ATC Group: H02AB Glucocorticoids

Betamethasone is a glucocorticoid which is about eight to ten times as active as prednisolone on a weight-for-weight basis. Betamethasone has anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, and vasoconstrictive properties.

Cortisone is a man-made version of a natural hormone called cortisol (corticosteroid hormone). It is a naturally-occurring corticosteroid metabolite that is also used as a pharmaceutical prodrug. Cortisol is converted by the action of the enzyme corticosteroid 11-beta-dehydrogenase isozyme 2 into the inactive metabolite cortisone, particularly in the kidneys. This is done by oxidizing the alcohol group at carbon 11 (in the six-membered ring fused to the five-membered ring). Cortisone is converted back to the active steroid cortisol by stereospecific hydrogenation at carbon 11 by the enzyme 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, particularly in the liver. Cortisol decreases your body’s natural defensive response and reduces symptoms such as swelling and allergic-type reactions. This medication is used to treat conditions such as arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorders, allergic reactions, certain skin and eye conditions, breathing problems, and certain cancers.

Deflazacort is a glucocorticoid. Its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects are used in treating a variety of diseases and are comparable to other anti-inflammatory steroids.

Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid; it combines high anti-inflammatory effects with low mineralocorticoid activity. It has an approximately 7 times greater anti-inflammatory potency than prednisolone, another commonly prescribed corticosteroid. At high doses it reduces the immune response.

Fluocortolone pivalate inhibits inflammatory and allergic skin reactions, and alleviates subjective complaints such as pruritus, smarting, and pain. The substance reduces dilatation of the capillaries, oedema of the interstitial cells and infiltration of the tissues. Capillary multiplication is inhibited.

Hydrocortisone is the main glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid. Its anti-inflammatory action is due to reduction in the vascular component of the inflammatory response and reduction in the formation of inflammatory fluid and cellular exudates.

Methylprednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid and a methyl derivative of prednisolone. Methylprednisolone is a potent anti-inflammatory agent with the capacity to profoundly inhibit the immune system.

Prednisolone is a glucocorticoid which has anti-inflammatory activity. Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone), which also have salt-retaining properties, are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. Their synthetic analogs are primarily used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.

Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating properties. After cell surface receptor attachment and cell entry, prednisone enters the nucleus where it binds to and activates specific nuclear receptors, resulting in an altered gene expression and inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production. This agent also decreases the number of circulating lymphocytes, induces cell differentiation, and stimulates apoptosis in sensitive tumor cell populations.

Rimexolone is a corticosteroid drug. Placebo controlled clinical studies demonstrated that rimexolone is efficacious for the treatment of anterior chamber inflammation following cataract surgery.

Triamcinolone acetonide is a more potent derivative of triamcinolone and is approximately 8 times more potent than prednisone. Although the precise mechanism of corticosteroid anti-allergic action is unknown, corticosteroids are very effective in the treatment of allergic diseases in man. Also, local injections are thought to have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Vamorolone is a dissociative corticosteroid that selectively binds to the glucocorticoid receptor, which triggers anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of NF-kB mediated gene transcripts, but leads to less transcriptional activation of other genes. In addition, vamorolone inhibits the activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor by aldosterone. Due to its specific structure, vamorolone is likely not a substrate for 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases and is therefore not subject to local tissue amplification. The precise mechanism by which vamorolone exerts its therapeutic effects in patients with DMD is unknown.