Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex, as well as their synthetic analogues. The two main classes of corticosteroids are glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids (eg aldosterone, fludrocortisone).
Glucocorticoids (eg hydrocortisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone) represent the most important and frequently used class of drugs to suppress or prevent allergic responses or inflammation; or to suppress an inappropriate or unwanted immune response.
In serious chronic disease associated with inflammation, including sepsis, the adrenal gland's ability to produce cortisol at maximal levels is impaired (aka adrenal insufficiency), and supplementation with hydrocortisone may be required.
Although corticosteroids . . .
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