Table 7 Dose ranges of corticosteroids prescribed by indication
From: Corticosteroid prescribing in palliative care settings: a retrospective analysis in New Zealand
Drug prescribed by indication (Number of prescribing events) | Median (IQR) starting dose mg | Dose range mg | Median (IQR) final dose mg |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Non-specific | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (59) | 20 (20) | 5 - 60 | 20 (20) |
Meth (3) | 125 (0) | 125 - 125 | 125 (0) |
Dex (67) | 4 (4) | 1 - 8 | 4 (4) |
2. Neurological | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (0) | - | - | - |
Meth (6) | 125 (0) | 80 - 125 | 125 (0) |
Dex (71) | 8 (8) | 2 - 16 | 8 (8) |
3. Capsular stretching | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (1) | 20 (0) | 20 - 20 | 20 (0) |
Meth (0) | - | - | - |
Dex (12) | 8 (4) | 4 - 12 | 8 (4) |
4. Soft tissue infiltration | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (1) | 20 (0) | 20 - 20 | 20 (0) |
Meth (7) | 125 (0) | 125 - 125 | 125 (0) |
Dex (32) | 8 (4) | 4 - 16 | 8 (4) |
5. Tenesmus | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (0) | - | - | - |
Meth (0) | - | - | - |
Dex (2) | 8 (0) | 8 - 8 | 8 (0) |
6. Inflammation s/c sites | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (0) | - | - | - |
Meth (0) | - | - | - |
Dex (10) | 0.75 (0.5) | 0.5 - 1 | 1 (0.5) |
7. Not clear/other | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (3) | 10 (0) | 6 - 80 | 10 (0) |
Meth (1) | 1000** (0) | 1000 - 1000** | 1000** (0) |
Dex (24) | 8 (4) | 1 - 32 | 4 (4) |
8. Chemotherapy | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (2) | 15(0) | 10 - 20 | 15 (0) |
Meth (1) | 125 (0) | 125 - 125 | 125 (0) |
Dex (6) | 12 (8) | 4 - 16 | 8 (6) |
Total* | Â | Â | Â |
Pred (66, 21.5%) | 20 (20) | 5 - 80 | 20 (20) |
Meth (18, 5.8%) | 125 (0) | 80 - 1000** | 125 (0) |
Dex (224, 72.7%) | 8 (4) | 1 - 40 | 8 (4) |