Corticosteroids for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Long-term use of corticosteroids is not advisable due to the significant side effects. Low-dose corticosteroids have fewer side effects and may be appropriate for longer use in difficult cases.

In some cases the dose of corticosteroids that controls symptoms is too high for long-term use. The best dose may be a balance between a higher dose that controls symptoms well but causes significant side effects and a lower dose that doesn't control all symptoms completely but causes fewer side effects.

If your child is given corticosteroid treatment for 2 weeks or more, the medicine should be gradually reduced (tapered) rather than abruptly stopped. Tapering helps the body adjust to the change. But some children have a temporary increase in pain when corticosteroid treatment is stopped.

After a corticosteroid joint injection, your child should use the joint as little as possible for a day or two. A cast or splint may be put on the joint of a young child to protect the joint from excess movement.

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