A REVIEW ON COMMON HAZARDS OF STEROIDS USED IN HYPERTENSIVES

Steroids are a wide range of molecules with varying physiological effects. Especially corticosteroids are a class of drugs encompassing both laboratory-synthesized and naturally produced hormones. [1] Glucocorticoids may lead to the development of hypertension, heart failure, myocardial ischemia and associated with the metabolic syndrome. The prolonged usage of steroids at higher doses leads to severe conditions like osteoporosis, adrenal suppression myopathy, electrolyte, and metabolic abnormalities. [2] Prednisone and Dexamethasone has the major side effects in the hypertensive patients. Prednisone may cause increase in the blood pressure and development of steroid hypertension is rapid. Dexamethasone causes the increase in sodium levels and edema which leads to rise in blood pressure. [3] On conducting studies on sheep, it has been shown that ANS and vasoactive proteinoids appear to buffer rather than cause in increase BP. The RAAS, AVP and serotonin are also unlikely to be involved. A direct involvement of CNS i.e., ACTH raises BP. There are multiple factors involved in glucocorticoid induced hypertension in human are triggering of RAAS, reduced activity of depressor systems, increased pressor responses to AG ll and norepinephrine. [4]

KEY WORDS: Corticosteroids, Hypertension, Dexamethasone, Prednisone