Anti-inflammatory drugs corticosteroids / glucocorticoids

The glucocorticoids also have powerful anti-inflammatory effects and when first introduced were considered to be the ultimate answer to the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. Unfortunately, the toxicity associated with chronic corticosteroid therapy limits their use except in the control of acute flare-ups of joint disease. Therefore, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have assumed a major role in the long-term treatment of arthritis. 

Corticosteroids are produced by the adrenal glands, and display two main types of biological activity. Glucocorticoids are concerned with the synthesis of carbohydrate from protein and the deposition of glycogen in the liver. They also play an important role in inflammatory processes. Mineralocorticoids are concerned with the control of electrolyte balance, promoting the retention of Na+ and CC, and the excretion of K+. Synthetic and semi-synthetic corticosteroid drugs are widely used in medicine. Glncocorticoids are primarily nsed for their antirhenmatic and anti-inflammatory activities, and mineralocorticoids are nsed to maintain electrolyte balance where there is adrenal insufficiency. 

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