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Steroids and Steroid Cards

Why have I been sent this link? 

You’ve recently been prescribed a steroid medicine. Steroids can come as tablets, inhalers, injections, or creams/ointments. 

If you use steroids regularly or at higher doses, you may need to carry a steroid card. This helps keep you safe and ensures you receive the right treatment if you become unwell or need urgent care. 

Steroid medicines are commonly used for many conditions, including breathing problems (such as asthma or COPD), skin conditions, inflammatory conditions like PMR, and hormone (adrenal) conditions. 

 

What is a steroid card? 

There are two types of steroid alert cards: 

🔵 Steroid Treatment Card (Blue) 

This card is issued when you are prescribed a steroid medicine. 
It includes: 

  • The name of your steroid 
  • Your dose 
  • How long you are expected to take it 
  • Important safety advice 

It helps healthcare professionals understand your treatment and reduce risks linked with steroid use. 

 

🔴 NHS Steroid Emergency Card (Red) 

This card is issued if you may be at higher risk of adrenal insufficiency (when the body cannot produce enough natural steroid hormone). 

The card: 

  • Alerts healthcare professionals that you may need urgent steroid treatment if you are very unwell, injured, or having surgery 
  • Helps ensure you receive the correct treatment quickly in an emergency 

Some patients may be given both cards. 

When might I need a steroid card? 

You may need a steroid card if you: 

  • Have adrenal insufficiency (for example Addison’s disease or certain endocrine conditions) 
  • Take steroid tablets (such as prednisolone) 5 mg daily for 4 weeks or longer 
  • Have repeated courses of oral steroids 
  • Take regular higher-dose inhaled steroids or use regular higher-dose topical treatment (your GP or pharmacist can advise) 
  • Patients receiving intra-articular or intramuscular glucocorticoid injections who also use glucocorticoids by another route (e.g. inhaled steroids, oral steroids etc). 
  • Take medicines that affect how steroids are processed in the body (your pharmacist or GP can check this) 

If you are unsure it is better to carry a card and then health care professionals can decide if there are any concerns, please ask your GP practice or pharmacist — we are happy to help. 

 

How do I get a steroid card? 

Your prescriber or community pharmacist can provide your card. 
If your card is lost or damaged, your local pharmacy can supply a replacement. 

You can also download a digital copy of the Red card: 

steroid-card.pdf 

For children the British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes recommend: 

bsped-ai-card-april-2023-v1-6-fillable.pdf 

 

 

Why is carrying a steroid card important? 

Carrying your steroid card helps healthcare professionals: 

  • Understand your treatment quickly 
  • Give you the right care if you become unwell 
  • Prevent complications if your body needs extra steroid support 

For people who rely on steroid treatment long-term, missing doses when seriously unwell can lead to an adrenal crisis, which needs urgent medical treatment. The card helps prevent this by making sure the right care is given promptly. 

Most people taking steroids use them safely and benefit greatly from treatment. The card is simply an extra safety measure — like carrying important medical information with you. 

Please see Pituitary Foundation for more information on Adrenal Crisis.   

If you are unsure if you have adrenal insufficiency, please see