Corticosteroids for AIHA

Overview
Corticosteroids are a class of prescription drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the body’s inflammatory and metabolic response. Corticosteroids are often used off-label as a first-line therapy to treat people with warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Corticosteroids have not been shown to be effective in treating cold AIHA. The most common corticosteroids used to treat warm AIHA include dexamethasone, prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone.

How do I take it?
In cases of AIHA, 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...

Prednisone and Other Corticosteroids — Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/steroids/art-20045692

Systemic Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia — Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/a...