Steroid taper: How slow is slow enough?

No great data here but the recommendation of Daniel E. Furst and Kenneth G. Saag, two prominent rheumatologists is:

• No need to taper if given < 3 weeks, even at fairly high dose.


• Taper dose 10 - 20 % every 1 - 2 weeks if on steroids > 3 weeks.

Based on this info, most of us in the ED probably don't have to write for tapers given our generally short duration of steroid treatment.

Source

Furst, Daniel MD and Sagg, Kenneth MD. "Glucocorticoid withdrawal" Up to date. 20 Dec 2006. <http://www.uptodate.com>