Glucocorticoid Use and Misuse in a Rural Community of Kerala, India.

Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are anti-inflammatory steroid medications prescribed globally by doctors for various illnesses and they are known to produce quick symptom relief. In India, they are among the cheapest and easily accessible over-the-counter medications. Thus, it can be misused, leading to many life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, overwhelming infections, Cushing's syndrome, and hypo-adrenal crisis.

Evaluation of Glucocorticoids Utilization in Central Kerala using Pharmacy Sales Overview.

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.