Advise Patients to Report Psychiatric Effects With Steroids

December 2014

Many patients don't realize that corticosteroids can cause psychiatric effects...especially in high doses.

Changing endogenous cortisol levels can lead to anxiety, insomnia, mania, psychosis, delirium, depression, and other psychiatric effects.

These effects occur in about 1% of patients on oral prednisone ≤ 40 mg/day...compared to 5% on 41 to 80 mg/day and 18% on > 80 mg/day.

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Table of Contents

Respiratory & Allergy Use the "Rule of Two" to Help Improve Asthma Care
Gastroenterology Explain it May Take 3 to 5 Days to Feel the Full Effect of Olex
Hepatitis C Watch for Acid-Reducer Interactions With New Hep C Med Harvoni
Opioids Suggest an NSAID Instead of Opioids for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Diabetes Remind Patients to Gently Mix "Cloudy" Insulins...Even in Pens
Women's Health Point Out IUDs are the Most Effective Contraceptive
Corticosteroids Advise Patients to Report Psychiatric Effects With Steroids
Influenza Save Flu Antivirals for Severely Ill or High-Risk Patients
Diarrhea Tell Patients There's Not Much Evidence That Travelanis Effective
Cannabinoids Advise Against Medical Marijuana for Low Back Pain or Fibromyalgia
Wound Care Don't Assume Expensive Wound Dressings Work Better
Infection Control Use Soap and Water After C. difficile or Norovirus Exposure
Antithrombotics Emphasize Daily Adherence With the New Oral Anticoagulants After Cardioversion