May 22, 2012
Topics A-Z Drugs Interstitial Lung disease
Interstitial Lung disease |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My father aged 69yrs and suffering Interstitial Lung desease and prescribed Defcort 30mg morning and 15 mg after noon .what are the side effect of this steorid medicine please advice the alternate medicine. Dear T nagaraju: Interstitial lung disease actually describes a group of disorders, most of which cause progressive scarring of lung tissue. This eventually affects the ability to breathe and get enough oxygen into the bloodstream. Once lung scarring occurs, it's generally irreversible. Medications occasionally can slow the damage of interstitial lung disease, but many people never regain full use of their lungs. One of the standard treatments for this condition is using Corticosteroids like Defcort, These anti-inflammatory drugs help a minority of people with interstitial lung disease. Those most likely to benefit have a disorder with a known cause and reversible changes in their lungs. Corticosteroids seldom improve lung function in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and when they do, the benefits are usually temporary. Taken for long periods of time or in large doses, corticosteroids can cause a number of side effects, including glaucoma, bone loss; high blood sugar levels leading to diabetes, poor wound healing and increased susceptibility to infection. In my opinion, this medication used with very good control and evaluation would cause no harm and the benefits outweighs the risks. There are also other more complex therapy that includes cytotoxic medication, antioxidants and anti-fibrotics, it would be better to discuss these medications with your father’s physician due to his particular condition he might or might not need them. I wish him a prompt recovery. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 11 October 2010 ) |
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