Endocrine DisordersPrimary or secondary adrenocortical insufficiency (hydrocortisone or cortisone is the first choice; synthetic analogs may be used in conjunction with mineralocorticoids where applicable; in infancy mineralocorticoid supplementation is of particular importance).Congenital adrenal hyperplasiaNonsuppurative thyroiditisHypercalcemia associated with cancer Rheumatic DisordersAs adjunctive therapy for short-term administration (to tide the patient over an acute episode or exacerbation) in:Psoriatic arthritisRheumatoid arthritis, including juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (selected cases may require low-dose maintenance therapy)Ankylosing spondylitisAcute and subacute bursitisAcute nonspecific tenosynovitisAcute gouty arthritisPost-traumatic osteoarthritisSynovitis of osteoarthritisEpicondylitis Collagen DiseasesDuring an exacerbation or as maintenance therapy in selected cases of:Systemic lupus erythematosusAcute rheumatic carditisSystemic dermatomyositis (polymyositis) Dermatologic DiseasesPemphigusBullous dermatitis herpetiformisSevere erythema multiforme (Stevens-Johnson syndrome)Exfoliative dermatitisMycosis fungoidesSevere psoriasisSevere seborrheic dermatitis Allergic StatesControl of severe or incapacitating allergic conditions intractable to adequate trials of conventional treatment:Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitisBronchial asthmaContact dermatitisAtopic dermatitisSerum sicknessDrug hypersensitivity reactions Ophthalmic DiseasesSevere acute and chronic allergic and inflammatory processes involving the eye and its adnexa, such as:Allergic conjunctivitisKeratitisAllergic corneal marginal ulcersHerpes zoster ophthalmicusIritis and iridocyclitisChorioretinitisAnterior segment inflammationDiffuse posterior uveitis and choroiditisOptic neuritisSympathetic ophthalmia Respiratory DiseasesSymptomatic sarcoidosisLoeffler's syndrome not manageable by other meansBerylliosisFulminating or disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculosis chemotherapyAspiration pneumonitis Hematologic DisordersIdiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in adultsSecondary thrombocytopenia in adultsAcquired (autoimmune) hemolytic anemiaErythroblastopenia (RBC anemia)Congenital (erythroid) hypoplastic anemia Neoplastic DiseasesFor palliative management of:Leukemias and lymphomas in adultsAcute leukemia of childhood Edematous StatesTo induce a diuresis or remission of proteinuria in the nephrotic syndrome, without uremia, of the idiopathic type or that due to lupus erythematosus Gastrointestinal DiseasesTo tide the patient over a critical period of the disease in:Ulcerative colitisRegional enteritis MiscellaneousTuberculous meningitis with subarachnoid block or impending block when used concurrently with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapyTrichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement

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PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS -- A type of inflammatory arthritis associated with PSORIASIS, often involving the axial joints and the peripheral terminal interphalangeal joints. It is characterized by the presence of HLA-B27-associated SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY, and the absence of rheumatoid factor.

Chronic Childhood Arthritis -- Rheumatoid arthritis of children occurring in three major subtypes defined by the symptoms present during the first six months following onset: systemic-onset (Still's Disease, Juvenile-Onset), polyarticular-onset, and pauciarticular-onset. Adult-onset cases of Still's disease (STILL'S DISEASE, ADULT-ONSET) are also known. Only one subtype of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (polyarticular-onset, rheumatoid factor-positive) clinically resembles adult rheumatoid arthritis and is considered its childhood equivalent.

Posterior Uveitis -- Inflammation of the choroid as well as the retina and vitreous body. Some form of visual disturbance is usually present. The most important characteristics of posterior uveitis are vitreous opacities, choroiditis, and chorioretinitis.

Syndrome -- A symptom complex of unknown etiology, that is characteristic of a particular abnormality.

Unspecified pulmonary tuberculosis, unspecified examination -- MYCOBACTERIUM infections of the lung.

TUBERCULOSIS DISSEMINATED --

Thrombocytopenic purpura -- Any form of purpura in which the PLATELET COUNT is decreased. Many forms are thought to be caused by immunological mechanisms.

Thrombocytopenia -- A subnormal level of BLOOD PLATELETS.

leukemia -- A progressive, malignant disease of the blood-forming organs, characterized by distorted proliferation and development of leukocytes and their precursors in the blood and bone marrow. Leukemias were originally termed acute or chronic based on life expectancy but now are classified according to cellular maturity. Acute leukemias consist of predominately immature cells; chronic leukemias are composed of more mature cells. (From The Merck Manual, 2006)

Lymphoma -- A general term for various neoplastic diseases of the lymphoid tissue.

Proteinuria -- The presence of proteins in the urine, an indicator of KIDNEY DISEASES.

