and skin alograft, septic shock,
thyroid storm.

16. CONTRA INDICATIONS
ABSOLUTE
• Hypersensitivity
• Cushing syndrome
• Herpes Ocular Infections
RELATIVE
• Peptic ulcer
• DM and HTN
• Viral and fungal infections
• TB
• Osteoporosis
• Psychosis
• Epilepsy
• CHF
• Renal failure

17. ADVERSE EFFECTS
• Occurs usually with prolonged therapy
• Mineralocorticoids
• Na and water retention, edema,
hypokalemic alkalosis and HTN.
• Glucocorticoids
• Cushing habitus – Characterized by moon
like face, accumulation of fat in the truncal
region.

18. ADVERSE EFFECTS
• Glucocorticoids
• Hyperglycemia and Glycosuria
• Myopathy & Muscle
• Susceptibility to infections
• Peptic ulceration
• Osteoporosis
• Glaucoma
• Growth retardation in children
• Fetal abnormality (IUGR)

19. NURSES ROLE
• Check vital signs, lung sounds, BP and
weight.
• Conduct MSE, to assess for depression,
withdrawal, Insomnia and anorexia.
• Advise regular opthalmic examination
• Check stool for occult blood periodically.
• Administer suitable antibiotics as
prescribed.
•

20. ANABOLIC
STEROIDS

21. DEFINITION
• These are androgens with anabolic
properties and are rarely prescribed., but
are commonly abused by athletes in an
attempt to enhance performance.
• They are developed in replace of androgens.

22. MECHANISM OF
ACTION
• Testosterone is converted to active metabolite
dihydrotestosterone
• Increased synthesis of RNA & Cellular protein
• Stimulate growth of muscle, bone, skin and
hair and accelerate closure of epiphyses at ends
of long bones. (↑ed the RBC production)

23. • Indications
– Growth and development retardation.
– Ulcerative colitis
– Osteoporosis
– Aplastic anemia
– After trauma & surgery
– Prolonged immobilization
• Contra Indications
• Pregnancy, Lactation, CHF, Renal failure,
Liver failure and prostate enlargement.

24. • Adverse Effects
• Hepatotoxicity
• Hepatitis B & C
• Abusers of anabolic steroids use same needles so risk of
HIV / AIDS.
• Nurses Role
• Do not administer for more than 90 days.
• Assess the client for Liver function edema, weight gain
and skin changes
• Evaluate the client for signs of depression.
• Warm and shake vials before administer to prevent
crystals. Administer in deep into gluteal muscles