Controversies of and Indications for Use of Glucocorticoids in the Intensive Care Unit and the Emergency Room.

Abstract

Corticosteroids are ubiquitous endogenous compounds that are essential for most body functions. Exogenous steroids are routinely used for a plethora of conditions associated with substantial and sometimes detrimental inflammation or immune-mediated tissue destruction. In this article, we will review the relevant physiology of steroids, pharmacology of the common exogenously administered steroids, common side effects of glucocorticoid administration, as well as some of the more controversial and less researched indications for steroid therapy in veterinary medicine. Relevant human literature as well as available information on veterinary species will be presented to augment the discussion.