Prakt. lékáren. 2011; 7(5): 228-231

Corticosteroids and immunosuppression in chronic treatment

Kamil Rudolf^1,2, Josef Malý^1,3

¹ Katedra sociální a klinické farmacie, Farmaceutická fakulta UK Hradec Králové

² II. interní klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové

³ Nemocniční lékárna FN Motol, Praha

Proper functioning of the immune system is necessary for the maintenance of homeostasis of the organism. In the medical context,

however, there are situations in which self-defense may be unwanted in its consequences. By suppressing immunity we stabilize the

course of several diseases of autoimmune or chronic inflammatory origin, thereby preventing rejection of transplanted organs and

tissues (bone marrow, kidneys, liver and heart). The disadvantage of immunosuppression is its long term course and non-selective

effects; the organism is not able to resist to infection agents for a long time, with resulting an early failure of antitumor surveillance.

Immunosuppressive drugs are characterized by many unwanted effects including most often development of arterial hypertension,

disturbances in metabolism (obesity, dyslipidemia or hyperglycemia) and organ damage (kidneys and liver). The most extensively used

immunosuppressants in clinical medicine are corticosteroids while most extensive advancement in development of new drugs was

achieved in the field of biological treatment.

Keywords: corticosteroids, immunosuppression, biological treatment

Published: November 1, 2011  Show citation