|
|
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids provide a range of effects including mood elevation, anti-inflammatory activity, antiemetic activity, and appetite stimulation. These effects may be beneficial in the management of cachexia and anorexia in terminal illness.74 They also reduce cerebral and spinal cord edema and are essential in the emergency management of elevated intracranial pressure and epidural spinal cord compression. Steroids are part of the standard therapy for tumor-induced spinal cord compression,78 and they are effective in reducing pain due to perineural edema and pressure on nerves. Dexamethasone (16 to 24 mg/day) or prednisone (60 to 100 mg/day) may be added to opioids for the management of pain in bronchial or lumbosacral plexopathy. Undesirable effects such as myopathy, hyperglycemia, weight gain, and dysphoria may occur during prolonged steroid therapy.
Go to the Adjuvant Drugs Menu
Go to the Pharmacologic Management of Pain in HIV/AIDS Menu
Go to the Pain & HIV/AIDS Menu
Go to the HIVpositive.us Main Menu
74