From the name, glucocorticosteroid, the word "gluco-" tells us that this group of steroid can affect glucose level. The glucocorticosteroid can cause hyperglycemia.
· The effect is dose dependent.
·
From
a clinical standpoint, corticosteroids primarily increase postprandial blood
glucose levels, whereas fasting levels are unaffected or only mildly elevated.
·
Dexamethasone
& betamethasone elevate blood glucose more (25x of the elevation caused by
hydrocortisone), followed by fludrocortisone (10 x), triamcinolone
&methyl-prednisolone (5 x), prednisolone & prednisone (4 x) if
compared with hydrocortisone. * Based on their glucocorticoid potency.