Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewAnabolic SteroidsCorticosteroidsBenefits and RisksFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Overview

Anabolic Steroids

Corticosteroids

Benefits and Risks

Frequently Asked Questions

Corticosteroids refer to a class of drugs used to treatinflammatory arthritisand other inflammatory conditions. Because they are commonly referred to as “steroids,” people often believe them to be the same thing as anabolic steroids, which are used to boost strength and physical performance. However, while they share some molecular properties, the two are quite different.

The word “steroid” is a broad-ranging term used to describe any compound with a specific molecular structure—in this case, composed of four fused rings of 17 carbon atoms. The function of steroids is to either maintain the integrity of a cell’s membrane or activate a receptor on a cell’s surface to regulate how it behaves.

There are many different types of steroids found in nature, broadly classified as:

Anabolic steroids are synthetic variations of natural male sex hormones (androgens). They are used to promote the growth of skeletal muscle (the anabolic effect) and the development of male sexual characteristics (the androgenic effect).

The long-term abuse of anabolic steroids can lead to serious health consequences, including:

Corticosteroid drugs commonly prescribed in the United States include:

These drugs are available under various brand names and formulations.

Corticosteroid Drugs for Inflammation

Corticosteroids are powerful drugs that can quickly reduce inflammation while enhancing recovery. With that being said, the overuse of the drugs can cause serious and sometimes contradictory side effects, including:

To maximize benefits, corticosteroids are prescribed in the lowest possible dose over the shortest period of time to achieve the best possible outcome.

If used for longer periods, corticosteroid drugs must be gradually tapered off to allow the adrenal gland to gradually take over its normal function. Stopping too quickly can result in withdrawal symptoms and a potentially life-threatening adrenal crisis.

A Word From Verywell

If your treatment plan involves the use of corticosteroid drugs, always weigh the benefits and risks with your healthcare provider. Depending on your health status, other options may deliver the same relief with far less risk.

In the end, it is often best to reserve corticosteroids for later use, when the need for the drugs may be far greater.

However, colloquially, the term steroid often refers to anabolic steroids, which athletes and bodybuilders use to boost strength and physical performance. Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.

Corticosteroids can be delivered in different ways. Most commonly, they come in oral, inhaled, and topical formulations.Oral corticosteroids include:Celestone (betamethasone)Cortef (hydrocortisone)CortisoneDecadron (dexamethasone)PrednisonePrednisoloneMedrol (methylprednisolone)Inhaled corticosteroids include:FlunisolideAlvesco (ciclesonide)Asmanex (mometasone)FluticasonePulmicort (budesonide)Qvar (beclometasone)Topical corticosteroids include:Aclovate (alclometasone 0.05%)Cordran (flurandrenolide 0.05%)Cutivate (fluticasone 0.05%)Dermovate (clobetasol 0.05%)Diprolene (betamethasone 0.25%)Elocon (mometasone 0.1%)Hydrocortisone 1%Kenolog (triamcinonone 0.5%)Desonide 0.05%

Corticosteroids can be delivered in different ways. Most commonly, they come in oral, inhaled, and topical formulations.

Oral corticosteroids include:

Inhaled corticosteroids include:

Topical corticosteroids include:

Corticosteroids have three main therapeutic uses: anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and vasoconstrictive.As an anti-inflammatory, corticosteroids block the production of inflammation-triggering prostaglandins. This relieves redness, swelling, and pain.As an immunosuppressive, corticosteroids suppress the immune system and commonly treat autoimmune diseases. Corticosteroids impair the production of T-cells.As a vasoconstrictive, corticosteroids block the inflammatory compound histidine. This reduces mucus secretions that cause respiratory congestion.

Corticosteroids have three main therapeutic uses: anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and vasoconstrictive.

As an anti-inflammatory, corticosteroids block the production of inflammation-triggering prostaglandins. This relieves redness, swelling, and pain.

As an immunosuppressive, corticosteroids suppress the immune system and commonly treat autoimmune diseases. Corticosteroids impair the production of T-cells.

