Steroid Card Information

This applies to you if:

• You suffer from Addison’s disease (also called primary adrenal insufficiency)
• You have taken, or will take, steroid replacement therapy for 4 or more weeks (i.e. more than 3mg prednisolone or more than 10mg hydrocortisone daily)
• You have taken, or will take (because of, e.g. recurrent exacerbations of asthma or COPD) 3 or more short courses of oral steroids per 12 months

If you are on any other form of long-term steroid, please get in touch with your doctor for further information.

Adrenal insufficiency: Taking regular oral steroids for more than 4 weeks consecutively can temporarily reduce your adrenal gland producing a hormone called cortisol. This is called adrenal insufficiency. Since your oral steroids are similar to cortisol, this is not a problem when you are otherwise well.

When your body is under major stress however, such as with a severe infection or surgery, you will need extra doses of steroids to help maintain your blood pressure and let your body deal with the stress.

Adrenal Crisis: If you are usually on oral steroids and do not take extra doses during a major illness, you can go into adrenal crisis. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate hospitalisation. The symptoms include severe dizziness, lightheadedness, fever, shivering, feeling very cold, extreme fatigue, feeling sick or vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, aching muscles and joints, stomache aches, and severe diarrhoea.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN ON ORAL STEROID TABLETS FOR MORE THAN 4 WEEKS AND YOU BECOME UNWELL, DO NOT STOP YOUR STEROID TABLETS

Preventing an adrenal crisis: ensure you know the sick rules below and that you have a month’s supply of extra steroids at home to take if unwell. Do not skip steroid doses and do not stop without input from a medical professional. If you feel unwell after stopping steroids, contact your GP.

Sick Day Rule 1

There is no need to increase steroid dose if you only have a mild illness with no fever. But IF YOU ARE UNWELL WITH A FEVER, INCREASE YOUR ORAL STEROID DOSE until you are completely better.

• If you take less than 10mg prednisolone daily: take double your normal dose
• If you take 10mg to 19mg prednisolone daily: increase to 20mg
• If you take 20mg or more daily: no need to increase your dose
• If you take more than 10mg daily of hydrocortisone: take 20mg immediately and then 10mg every 6 hours until you recover

Sick Day Rule 2

SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE URGENTLY IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING HAPPEN, since you will require steroid injections:

• Severe diarrhoea or vomiting lasting more than a day
• If you have a major injury
• If you are due to undergo major surgery
• If you need to take bowel prep prior to colonoscopy

Special Situations

Pregnancy: continue normal doses. You will need a steroid injection at the onset of labour and then double your normal oral dose for 48 hours after giving birth.

Minor dental surgery: Discuss with your dentist. A typical regime would be

• Prednisolone: take 5mg one hour before the procedure, double your usual dose for 24 hours after the procedure, and then back to your usual dose
• Hydrocortisone: take 20mg one hour before the procedure, double your usual dose for 24 hours after the procedure, and then back to your usual dose

Major dental surgery: discuss in advance with your dentist; you might require steroid injections.

COVID (confirmed, or suspected by a medical professional):

• Prednisolone: take 10mg twice daily until you recover
• Hydrocortisone: take 20mg every 6 hours until you recove

Why do I need a steroid card?

You have been advised to carry the NHS Steroid Emergency Card as you are taking long-term steroid treatment. It is important that any healthcare professional who treats you knows you are on long-term steroids.

You should not stop suddenly taking your steroid treatment, as you may feel very unwell if this happens. You could have weakness, dizziness, tiredness, feeling or being sick, poor appetite, weight loss and stomach pain. It can be life threatening.

Where do I get the card?

NHS Steroid Emergency Cards can be obtained from the practice, a community pharmacy or hospital.

What do I need to do?

You must complete the card with your own details. Keep it safe in your purse or wallet. Have it ready to show any healthcare professional you see.

Please let your family know that you carry a NHS Steroid Emergency Card. Ask them to remind you to show your card at every chance when getting treatment. This is very important if you need emergency treatment, they can tell the emergency services for you.

Do I still need to keep the blue Steroid treatment card too?

Yes, you will need to keep both, however this new NHS Steroid Emergency Card is very important. Also still wear your medic alert bracelet or necklace and keep any other emergency cards you may have.

I have lost my new card, where can I get another one from?

New or replacement NHS Steroid Emergency Cards can be obtained from the practice, a community pharmacy or hospital. You can have more than one card if you would like to store them in different places. Please make sure the details on both cards are the same.