Common Uses:Off Label Uses:Side Effects:
The major side effects of the glucocorticoids are hypertension, peptic ulcers.
The name glucocorticoid derives from early observations that these hormones were involved in glucose metabolism. In the fasted state, cortisol stimulates several processes that collectively serve to increase and maintain normal concentrations of glucose in blood. These effects include: A hormone (from Greek horman - to set in motion) is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. Cortisol is a corticosteroid hormone that is involved in the response to stress; it increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels and suppresses the immune system.

Stimulation of gluconeogenesis, particularly in the liver: This pathway results in the synthesis of glucose from non-hexose substrates such as amino acids and lipids and is particularly important in carnivores and certain herbivores. Enhancing the expression of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis is probably the best known metabolic function of glucocorticoids.
Mobilization of amino acids from extrahepatic tissues: These serve as substrates for gluconeogenesis.
Inhibition of glucose uptake in muscle and adipose tissue: A mechanism to conserve glucose.
Stimulation of fat breakdown in adipose tissue: The fatty acids released by lipolysis are used for production of energy in tissues like muscle, and the released glycerol provide another substrate for gluconeogenesis.

Cautions / Warnings:Drug Interactions:
Drug interaction of prednylidene variety of synthetic glucocorticoids, some far more potent than cortisol, have been created for therapeutic use. They differ in the pharmacokinetics (absorption factor, half-life, volume of distribution, clearance) and in pharmacodynamics (for example the capacity of mineralocorticoid activity: retention of sodium (Na+) and water; see also: renal physiology). Because they absorb well through the intestines, they are primarily administered per os (by mouth), but also by other ways like topically on skin. More than 90 per cent of them bind different plasma proteins, however with a different binding specificity. Endogenous glucocorticoids and some synthetic corticoids have high affinity to the protein transcortin (also called CBG, corticosteroid binding protein), while all of them bind albumin. In the liver, they quickly metabolise by conjugation with a sulfate or glucuronic acid and are secreted in the urine.