Psoriatic Arthritis treatments: Corticosteroids

This page is for reference only as this product is now discontinued

Adcortyl injection contains triamcinolone acetonide, a corticosteroid (steroid) medicine. It is given by injection to reduce inflammation, pain and swelling in joints and other areas.

For psoriatic arthritis, corticosteroid injections may sometimes be used to treat inflammation and pain in an individual joint. NICE recommends considering local corticosteroid injections for some people with psoriatic arthritis, particularly when only one joint is affected.

How does it work?

Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation around and within joints. This inflammation can lead to pain, swelling and stiffness.

Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation. When injected into or around an affected joint, it can reduce the inflammatory response and help relieve pain and swelling.

Who can have it?

Adcortyl IA/ID Injection is a prescription-only medicine used in adults and children in appropriate circumstances.

How is it used?

Adcortyl IA/ID Injection is given by a healthcare professional as an injection into a joint, tendon sheath or bursa. It is not intended to be taken by mouth or given by other routes.

The dose depends on the size of the joint and the severity of the inflammation.

• Smaller joints: 2.5–5 mg (0.25–0.5 ml)

• Larger joints: 5–15 mg (0.5–1.5 ml)

The injection could be repeated if symptoms returned, rather than being given at a fixed interval. Adcortyl should not be injected into the Achilles tendon.

What are the side effects?

Like all medicines, corticosteroid injections can cause side effects. Because the medicine is injected into a particular area, side effects are often local, although some steroid can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

You may experience:

• temporary pain or discomfort at the injection site
• a temporary increase in pain or inflammation after the injection
• thinning or indentation of the skin around the injection site
• changes in skin colour around the injection site
• infection in the joint or injection site, although this is uncommon.

Repeated or high-dose steroid treatment can sometimes cause effects elsewhere in the body, such as increased blood glucose, changes in blood pressure, mood changes and suppression of the body's own steroid production.

Seek medical advice promptly if you develop severe or increasing pain, redness, swelling, fever or feel unwell after an injection, as these can be signs of infection.

How do I get a corticosteroid injection?

Corticosteroid injections are given by an appropriately trained healthcare professional. Your rheumatology team or doctor will consider whether an injection is suitable based on which joints are affected, the severity of your symptoms and your other treatments.

For people with psoriatic arthritis, local corticosteroid injections may be used alongside other treatments when appropriate. They are generally intended to provide symptom relief rather than replace treatments that control the underlying disease.

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Adcortyl  Injection was marketed by Bristol Myers Squibb. The UK product is now discontinued.

Reviewed: August 2026
Version ID: 2/ADC/PAT/08/26

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid  medicine. Corticosteroids are similar to hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands and have an important role in controlling inflammation and the immune system.

Betamethasone is a strong corticosteroid that can be taken by mouth to reduce inflammation in a number of conditions. It may sometimes be used for a short period to help control a flare of inflammatory disease.

How does it work?

Inflammation is part of the body's immune response. It can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, heat and stiffness.

Betamethasone works by reducing the activity of the immune system and the release of substances that cause inflammation. This reduces inflammation and can help improve symptoms.

Betamethasone is much more potent than the corticosteroids naturally produced by the body. Because of this, treatment can cause side effects, particularly when higher doses are used or treatment continues for a long time.

Who can have it?

Betamethasone soluble tablets are available on prescription.

They can be used in adults and, when clinically appropriate, in children. The dose for children is based on their age, size, condition and response to treatment and should be decided by a doctor.

How is it used?

The dose depends on the condition being treated, how severe it is and how well you respond to treatment. The aim is to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

The following doses are given as a guide:

Adults

• Short-term treatment: usually 2–3 mg daily for the first few days, followed by a gradual reduction in the dose.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: usually 0.5–2 mg daily, with the lowest effective dose used for longer-term treatment.
• Other inflammatory conditions: usually 1.5–5 mg daily for one to three weeks, followed by a gradual reduction when appropriate.

Betamethasone soluble tablets can be dissolved in water before taking them or swallowed whole.

If you have been taking betamethasone for a long time

Do not stop taking betamethasone suddenly unless your doctor tells you to. After prolonged treatment, the body may reduce its own production of corticosteroids, so the dose usually needs to be reduced gradually.

Your doctor may also give you specific instructions about what to do if you become unwell, have an infection or need surgery while taking steroids.

What are the side effects?

Like all medicines, betamethasone can cause side effects. The risk depends on the dose and how long you take it.