As a vasoconstrictive, corticosteroids block the inflammatory compound histidine. This reduces mucus secretions that cause respiratory congestion.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rasheed A, Qasim M.A review of natural steroids and their applications.Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2013;4(2):520-531.Cesari M, Incalzi RA, Zamboni V, Pahor M.Vitamin D hormone: a multitude of actions potentially influencing the physical function decline in older persons.Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2011;11(2):133-142. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0594.2010.00668.xSultan A.Steroids: a diverse class of secondary metabolites.Med Chem. 2015;5(7). doi:10.4172/2161-0444.1000279Ross A, Bhasin S.Hypogonadism: its prevalence and diagnosis.Urol Clin North Am. 2016;43(2):163-176. doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2016.01.002Osta R, Almont T, Diligent C, Hubert N, Eschwège P, Hubert J.Anabolic steroids abuse and male infertility.Basic Clin Androl. 2016;26:2. doi:10.1186/s12610-016-0029-4NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the side effects of anabolic steroid misuse?NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are anabolic steroids?Ramamoorthy S, Cidlowski JA.Corticosteroids: mechanisms of action in health and disease.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2016;42(1):15-31, vii. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.08.002Williams DM.Clinical pharmacology of corticosteroids.Respir Care. 2018;63(6):655-670. doi:10.4187/respcare.06314Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al.A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013;9(1):30. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-30Fok JS, Yong, TY, Yuanzhi, J.Spontaneous unilateral achilles tendon rupture with corticosteroid use for microscopic polyangiitis.J Med Cases. 2013;4(5):304-306. doi:10.4021/jmc1270eAdditional ReadingBroersen LHA, Pereira AM, Jørgensen JOL, Dekkers OM.Adrenal insufficiency in corticosteroids use: systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(6):2171-2180. doi:100(6):2171-2180Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Corticosteroids.Fardet L, Cabane J, Lebbé C, Morel P, Flahault A.Incidence and risk factors for corticosteroid-induced lipodystrophy: a prospective study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(4):604-609. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.04.018Gullett NP, Hebbar G, Ziegler TR.Update on clinical trials of growth factors and anabolic steroids in cachexia and wasting.Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(4):1143S-1147S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.28608ELeukemia & Lymphoma Society.Corticosteroids.Ng Tang Fui M, Prendergast LA, et al.Effects of testosterone treatment on body fat and lean mass in obese men on a hypocaloric diet: a randomised controlled trial.BMC Med. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0700-9Niedfeldt, MW.Anabolic steroid effect on the liver.Curr Sports Med Rep. 2018;17(3):97-102. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000467O’Donnell S, O’Morain CA.Therapeutic benefits of budesonide in gastroenterology.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2010;1(4):177-186. doi:10.1177/2040622310379293Pufall, MA.Glucocorticoids and cancer.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2015;872:315-333. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2895-8_14Waljee AK, Rogers MAM, Lin P, et al.Short term use of oral corticosteroids and related harms among adults in the United States: population based cohort study.BMJ. 2017;357:j1415. doi:10.1136/bmj.j1415Yu J, Bonnerud P, Eriksson A, Stål PS, Tegner Y, Malm C.Effects of long term supplementation of anabolic androgen steroids on human skeletal muscle.PLOS ONE. 2014;9(9):e105330. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105330

