This is a drip via the vein of large doses of between 500mgs or 1000mgs and surprisingly without major side effects. The dose is variable, but here are some examples . An unwell patient, newly-diagnosed with acute lupus may require 60mgs daily, reducing to 40 or 30 mgs daily over two weeks. For milder cases, a patient whose lupus has flared, a dose of between 15-20 mgs daily might be given for a few weeks. Many years ago, doses of over 80 mgs daily were given, but this is now regarded as excessive.
High doses are toxic and has side effects.
Any patient taking steroids ought to carry with them a card indicating their dosage. Alternatively, a Medic Alert bracelet, containing diagnosis and medications taken, is essential. Steroids must never be stopped suddenly and their reduction must be carried out under strict medical supervision. At first, the reduction can be steep but flattens later. For example, a dosage of 60 mgs can be reduced quickly to 40 mgs or 20 mgs daily, but after that, reduction must be slower.