Possible side effects of corticosteroid treatment include:

• increased appetite and weight gain
• indigestion or stomach problems
• difficulty sleeping
• changes in mood, including feeling low, anxious or unusually excited
• increased blood sugar, which can be particularly important if you have diabetes
• increased risk of infections
• thinning of the skin and easier bruising
• muscle weakness
• thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), particularly with longer-term treatment
• changes in vision, including cataracts or increased pressure in the eye
• changes in menstrual periods
• slower growth in children and adolescents with prolonged treatment.

Long-term or high-dose treatment can also affect the adrenal glands and the body's ability to produce its own corticosteroids.

How do I get it?

Betamethasone soluble tablets are prescription-only medicines. Your doctor or specialist will decide whether they are appropriate for you and what dose you need.

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Betamethasone is marketed in the UK by Roma Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/BET/PAT/09/26

Deflazacort is a corticosteroid medicine. Corticosteroids are similar to hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands and help control inflammation and the immune system.

Deflazacort is a systemic corticosteroid, which means it works throughout the body. It can be used to treat a range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including some forms of arthritis.

For people with psoriatic arthritis, corticosteroids may sometimes be used for a short period to help control significant inflammation or a flare. However, they are not usually used as a long-term treatment for psoriatic arthritis.

How does it work?

Inflammation is part of the body's immune response. It can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling and stiffness.

Deflazacort reduces inflammation by suppressing the activity of the immune system and reducing the release of substances that cause inflammation.

Because deflazacort affects the immune system throughout the body, it can also increase the risk of infections and cause other steroid-related side effects, particularly when higher doses are used or treatment continues for a long time.

Who can have it?

Deflazacort is a prescription-only medicine and can be used in adults and children when prescribed by a doctor.

The dose for children is based on their body weight and the condition being treated.

How is it used?

The dose depends on the condition being treated, how severe it is and how well you respond to treatment.

The aim is to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

Adults

For most conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, the usual maintenance dose is 3–18 mg taken by mouth once daily.

For more serious conditions, a higher starting dose may be needed. The current product information states that doses of up to 120 mg a day may sometimes be required initially.

For an acute asthma attack, doses of 48–72 mg a day may be needed initially, followed by a gradual reduction once the attack is controlled.

Children

The dose for children is calculated according to body weight and the condition being treated. Your doctor will decide the appropriate dose.

For some inflammatory conditions, including chronic arthritis, the dose may be in the range of 0.25–1 mg/kg body weight each day.

Stopping treatment

If you have been taking deflazacort for a prolonged period, do not stop it suddenly unless your doctor tells you to.

The body can reduce its own production of corticosteroids during treatment. The dose may therefore need to be reduced gradually to allow the adrenal glands to recover.

Even after a shorter course, gradual withdrawal may sometimes be necessary, particularly if you have had repeated courses of steroids or previously taken steroids for a long time.

What are the side effects?

Like all medicines, deflazacort can cause side effects. The risk generally increases with higher doses and longer treatment.

Possible side effects of corticosteroid treatment include:

• increased appetite and weight gain
• indigestion, nausea or stomach problems
• fluid retention and an increase in blood pressure
• increased blood sugar, which can be particularly important if you have diabetes
• increased risk of infections
• thinning of the skin and easier bruising
• muscle weakness
• thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) and an increased risk of fractures with longer-term treatment
• acne and increased hair growth
• difficulty sleeping
• headaches, dizziness or vertigo
• changes in mood, including feeling depressed, unusually excited or restless
• menstrual changes
• suppression of the body's natural production of corticosteroid hormones
• slower growth in children and adolescents with prolonged treatment.

Rarely, corticosteroids can cause more serious psychological effects or worsen existing mental health conditions.

How do I get it?

Deflazacort is available only on prescription. Your doctor or specialist will decide whether it is appropriate for you and what dose you need.

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Deflazacort is known commercially as Calcort and is marketed in the UK by Neon Healthcare Ltd.

Reviewed September 2026
Version ID: 2/DEF/PAT/09/26

Hydrocortisone acetate is a corticosteroid medicine. Corticosteroids are similar to hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands and help control inflammation.

Hydrocortisone acetate can be given as an injection into a joint or into the tissues around a joint to reduce inflammation, pain and swelling.

For some people with psoriatic arthritis, a corticosteroid injection may be used when one or a small number of joints are particularly inflamed. It is usually intended to provide short-term relief and is not a treatment that controls psoriatic arthritis throughout the body.

How does it work?

Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation in and around the joints. This can result in pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty moving the affected joint.

Hydrocortisone acetate reduces the activity of the immune system and the release of substances that cause inflammation. When it is injected into an affected joint or surrounding tissue, it can reduce inflammation and help relieve pain and improve movement.

