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Corticosteroids

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Corticosteroids are steroids produced within the adrenal cortex. They are divided into two main groups according to their actions:

  • glucocorticoids: anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and fuel substrate modulation predominate
  • mineralocorticoids: fluid and salt balance

To an extent, there is an overlap of function between the groups.

A small amount of androgen is also produced within the adrenal cortex.

'Steroids', in lay terms, is often used wrongly as a label for corticosteroids and particularly the glucocorticoid prednisolone.


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