What are adrenal corticosteroids (steroids), and when and why are they used?
Prednisone, Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone: When 5-ASA drugs fail or when symptoms are more severe, the next therapeutic step usually involves steroids which are very powerful anti-inflammatory drugs. These are available in oral, enema, or suppository forms. The topical forms are useful in treating distal colitis, the oral forms are useful for achieving remission in mild to moderate active UC and CD. They are NOT useful for continued use in order to maintain a remission. The oral forms can, however, be effective in suppressing active CD to the point where it appears to be in remission.
