Adrenal suppression caused by steroids is categorized as which ADR type?

Adrenal suppression caused by steroids is categorized as which ADR type?

• A. Type A
• B. Type C
• C. Type D
• D. Type E

Answer: (D)

Adrenal suppression from steroids is best described as a withdrawal (end-of-use) adverse drug reaction. Long-term corticosteroid therapy suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, so once the drug is stopped, the body may not immediately resume adequate cortisol production. This can lead to adrenal insufficiency or crisis if not managed, which is a reaction that occurs after the drug is withdrawn. That timing is the hallmark of the withdrawal-type ADR. Other types describe reactions that occur during use or are delayed, but they don’t capture the end-of-use timing as clearly as the withdrawal classification.

Adrenal suppression from steroids is best described as a withdrawal (end-of-use) adverse drug reaction. Long-term corticosteroid therapy suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, so once the drug is stopped, the body may not immediately resume adequate cortisol production. This can lead to adrenal insufficiency or crisis if not managed, which is a reaction that occurs after the drug is withdrawn. That timing is the hallmark of the withdrawal-type ADR. Other types describe reactions that occur during use or are delayed, but they don’t capture the end-of-use timing as clearly as the withdrawal classification.