All corticosteroids in any formulation are not innocuous and beg to be handled with care

Abstract

Many short courses (bursts) of oral corticosteroids (OCS) are commonly prescribed for indicated and non-indicated conditions. These bursts are perceived to be safe and are usually given by prescription for less than 14 days at a time. The global corticosteroid market was USD 5.7 billion in 2023, and with a projected annual growth rate of 4.6% across all regions, reflects its widespread use. Published data of OCS use in South Africa are difficult to find, yet parents of children attending a clinic for immune deficiencies frequently report repetitive prescriptions.