Nephrotic Syndrome -- A condition characterized by severe PROTEINURIA, greater than 3.5 g/day in an average adult. The substantial loss of protein in the urine results in complications such as HYPOPROTEINEMIA; generalized EDEMA; HYPERTENSION; and HYPERLIPIDEMIAS. Diseases associated with nephrotic syndrome generally cause chronic kidney dysfunction.

Uremia -- A clinical syndrome associated with the retention of renal waste products or uremic toxins in the blood. It is usually the result of RENAL INSUFFICIENCY. Most uremic toxins are end products of protein or nitrogen CATABOLISM, such as UREA or CREATININE. Severe uremia can lead to multiple organ dysfunctions with a constellation of symptoms.

SPONDYLOMETAEPIPHYSEAL DYSPLASIA, SHORT LIMB-HAND TYPE --

Disease -- A definite pathologic process with a characteristic set of signs and symptoms. It may affect the whole body or any of its parts, and its etiology, pathology, and prognosis may be known or unknown.

Meningitis -- Inflammation of the coverings of the brain and/or spinal cord, which consist of the PIA MATER; ARACHNOID; and DURA MATER. Infections (viral, bacterial, and fungal) are the most common causes of this condition, but subarachnoid hemorrhage (HEMORRHAGES, SUBARACHNOID), chemical irritation (chemical MENINGITIS), granulomatous conditions, neoplastic conditions (CARCINOMATOUS MENINGITIS), and other inflammatory conditions may produce this syndrome. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1994, Ch24, p6)

 Systemic fungal infections Hypersensitivity to this product

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Systemic mycosis --

Hypersensitivity -- Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.

In patients on corticosteroid therapy subjected to unusual stress, increased dosage of rapidly acting corticosteroids before, during, and after the stressful situation is indicated.Drug-induced secondary adrenocortical insufficiency may result from too rapid withdrawal of corticosteroids and may be minimized by gradual reduction of dosage.

This type of relative insufficiency may persist for months after discontinuation of therapy; therefore, in any situation of stress occurring during that period, hormone therapy should be reinstituted.

If the patient is receiving steroids already, dosage may have to be increased.

Since mineralocorticoid secretion may be impaired, salt and/or a mineralocorticoid should be administered concurrently.Corticosteroids may mask some signs of infection, and new infections may appear during their use.

There may be decreased resistance and inability to localize infection when corticosteroids are used.

Moreover, corticosteroids may affect the nitroblue-tetrazolium test for bacterial infection and produce false negative results.In cerebral malaria, a double-blind trial has shown that the use of corticosteroids is associated with prolongation of coma and a higher incidence of pneumonia and gastrointestinal bleeding.Corticosteroids may activate latent amebiasis.

Therefore, it is recommended that latent or active amebiasis be ruled out before initiating corticosteroid therapy in any patient who has time in the tropics or any patient with unexplained diarrhea.Prolonged use of corticosteroids may produce posterior subsapsular cataracts, glaucoma with possible damage to the optic nerves, and may enhance the establishment of secondary ocular infections due to fungi or viruses.Average and large doses of hydrocortisone or cortisone can cause elevation of blood pressure, salt and water retention, and increased excretion of potassium.

These effects are less likely to occur with the synthetic derivatives except when used in large doses.

Dietary salt restriction and potassium supplementation may be necessary.

All corticosteroids increase calcium excretion.Administration of live virus vaccines, including smallpox, is contraindicated in individuals receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids.

If inactivated viral or bacterial vaccines are administered to individuals receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids, the expected serum antibody response may not be obtained.

However, immunization procedures may be undertaken in patients who are receiving corticosteroids as replacement therapy, e.g., for Addison's disease.Persons who are on drugs which suppress the immune system are more susceptible to infections than healthy individuals.

Chickenpox and measles, for example, can have more serious or even fatal course in non-immune children or adults on corticosteroids.

In such children or adults who have not had these diseases, particular care should be taken to avoid exposure.

How the dose, route and duration of corticosteroid administration affects the risk of developing a disseminated infection is not known.

The contribution of the underlying disease and/or prior corticosteroid treatment to the risk is also not known.

If exposed to chickenpox, prophylaxis with varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG) may be indicated.

If exposed to measles, prophylaxis with pooled intramuscular immunoglobulin (IG) may be indicated.

(See the respective package inserts for complete VZIG and IG prescribing information).

If chickenpox develops, treatment with antiviral agents may be considered.The use of cortisone acetate tablets in active tuberculosis should be restricted to those cases of fulminating or disseminated tuberculosis in which the corticosteroid is used for the management of the disease in conjunction with an appropriate antituberculous regimen.If corticosteroids are indicated in patients with latent tuberculosis or tuberculin reactivity, close observation is necessary as reactivation of the disease may occur.

During prolonged corticosteroid therapy, these patients should receive chemoprophylaxis.Literature reports suggest an apparent association between use of corticosteroids and left ventricular free wall rupture after a recent myocardial infarction; therefore, therapy with corticosteroids should be used with great caution in these patients.