|
• Treat pre-existing comorbid conditions that may increase risk of GC-associated AEs
|
|
• Prescribe lowest effective GC dose for minimum period of time required to achieve treatment goals
|
|
• Administer as single daily dose (given in the morning), if possible
|
|
• Consider intermittent or alternate-day dosing, if possible
|
|
• Use GC-sparing agents whenever possible (e.g., omalizumab in severe asthma, azathioprine/cyclophosphamide in vasculitis, methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis)
|
|
• Advise patients to:
|
|
▪ Carry a steroid treatment card
|
|
▪ Seek medical attention if they experience mood or behavioural changes
|
|
▪ Avoid contact with persons that have infections, such as shingles, chickenpox, or measles (unless they are immune)
|
|
▪ Not discontinue GC therapy abruptly unless advised to do so by their physician
|
|
▪ Adopt lifestyle recommendations to minimize the risk of weight gain or other AEs:
|
|
▫ Eat a healthy balanced diet, including adequate calcium intake
|
|
▫ Smoking cessation
|
|
▫ Reduction in alcohol consumption
|
|
▫ Regular physical activity
|
|
• Regularly monitor for signs/symptoms of AEs
|
