Corticosteroids are steroid hormones that are involved in psychological body systems like immune response, stress response, protein catabolism behavior, etc. Corticosteroid medicines are like the natural hormones, produced in the body, which control important functions like water balance, immune system function, electrolyte level balance, etc. It is used to control immune function, stress caused by illness or injury and inflammation.

Corticosteroid medicines act by stopping the production of prostaglandins and other like materials that trigger allergic reactions and inflammations. Inflammations occur when the immune system tries to fight off viruses or bacteria in the body. Steroids like corticosteroids reduce inflammation to minimize the amount of damage on the tissues. Because it reduces the inflammation and other body reactions that cause physical pain, corticosteroids can help alleviate chronic pain in suffering patients. Low doses of steroids could give a significant pain relief and relief from stiffness caused by various chronic diseases like arthritis.

Corticosteroids can be administered by mouth, with the help of capsules and tablets, by inhaler/intranasal spray, by injection, and topically, in the form of creams, roll-ons and ointments.