Patients should consult their physician before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications. Patients who are using topical corticosteroids should be particularly careful to inform their physician about any other topical over-the-counter or prescription medications that they use.

Other medications of particular concern to individuals taking corticosteroid drugs are:

• Aminoglutethimide (used to treat some kinds of tumors). Can reduce the effectiveness of corticosteroids.
  
  
• Amphotericin B by injection (used to treat fungal infections). Can decrease the amount of potassium in the blood.
  
  
• Antacids (counteracts stomach acidity). Can decrease the effectiveness of some corticosteroids.
  
  
• Anticonvulsants (used to treat seizures). Can decrease the effectiveness of some corticosteroids.
  
  
• Antidiabetic agents or insulin (used to treat diabetes). Can increase blood sugar levels when taken with corticosteroids.
  
  
• Barbiturates (group of drugs used as sedatives). Can decrease the effectiveness of some corticosteroids.
  
  
• Cyclosporine (used to prevent transplanted organ rejection). Can cause seizures when taken with some corticosteroids.
  
  
• Diuretics (water pills). Can cause the diuretic to be less effective and may increase the loss of potassium.
  
  
• Griseofulvin (used to treat skin infections). Can reduce the effectiveness of corticosteroids.
  
  
• Heart medications. Can increase the risk of having an irregular heartbeat or other problems by decreasing the amount of potassium in the blood.
  
  
• Medicines containing potassium (used to treat high blood pressure). Can interfere with potassium levels in the blood.
  
  
• Medicines containing sodium. Can cause the body to retain excess sodium and water, which can cause high blood sodium, high blood pressure and excess body water.
  
  
• Mitotane (used to treat some cancers). Can decrease the effectiveness of some corticosteroids.
  
  
• Phenylbutazone (used to treat fever, pain and inflammation). Can reduce the effectiveness of corticosteroids.
  
  
• Ritodrine (used to stop premature labor). May cause serious side effects when taken with corticosteroids.

In addition, licorice (candy made from the licorice plant’s root) can increase the effects of corticosteroid medications.