Although the injection is given locally, some of the corticosteroid can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The amount absorbed depends on factors such as the dose, the number of injections and where the injection is given.

Who can have it?

Corticosteroid injections are prescription-only treatments and are given by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.

Your doctor or rheumatology team will decide whether an injection is appropriate. Factors such as which joints are affected, how active the inflammation is and your other medical conditions and treatments will be taken into account.

How is it used?

Hydrocortisone acetate is given by injection into an affected joint or into the tissues around a joint, depending on the condition being treated.

The dose is decided by the healthcare professional and depends on the size of the joint, the severity of the inflammation and the area being treated.

There is no single dose that is suitable for everyone. Your doctor will determine the appropriate amount and whether further injections are needed.

Corticosteroid injections are generally used to provide short-term relief of inflammation and symptoms. They do not replace disease-modifying treatments used to control psoriatic arthritis and reduce the risk of joint damage.

What are the side effects?

Like all medicines, corticosteroid injections can cause side effects. These may be local to the injection site or, because some steroid can enter the bloodstream, may affect other parts of the body.

Possible side effects include:

• temporary pain or discomfort after the injection
• temporary worsening of pain or swelling
• pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
• thinning or changes in the skin around the injection site
• changes in skin colour around the injection site
• an increased risk of infection.

Repeated injections or high doses may increase the amount of steroid absorbed into the bloodstream. This can sometimes cause steroid-related effects such as:

• increased blood glucose
• increased blood pressure
• fluid retention
• changes in mood or sleep
• suppression of the body's natural production of corticosteroids
• thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) with prolonged or repeated exposure.

How do I get it?

Corticosteroid injections are given by a healthcare professional. Your GP, rheumatology team or another appropriately trained clinician can advise whether an injection is suitable for you.

The number and frequency of injections will depend on your individual circumstances.

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Hydrocortisone is marketed in the UK by Sovereign Medical Ltd and is known commercially as Hydrocortistab

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/HYD/PAT/26

This page is for reference only as this product is now discontinued

Kenalog contains the active ingredient triamcinolone acetonide, which belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids (steroids). When given as an injection into a joint, it can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain, swelling and stiffness.

How does it work?

Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation. Injecting it into or around an affected joint can help reduce the inflammation causing pain, swelling and stiffness.

Corticosteroids also affect the immune system and can be used to treat a wide range of inflammatory conditions.

Who can get it?

Kenalog was used in adults and children aged 6 years and over, depending on the condition being treated and the site of the injection.

For joint problems, it was used for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis where there was an inflammatory component.

For people with psoriatic arthritis, a corticosteroid injection may sometimes be used to provide short-term relief, particularly when inflammation is affecting one joint.

How is it used?

Kenalog was given as an injection by a healthcare professional.

When injected into a joint, the dose depended on the size of the joint and the condition being treated. The healthcare professional giving the injection would decide on the appropriate dose.

The injection may provide relief for a period of time, but the length of benefit varies between people. Steroid injections treat inflammation and symptoms but do not control the underlying psoriatic arthritis.

What are the side effects?

Side effects following an injection into a joint are uncommon, but may include:

• temporary pain or discomfort around the injection site
• a temporary increase in pain or inflammation, sometimes called a post-injection flare
• skin thinning or changes in skin colour around the injection site
• dizziness or flushing
• infection at the injection site
• temporary increases in blood glucose levels, particularly in people with diabetes.

Repeated injections into the same joint may increase the risk of joint damage. Injections around tendons also need to be given carefully because tendon damage or rupture can occur.

If the joint becomes increasingly painful, hot or swollen after an injection, or you develop a fever, seek medical advice as this may indicate an infection.

How do I get it?

Kenalog Intra-articular/Intramuscular Injection was a prescription-only medicine and was administered by a healthcare professional.

It is now listed as discontinued in the UK. If a corticosteroid injection is considered appropriate, your healthcare professional can advise which currently available preparation is suitable.

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Kenalog Intra-articular/Intramuscular Injection was previously marketed in the UK by Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The product is currently listed as discontinued in the UK.

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/KEN/PAT/09/26

Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid medicine that can be given by injection to reduce inflammation. When injected into or around a joint, it can help relieve pain, swelling and stiffness caused by inflammatory joint conditions.

How does it work?

Methylprednisolone works by reducing inflammation and suppressing some of the activity of the immune system.

When it is injected into a joint or the tissues around a joint, it can reduce local inflammation and provide relief from pain and swelling.

