Medical steroids are drugs that are either structurally identical or similar to natural steroids produced by the body. They may also be structurally different but bind to the same receptor as a steroid. These drugs can either turn the receptor on or off. A steroid is typically fat soluble, and can be administered orally, intravenously, topically or by inhalation. Different types of medical steroids exist as derivatives of hormones found in the adrenal glands and reproductive organs.
Prednisone
Prednisone is a type of corticosteroid. The main hormone it mimics is cortisol, which is released by the adrenal gland. Prednisone is used for its suppression of immune and inflammatory responses in certain disease states when the immune system and inflammation are causing more problems than helping. Inhalational corticosteroids are used in conditions such as asthma to suppress inflammation in the lungs. Other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may respond favorably to these steroids as well. They are limited by side effects such as swelling, weight gain, psychological effects such as paranoia, elevated blood pressure and blood sugar, among others.
Anabolic Steroids
Stanozolol and similar steroids mimic the effects of testosterone. These are also known as androgens, or anabolic steroids. These drugs are used medically for a number of conditions such as the treatment of wasting diseases, called cachexia, seen in cancer and late stage HIV infections, and androgen insufficiency, a condition of abnormally low male sex steroids.
According to MayoClinic.com, side effects from high dose steroid abuse include aggression, potential cholesterol and liver problems, suppressing natural testosterone production and the development of male characteristics in women.
Fludrocortisone
Fludrocortisone and similar drugs mimic hormones called mineralocorticoids. The most common such hormone in the body is aldosterone. Aldosterone and its analogs such as fludrocortisone raise the blood pressure and conserve sodium in the blood. Clinically, these drugs are generally used for failure of the adrenal glands, such as when they are destroyed by cancer or infections.
Estrogen
Estrogens and analogs are female sex steroids, responsible for regulation of the menstrual cycle and female sex characteristics. These drugs are used in oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, hormone replacement after menopause and in some types of prostate cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health.
