Which of the following is a systemic corticosteroid?

Which of the following is a systemic corticosteroid?

• A. Prednisone
• B. Pulmicort
• C. Advair
• D. Symbicort

Answer: (A)

Systemic corticosteroids circulate throughout the entire body, while inhaled corticosteroids act mainly in the lungs with minimal systemic exposure. Prednisone is taken orally and spreads through the bloodstream, producing anti-inflammatory effects across multiple tissues. This systemic action makes it a true systemic corticosteroid. In contrast, Pulmicort is inhaled budesonide delivered directly to the airways to reduce inflammation locally, with little systemic distribution. Advair and Symbicort are inhaled medications that combine an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator, also targeting the lungs primarily; they are not systemic corticosteroids. So prednisone best fits the description of a systemic corticosteroid.

Systemic corticosteroids circulate throughout the entire body, while inhaled corticosteroids act mainly in the lungs with minimal systemic exposure. Prednisone is taken orally and spreads through the bloodstream, producing anti-inflammatory effects across multiple tissues. This systemic action makes it a true systemic corticosteroid. In contrast, Pulmicort is inhaled budesonide delivered directly to the airways to reduce inflammation locally, with little systemic distribution. Advair and Symbicort are inhaled medications that combine an inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator, also targeting the lungs primarily; they are not systemic corticosteroids. So prednisone best fits the description of a systemic corticosteroid.