Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Fecal Glucocorticoid Analysis: Non-invasive Adrenal Monitoring in Equids
Published on: April 25, 2016
Evaluation of Glucocorticoids Utilization in Central Kerala using Pharmacy Sales Overview
Sara Mathew1, Philip Finny2, Abel K Samuel Johnson1
1Department of Community Medicine, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India.
Background:
Misuse of prescription drugs is a major public health problem in India and developing countries. Emerging evidence indicates that glucocorticoids are a class of drugs that are silently misused. These drugs are inexpensive and easily available as over-the-counter drugs in India are widely used by local practitioners and self-prescribed by patients for swift symptomatic relief of febrile illnesses, joint pain, asthma, other respiratory illnesses, and skin diseases. Many people have become dependent on glucocorticoids unintentionally and remain completely unaware of the metabolic changes occurring in their bodies.
Methodology:
A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 38 pharmacies in Thiruvalla municipality of South India was conducted to indirectly assess the utilization of glucocorticoids in the region using a pharmacy sales overview.
Results:
Most people approach pharmacies with prescriptions than without. A high majority of pharmacists do not have any knowledge about the uses (37%) or adverse effects (66%) of glucocorticoids. More than 50% of the community pharmacies have more than 1% of their sales attributed to glucocorticoids when compared with the total sales volume of drugs.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Pharmacovigilance
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...
Analysis of Population Pharmacokinetic Data
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

