Corticosteroids for Myeloma

Overview
Corticosteroids are a class of prescription drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inflammation. Corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat people with myeloma.

The most common corticosteroids used to treat myeloma include Dexamethasone, Prednisone, Prednisolone, and Methylprednisolone. Corticosteroids can help fight myeloma in several ways. First, corticosteroids are believed to help kill myeloma cells on their own. Second, corticosteroids can boost the effectiveness of other anti-myeloma drugs such as those used in chemotherapy. Finally, corticosteroids can help reduce side effects – such as nausea, vomiting, and neuropathy (nerve damage) – of other drugs used for myeloma.

How do I take it?
In cases of myeloma, corticosteroids are usually taken orally or injected. Take corticosteroids exactly as prescribed by the physician. It is important to taper off dosage with a doctor’s guidance before stopping corticosteroids.

Side effects
The severity of corticosteroid side effects increases with dosage and long-term use.

Common side effects of corticosteroids include high blood sugar, fluid retention, mood swings, trouble sleeping, rounding of the face known as “moon face,” insomnia, euphoria, depression, anxiety, and mania. Psychological effects of corticosteroids may be moderated with attention to diet and avoiding fluctuations in blood glucose (blood sugar).

With long-term use, serious side effects caused by corticosteroids include increased susceptibility to infection, weight gain, vision changes, and, in children, slowed growth.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Corticosteroids - Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs_dev...

Why Are Steroids Used in Conjunction With Myeloma Treatment? (video) – PatientPower
https://www.patientpower.info/video/why-are-ste...

Steroids for active myeloma – Macmillan Cancer Support
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-su...

Dexamethasone and Other Steroids – International Myeloma Foundation
https://www.myeloma.org/dexamethasone

Drug Therapy for Multiple Myeloma – American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/multiple-myeloma/...