What are steroids?

Steroids (also known as corticosteroids) are a type of anti-inflammatory medicine. They are a man- made version of a type of hormone normally produced by your adrenal glands. Steroids work to help your body fight stress and disease by reducing inflammation (swelling) and reducing the activity of your immune system.

What are steroids used for?

We have given you steroids to control side effects from your immunotherapy treatment. Sometimes immunotherapies can overstimulate your immune system. This can give you side effects such as:

• Rash
• Diarrhoea or colitis (inflammation of your bowel)
• Pneumonitis (inflammation of your lungs)
• Nephritis (inflammation of your kidney)
• Hepatitis (inflammation of your liver).

Immunotherapies can also cause inflammation in other parts of your body such as your eyes, joints, thyroid gland, heart, or nervous system. These types of inflammation are rare.

How do I take steroids?

Take your steroids as prescribed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. Your steroid tablets should be taken with/or after food. You may have to take steroid tablets for 4 weeks or longer, depending on how long it takes your symptoms to go away. Once your symptoms have gone, we will slowly reduce your steroids until you can stop taking them completely.

If you have been taking your steroids for more than 14 days, it is very important that you do not suddenly stop your steroid tablets as you may become unwell.

Steroids should only be reduced under the guidance of your doctor or nurse practitioner.

Your symptoms should start to get better 48 hrs after you start taking steroids. It is important that you let your treating team know if you do not see an improvement in your symptoms or if they get worse. You can contact these team members:

Specialist Nurse: ____________________________________

What are the possible side effects of steroids?

All drugs can cause side effects. Steroid side effects become more noticeable when you take higher doses and if you take them for longer periods. Some common side effects can include:

• Insomnia (finding it hard to sleep).
• Increased risk of infection.
• Increased blood sugar levels.
• Increased appetite and weight gain.
• Bruising and skin thinning.
• Oedema (swelling).
• Stomach irritation.
• Mood changes (anxiety, depression, mood swings).
• Osteoporosis (only for long term use of steroids).
• Take your steroid tablets in the morning. Steroids can keep you awake so taking them in the morning will help you sleep better at night.
• Take them with food to stop your stomach from being upset.
• Your doctor may prescribe another medicine to protect the lining of your stomach while you are taking steroids.

How can I reduce side effects?

If you need more information about the steroid you are taking, ask your Specialist, GP, or Pharmacist.