GLUCOCORTICOIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are first-line drugs to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) of both high and moderate activities. These are the only agents that are able to provide so prompt anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects in rheumatic diseases. Along with antimalarials and immunosuppressants, GCs are used in the standard classical treatment regimen for SLE; however, despite the high efficacy of these drugs, their related immediate or delayed adverse reactions are one of the major problems in the management of a patient with SLE. Occasionally, they may be severer than the indication itself for their use and may be even fatal. The paper describes the adverse reactions observed in a female patient with SLE during long-term use of a high maintenance GC dose.