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rasheed A, Qasim M.A review of natural steroids and their applications.Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2013;4(2):520-531.Cesari M, Incalzi RA, Zamboni V, Pahor M.Vitamin D hormone: a multitude of actions potentially influencing the physical function decline in older persons.Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2011;11(2):133-142. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0594.2010.00668.xSultan A.Steroids: a diverse class of secondary metabolites.Med Chem. 2015;5(7). doi:10.4172/2161-0444.1000279Ross A, Bhasin S.Hypogonadism: its prevalence and diagnosis.Urol Clin North Am. 2016;43(2):163-176. doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2016.01.002Osta R, Almont T, Diligent C, Hubert N, Eschwège P, Hubert J.Anabolic steroids abuse and male infertility.Basic Clin Androl. 2016;26:2. doi:10.1186/s12610-016-0029-4NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the side effects of anabolic steroid misuse?NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are anabolic steroids?Ramamoorthy S, Cidlowski JA.Corticosteroids: mechanisms of action in health and disease.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2016;42(1):15-31, vii. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.08.002Williams DM.Clinical pharmacology of corticosteroids.Respir Care. 2018;63(6):655-670. doi:10.4187/respcare.06314Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al.A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013;9(1):30. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-30Fok JS, Yong, TY, Yuanzhi, J.Spontaneous unilateral achilles tendon rupture with corticosteroid use for microscopic polyangiitis.J Med Cases. 2013;4(5):304-306. doi:10.4021/jmc1270eAdditional ReadingBroersen LHA, Pereira AM, Jørgensen JOL, Dekkers OM.Adrenal insufficiency in corticosteroids use: systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(6):2171-2180. doi:100(6):2171-2180Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Corticosteroids.Fardet L, Cabane J, Lebbé C, Morel P, Flahault A.Incidence and risk factors for corticosteroid-induced lipodystrophy: a prospective study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(4):604-609. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.04.018Gullett NP, Hebbar G, Ziegler TR.Update on clinical trials of growth factors and anabolic steroids in cachexia and wasting.Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(4):1143S-1147S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.28608ELeukemia & Lymphoma Society.Corticosteroids.Ng Tang Fui M, Prendergast LA, et al.Effects of testosterone treatment on body fat and lean mass in obese men on a hypocaloric diet: a randomised controlled trial.BMC Med. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0700-9Niedfeldt, MW.Anabolic steroid effect on the liver.Curr Sports Med Rep. 2018;17(3):97-102. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000467O’Donnell S, O’Morain CA.Therapeutic benefits of budesonide in gastroenterology.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2010;1(4):177-186. doi:10.1177/2040622310379293Pufall, MA.Glucocorticoids and cancer.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2015;872:315-333. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2895-8_14Waljee AK, Rogers MAM, Lin P, et al.Short term use of oral corticosteroids and related harms among adults in the United States: population based cohort study.BMJ. 2017;357:j1415. doi:10.1136/bmj.j1415Yu J, Bonnerud P, Eriksson A, Stål PS, Tegner Y, Malm C.Effects of long term supplementation of anabolic androgen steroids on human skeletal muscle.PLOS ONE. 2014;9(9):e105330. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105330

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rasheed A, Qasim M.A review of natural steroids and their applications.Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2013;4(2):520-531.Cesari M, Incalzi RA, Zamboni V, Pahor M.Vitamin D hormone: a multitude of actions potentially influencing the physical function decline in older persons.Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2011;11(2):133-142. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0594.2010.00668.xSultan A.Steroids: a diverse class of secondary metabolites.Med Chem. 2015;5(7). doi:10.4172/2161-0444.1000279Ross A, Bhasin S.Hypogonadism: its prevalence and diagnosis.Urol Clin North Am. 2016;43(2):163-176. doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2016.01.002Osta R, Almont T, Diligent C, Hubert N, Eschwège P, Hubert J.Anabolic steroids abuse and male infertility.Basic Clin Androl. 2016;26:2. doi:10.1186/s12610-016-0029-4NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the side effects of anabolic steroid misuse?NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are anabolic steroids?Ramamoorthy S, Cidlowski JA.Corticosteroids: mechanisms of action in health and disease.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2016;42(1):15-31, vii. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.08.002Williams DM.Clinical pharmacology of corticosteroids.Respir Care. 2018;63(6):655-670. doi:10.4187/respcare.06314Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al.A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013;9(1):30. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-30Fok JS, Yong, TY, Yuanzhi, J.Spontaneous unilateral achilles tendon rupture with corticosteroid use for microscopic polyangiitis.J Med Cases. 2013;4(5):304-306. doi:10.4021/jmc1270e

Rasheed A, Qasim M.A review of natural steroids and their applications.Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2013;4(2):520-531.

Cesari M, Incalzi RA, Zamboni V, Pahor M.Vitamin D hormone: a multitude of actions potentially influencing the physical function decline in older persons.Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2011;11(2):133-142. doi:10.1111/j.1447-0594.2010.00668.x

Sultan A.Steroids: a diverse class of secondary metabolites.Med Chem. 2015;5(7). doi:10.4172/2161-0444.1000279

Ross A, Bhasin S.Hypogonadism: its prevalence and diagnosis.Urol Clin North Am. 2016;43(2):163-176. doi:10.1016/j.ucl.2016.01.002

Osta R, Almont T, Diligent C, Hubert N, Eschwège P, Hubert J.Anabolic steroids abuse and male infertility.Basic Clin Androl. 2016;26:2. doi:10.1186/s12610-016-0029-4

NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are the side effects of anabolic steroid misuse?

NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse.What are anabolic steroids?

Ramamoorthy S, Cidlowski JA.Corticosteroids: mechanisms of action in health and disease.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2016;42(1):15-31, vii. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.08.002

Williams DM.Clinical pharmacology of corticosteroids.Respir Care. 2018;63(6):655-670. doi:10.4187/respcare.06314

Liu D, Ahmet A, Ward L, et al.A practical guide to the monitoring and management of the complications of systemic corticosteroid therapy.Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013;9(1):30. doi:10.1186/1710-1492-9-30

Fok JS, Yong, TY, Yuanzhi, J.Spontaneous unilateral achilles tendon rupture with corticosteroid use for microscopic polyangiitis.J Med Cases. 2013;4(5):304-306. doi:10.4021/jmc1270e

Broersen LHA, Pereira AM, Jørgensen JOL, Dekkers OM.Adrenal insufficiency in corticosteroids use: systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(6):2171-2180. doi:100(6):2171-2180Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Corticosteroids.Fardet L, Cabane J, Lebbé C, Morel P, Flahault A.Incidence and risk factors for corticosteroid-induced lipodystrophy: a prospective study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(4):604-609. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.04.018Gullett NP, Hebbar G, Ziegler TR.Update on clinical trials of growth factors and anabolic steroids in cachexia and wasting.Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(4):1143S-1147S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.28608ELeukemia & Lymphoma Society.Corticosteroids.Ng Tang Fui M, Prendergast LA, et al.Effects of testosterone treatment on body fat and lean mass in obese men on a hypocaloric diet: a randomised controlled trial.BMC Med. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0700-9Niedfeldt, MW.Anabolic steroid effect on the liver.Curr Sports Med Rep. 2018;17(3):97-102. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000467O’Donnell S, O’Morain CA.Therapeutic benefits of budesonide in gastroenterology.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2010;1(4):177-186. doi:10.1177/2040622310379293Pufall, MA.Glucocorticoids and cancer.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2015;872:315-333. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2895-8_14Waljee AK, Rogers MAM, Lin P, et al.Short term use of oral corticosteroids and related harms among adults in the United States: population based cohort study.BMJ. 2017;357:j1415. doi:10.1136/bmj.j1415Yu J, Bonnerud P, Eriksson A, Stål PS, Tegner Y, Malm C.Effects of long term supplementation of anabolic androgen steroids on human skeletal muscle.PLOS ONE. 2014;9(9):e105330. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105330

Broersen LHA, Pereira AM, Jørgensen JOL, Dekkers OM.Adrenal insufficiency in corticosteroids use: systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015;100(6):2171-2180. doi:100(6):2171-2180

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.Corticosteroids.

Fardet L, Cabane J, Lebbé C, Morel P, Flahault A.Incidence and risk factors for corticosteroid-induced lipodystrophy: a prospective study.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;57(4):604-609. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.04.018

Gullett NP, Hebbar G, Ziegler TR.Update on clinical trials of growth factors and anabolic steroids in cachexia and wasting.Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(4):1143S-1147S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2010.28608E

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.Corticosteroids.

Ng Tang Fui M, Prendergast LA, et al.Effects of testosterone treatment on body fat and lean mass in obese men on a hypocaloric diet: a randomised controlled trial.BMC Med. 2016;14(1). doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0700-9

Niedfeldt, MW.Anabolic steroid effect on the liver.Curr Sports Med Rep. 2018;17(3):97-102. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000467

O’Donnell S, O’Morain CA.Therapeutic benefits of budesonide in gastroenterology.Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2010;1(4):177-186. doi:10.1177/2040622310379293

Pufall, MA.Glucocorticoids and cancer.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2015;872:315-333. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2895-8_14

Waljee AK, Rogers MAM, Lin P, et al.Short term use of oral corticosteroids and related harms among adults in the United States: population based cohort study.BMJ. 2017;357:j1415. doi:10.1136/bmj.j1415

Yu J, Bonnerud P, Eriksson A, Stål PS, Tegner Y, Malm C.Effects of long term supplementation of anabolic androgen steroids on human skeletal muscle.PLOS ONE. 2014;9(9):e105330. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0105330

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?