How quickly it works varies between people. Some people notice an improvement within a few days, although the response can vary depending on the condition being treated.

Who can get it?

Methylprednisolone injection is available on prescription and may be used in adults and children, depending on the condition being treated.

Depo-Medrone can be given by injection into a joint for conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis with an inflammatory component. It can also be injected into tissues around a joint, such as bursae or tendon sheaths, for certain inflammatory conditions.

For people with psoriatic arthritis, a corticosteroid injection may sometimes be used to provide short-term relief from symptoms, particularly when inflammation is affecting one or a small number of joints.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell your doctor before having the injection. Your doctor will consider the potential benefits and risks before recommending treatment.

How is it used?

Methylprednisolone injection is given by a healthcare professional.

For an injection into a joint, the dose depends on the size of the joint and the severity of the condition. For Methylprednisolone, the recommended doses range from 4–10 mg for small joints to 20–80 mg for large joints such as the knee, ankle or shoulder.

After an injection, you may be advised to avoid overusing the treated joint for a short period. Follow the advice given by the healthcare professional who gives you the injection.

What are the side effects?

Most people do not have serious problems following a joint injection, but side effects can include:

• temporary pain or discomfort at the injection site
• a temporary increase in pain or inflammation, known as a post-injection flare
• skin thinning or a change in skin colour around the injection site
• flushing or dizziness
• temporary changes in blood glucose levels, particularly in people with diabetes
• infection in the joint or at the injection site, although this is uncommon.

Because some methylprednisolone can be absorbed into the bloodstream after a joint injection, other steroid-related effects can occasionally occur. The risk is greater with repeated injections or higher doses.

If the injected joint becomes increasingly painful, hot or swollen, or you develop a fever or feel unwell, seek medical advice promptly. These can be signs of an infection.

How do I get it?

Methylprednisolone injection is a prescription-only medicine and is given by a healthcare professional.

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Methylprednisolone is known commercially as Depo-Medrone and is marketed in the UK by Pfizer Ltd

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/MET/PAT/09/26

Prednisolone is a corticosteroid medicine that reduces inflammation. It can be given by injection to help relieve inflammation and symptoms affecting joints and the tissues around them.

Corticosteroid injections may sometimes be used in people with inflammatory arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, to provide short-term relief from pain, swelling and stiffness.

How does it work?

Prednisolone works by reducing inflammation and suppressing some of the activity of the immune system.

When a corticosteroid is injected into or around a joint, it can act locally to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.

The length of time it takes to work and how long the benefit lasts varies from person to person.

Corticosteroids can also be given by injection into a muscle when a systemic (whole-body) effect is needed for certain inflammatory or allergic conditions.

Who can get it?

Prednisolone injection may be prescribed for adults and children, depending on the condition being treated.

Your doctor will consider your age, medical history, other medicines and the area being treated before recommending an injection.

How is it used?

Prednisolone injection is given by a healthcare professional.

When an injection is given into or around a joint, the amount used depends on the joint or area being treated and the individual circumstances. Your healthcare professional will decide on the appropriate dose.

If the medicine is being given by intramuscular injection for a condition requiring systemic corticosteroid treatment, the dose and duration will depend on the condition being treated.

After a joint injection, you may be advised to rest or avoid strenuous activity involving the joint for a short period. Follow the advice given by the healthcare professional who gives you the injection.

What are the side effects?

Most people do not experience serious problems following a local corticosteroid injection. Possible side effects include:

• temporary pain or discomfort at the injection site
• a temporary increase in pain or inflammation, sometimes called a post-injection flare
• skin thinning or a change in skin colour around the injection site
• flushing or dizziness
• temporary changes in blood glucose levels, particularly in people with diabetes
• infection at the injection site or in the joint, although this is uncommon.

Some of the medicine may be absorbed into the bloodstream. Steroid-related effects are more likely with repeated injections, higher doses or when corticosteroids are also being taken in other forms.

If you develop increasing pain, warmth or swelling in the injected joint, or develop a fever or feel unwell, seek medical advice promptly as this could indicate an infection.

How do I get it?

Prednisolone injection is a prescription-only medicine and is given by a healthcare professional.

A corticosteroid injection can provide short-term relief from inflammation and symptoms, but it does not control the underlying psoriatic arthritis. If you have ongoing or progressive joint inflammation, you may need disease-modifying treatment such as a DMARD.

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Prednisolone is available on prescription. It is known commercially as Deltastab and is marketed in the UK by Amdipharm Plc

Reviewed: September 2026
Version ID: 2/MET/PAT/09/26