Wallet card, bracelet, and grab bag

If you're taking steroid medications, you need an emergency plan.

Missing your steroids during illness, surgery, or an accident could cause complications. Thankfully, with good preparation, serious outcomes are rare. By taking a few simple steps, such as carrying a steroid emergency card, wearing a medical alert bracelet, and keeping a grab bag ready, you can ensure you receive the right treatment quickly and safely.

Who needs a steroid emergency card?

You should carry a steroid emergency card if you take the equivalent of 5 mg of prednisone or more daily for 4 weeks or longer (this includes oral, inhaled, intranasal, or topical steroids). Or, if you have been prescribed repeated courses of steroids or recently stopped long-term steroid treatment.

 

To download your very own Sam steroid emergency card, just click here.

Why an emergency plan matters

Normally, your adrenal glands make cortisol, a vital hormone that helps your body respond to stress. But if you're taking steroids, your body may not produce enough cortisol on its own.

During physical stress, an infection, surgery, or an accident, you may suddenly need more cortisol than usual. Without it, your blood pressure may drop, and other complications of an “adrenal crisis” may ensue. 

In a crisis situation, every second counts. Medical teams need to know immediately that you receive steroid treatment regularly, and you may not be able to explain.

That’s why it's important to carry a steroid wallet card, wear medical ID jewelry, and have an emergency steroid kit ready.

Set up a steroid wallet card

A steroid emergency card tells emergency staff that you are at risk and need immediate steroid treatment.

Your card should include:

• Your name and date of birth
• Your condition
• Your usual steroid medication and dose
• Emergency instructions (ask your doctor about what these should be)
• Your doctor's name and emergency contact number

Tip: Keep your card somewhere easy to find, like your wallet or phone case.

Wear medical ID jewelry

Medical alert bracelets or necklaces can speak for you when you can't. In an emergency, paramedics are trained to look for medical ID jewelry.

What to include on your bracelet/tag:

• "[Your condition] - regular steroid user"
• ICE ("In Case of Emergency") phone number, if possible

There are many stylish and practical options. The important thing is visibility and clarity.

Build your emergency grab bag

An emergency steroid kit should go with you if you're traveling, hiking, or even just living daily life.

Your grab bag should include:

• Spare treatments
• Clear written instructions for emergency treatment
• Your steroid wallet card and a medication list
• Contact details for your physician who prescribes your steroids, and your local hospital or clinic

Family members, friends, and caregivers should know where it is and how to use it. 

Be sure to educate your support circle

You are not alone in managing this risk. Make sure your family, friends, caregivers, work colleagues, and teachers (for schoolchildren) know that you are steroid-dependent, understand adrenal crisis warning signs (like sudden weakness, vomiting, confusion, low blood pressure), and know when and how to act.

Encourage them to watch training videos or attend a teaching session from your medical team.

When to use your emergency plan

You need urgent steroid treatment if you experience:

• Severe infection (high fever, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Physical trauma (accident, fall, fracture)
• Surgery
• Symptoms of adrenal crisis: weakness, confusion, dizziness, vomiting, cold/clammy skin

Important: Never delay starting emergency steroids if a crisis is suspected, and always call emergency services.

Be prepared

Creating your emergency plan, a wallet card, bracelet, and grab bag could be the most important thing you do today for your safety.

Talk with your doctor or healthcare professional about setting up your emergency kit, and make sure your loved ones know exactly what to do.

To learn more about why we reduce steroids slowly, read our article explaining the tapering process.