Figure 3. Relationship of glucocorticoid dose to disease control and adverse drug reactions
At treatment doses of glucocorticoids, disease control comes at the cost of dose-related and continuous use adverse drug reactions. When glucocorticoids are withdrawn, disease reactivation and end-of-use (withdrawal) reactions emerge as dose-related adverse reactions diminish. Adrenal insufficiency can become symptomatic when the dose of exogenous glucocorticoids falls below physiological glucocorticoid levels. Psychological dependence on glucocorticoids is not dose dependent.