Effectiveness of IV Steroids vs. Oral Prednisone

Research indicates that both IV steroids and oral prednisone are effective in managing acute exacerbations of inflammatory conditions, including IBD. A study comparing oral prednisolone and IV hydrocortisone found that oral treatment was not inferior in terms of improving lung function in acute asthma cases, suggesting similar efficacy in inflammatory conditions Oral versus intravenous corticosteroids in adults hospitalised with .... Another study confirmed that oral prednisone was as effective as IV methylprednisolone in treating mild to moderate asthma exacerbations Acute asthma in children: Treatment with oral prednisone vs ....

In the context of IBD, a systematic review highlighted that traditional corticosteroids, including oral forms, are effective for inducing remission in Crohn's disease, although they are associated with more adverse events compared to placebo Traditional corticosteroids for induction of remission in Crohn's disease.

Side Effects

The side effects of corticosteroids can vary depending on the route of administration. Both oral and IV steroids can cause similar side effects, such as increased blood sugar levels and risk of infection. However, oral steroids are more commonly associated with systemic side effects like insomnia and mood swings Oral versus intravenous methylprednisolone for the treatment of .... A meta-analysis found that oral and IV methylprednisolone were equally well tolerated, although insomnia was more prevalent with oral administration Oral versus intravenous methylprednisolone for the treatment of ....

Outcomes

Long-term outcomes for patients with IBD treated with corticosteroids depend on the severity of the disease and the specific treatment regimen. A study on acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) found that patients responding to IV steroids had favorable long-term outcomes, although the study emphasized the need for further research to fully understand these outcomes Long-term outcome of patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis responding to intravenous steroids.

In terms of treatment failure rates, both oral and IV routes have shown equivalent effectiveness in hospital settings, with no significant difference in outcomes such as death or ICU admission Oral vs IV Corticosteroids for In-hospital Treatment of COPD ....