Types of medicine
What Is a Glucocorticoid? Steroid Medicines Explained
Glucocorticoid · say it: gloo-koh-KOR-tih-koydAlso written: glucocorticoids, corticosteroid, steroid, steroid medicine
Short answer
A glucocorticoid is a steroid hormone or medicine, like prednisolone or hydrocortisone, that calms inflammation and the immune system.
What it means
Glucocorticoids are a type of corticosteroid. The body makes its own, mainly cortisol, from the adrenal glands. Medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone copy this hormone. They are used to calm inflammation and overactive immune responses, for example in asthma, arthritis, allergic reactions and some skin and bowel conditions.
Labels carry several warnings because glucocorticoids affect many body systems. Taken as tablets for a long time, they can raise blood sugar, thin bones, increase infection risk, affect mood and sleep, and the body's own steroid production can slow down. That is why labels warn not to stop long courses suddenly and to taper the dose under medical advice.
Glucocorticoids are not the same as anabolic steroids used to build muscle. Inhaled, skin and nasal forms act mostly where they are applied and generally have fewer whole-body effects than tablets.
Where you may see it
- Steroid tablet labels under 'Warnings' and 'Withdrawal'
- Leaflets for steroid inhalers, creams and nasal sprays
- Steroid treatment cards and hospital discharge summaries
📄 How it looks on a report
Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly; the dose should be reduced gradually.
🙅 What it does not mean
- A glucocorticoid is not an anabolic (bodybuilding) steroid.
- Side effects listed for long courses do not all apply to a short course or to a cream or inhaler.
- Feeling better does not mean it is safe to stop suddenly after a long course.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Glucocorticoid”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Albendazole
an anthelmintic drug, a medicine used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms
- Alendronate
a bisphosphonate, a medicine that slows the breakdown of bone by blocking cells called osteoclasts
- Aspirin
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a platelet aggregation inhibitor
- Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
- Dexamethasone
A corticosteroid, a synthetic adrenocortical steroid medicine that lowers inflammation and suppresses the immune system
- Fluticasone Propionate
A corticosteroid, which is a steroid medicine, given as a nasal spray
- Hydrochlorothiazide
A thiazide diuretic, a type of medicine often called a 'water pill'
- Isoniazid
An antibacterial medicine of the antimycobacterial type, used against tuberculosis bacteria
- Levofloxacin
an antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone type
- Levothyroxine Sodium
a synthetic thyroid hormone (L-thyroxine, also called T4), described on the label as chemically identical to the hormone made by the human thyroid gland
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Glucocorticoid” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “glucocorticoid”
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.