They are well absorbed when administered. PO and are particularly useful when anti­inflammatory treatment is required for a period of one to several weeks. Other preparations are available for parenteral use. The sodium phosphate and succinate salts are highly water soluble, providing a rapid onset of action when given IV, and are often used in shock therapy.

 

Other injectable formulations include insoluble esters such as methyl-prednisolone acetate and triamcinolone acetate, which have limited water solubility.

 

The systemic absorption from these preparations is very slow and may result in anti­inflammatory effects and associated HPAA suppression for several weeks.

 

Corticosteroid preparations available for topical or intralesional administration can be effective in treating inflammation of the skin, eyes, or ears.

 

Although controversial, intra-articular (IA) administration of glucocorticoids has been used in humans and animals, particularly horses, to manage inflammatory joint disease. In horses, for IA administration, triamcinolone acetonide is preferred over methylprednisolone acetate.