Patients should not take corticosteroid drugs if they have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:

• Chickenpox or measles. Contagious skin diseases that can spread to other parts of the body and cause a severe condition when using corticosteroids.
  
  
• High blood pressure (hypertension). Corticosteroids can exacerbate this condition by causing the body to retain extra water. Individuals with a weak heart (weakened heart muscle) or heart disease should also refrain from using some types of corticosteroids, which can worsen these conditions.
  
  
• High cholesterol. Corticosteroids can increase blood cholesterol levels.
  
  
• Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). Usually from an inadequate secretion of insulin by the pancreas. Some types of corticosteroids affect blood sugar control.
  
  
• Osteoporosis. Condition that occurs when bone mass is not replaced as fast as it is lost. High doses of corticosteroids can cause this condition to worsen in women who are past menopause and not receiving estrogen treatments.
  
  
• Glaucoma. Eye disease characterized by increased pressure inside the eyeball. Corticosteroids can cause the pressure in the eye to further increase.
  
  
• AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Viral disease that weakens the immune system. Corticosteroids can interfere with the treatment of this condition.
  
  
• Kidney disease or kidney stones. Treatment of these conditions (particularly dialysis) can be disrupted by the excess water retention common when using corticosteroids.
  
  
• Liver disease. Corticosteroids may not be eliminated from the body at the usual rate when used with this condition.
  
  
• Psychosis. This mental disorder can be made worse by using corticosteroids.
  
  
• Tuberculosis. Infectious bacterial disease. Corticosteroid use can cause infections to return in individuals with a history of tuberculosis.
  
  
• Cushing's disease. A disease caused by elevated levels of the hormone cortisol.

In addition, any active viral, bacterial or fungal infection is a possible contraindication.