["Side effects" in cortisone therapy]

Glucocorticosteroids are comprehensively acting agents and their therapeutically used derivatives - the cortisonoids - accordingly also have unwanted effects. In addition every pharmacodynamically active medication of these drugs in due time, induces adrenal atrophy and leads to the patient's dependence upon an adequate exogenous supply. This condition is then called "cortisonism". Such a development represents one of the most important risks of cortisone therapy in rheumatic disorders.