What Are Hormonal Medications?

Hormonal medications are anti-inflammatory and antiallergic drugs; examples include prednisone and dexamethasone, both of which belong to the class of corticosteroids. Long-term use may lead to dependence, weight gain, osteoporosis, and suppression of growth and development in children. So, what exactly are hormonal medications? The following section addresses this question.

What Are Hormonal Medications?

Broadly speaking, hormonal medications refer to drugs whose active ingredients are human or animal hormones—or organic compounds structurally and mechanistically similar to natural hormones. Narrowly defined, the term “hormonal medication” commonly used by physicians typically refers specifically to glucocorticoids—steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex—unless otherwise specified. Other types of hormonal medications are usually identified by their specific classifications—for example, androgens, insulin, or growth hormone. These medications can be administered via various routes, including intravenous injection, oral intake, topical application, and others. Common dosage forms include lyophilized injectable powders, aqueous injectables, capsules, tablets, creams, and ointments.

Knowledge Expansion: Key Precautions When Using Hormonal Medications

1. Prolonged administration at supraphysiological doses may cause central obesity, moon facies, purple striae, thinning of the skin, muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, hypokalemia, edema, nausea, vomiting, hypertension, hyperglycemia (diabetes), acne, hirsutism, increased susceptibility to infection, pancreatitis, impaired wound healing, osteoporosis, exacerbation or induction of peptic ulcers, growth suppression in children, and psychiatric symptoms. Prolonged, high-dose topical ocular application may elevate intraocular pressure, leading to optic nerve damage, visual field defects, posterior subcapsular cataracts, and secondary fungal or viral infections.

2. Inappropriate use of glucocorticoids may precipitate or worsen infections. Long-term use suppresses host defense mechanisms, increasing susceptibility to staphylococcal infections or viral illnesses. Additionally, glucocorticoids accelerate protein catabolism while inhibiting protein synthesis. They also impair lymphocyte development and differentiation, thereby dampening immune responses and compromising children’s immunity.

The above provides an overview of what hormonal medications are. We hope this information is helpful to you.