Corticosteroid-Induced Mania After Previous Tolerance of Higher Doses

Corticosteroids have several widely documented adverse effects. However, there is no systematic study evaluating the frequency and associations of corticosteroid-induced mania. We report a case of corticosteroid-induced mania in a patient that previously tolerated higher doses of steroid therapy without neuropsychiatric symptoms. Although there is evidence suggesting a dose-dependent relationship, previous tolerance has not been proven to correlate with reduced frequency of developing mania or psychosis on the reintroduction of the medication. Therefore, patients restarting steroids should proceed carefully, even when receiving low doses.