Some patients who take oral, inhaled or topical steroids for
other medical conditions may develop secondary adrenal
insufficiency and be steroid dependent
Omission of steroids for patients with adrenal insufficiency
can lead to adrenal crisis; a medical emergency which if left
untreated can be fatal.

Patients with adrenal insufficiency require higher doses of steroids if they become acutely ill or are subject to major body stressors, such as from trauma or surgery, to prevent an adrenal crisis.

To manage this risk, such patients should carry a steroid card with them at all times. The design has been updated recently, so those carrying the old blue cards should have these replaced.

Healthcare professionals who care for such patients should be familiar with hthe symptoms of adrenal crisis – vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration.

Further information can be found here.