Giant cell arteritis

TREATMENT
GOALS

GCA can begin suddenly and requires immediate steroid treatment.

Steroids are an effective early treatment option, but they may cause serious side effects, especially when used over long periods of time—even at low doses. For the long term, other non-steroid treatments are available to help people living with GCA reach remission.

Diagnosing and treating GCA early can reduce the risk of serious health complications, like vision loss. So, goals for patients with GCA can include reducing long-term steroid use and getting symptoms under control.

Steroids (like prednisone)

People diagnosed with GCA are usually prescribed steroids to reduce inflammation, bring symptoms under control, and prevent serious health complications. 

While steroids work to immediately control inflammation, prolonged use or high doses of steroids can cause side effects, like: 

Mood changes

Swelling of the face

Muscle weakness

Bone loss and increased risk of fracture

Wounds that won’t heal

Weight gain

High blood pressure

High blood sugar

Increased risk of infection

Your rheumatologist can help you further understand the risks and benefits of steroids.

Non-steroid treatment options

To minimize steroid side effects and keep inflammation under control, long-term treatment plans for GCA include steroid tapering, which is the process of decreasing the dose over time.

Talk to your doctor about treatment options that allow for you to gradually get off steroids, and discuss the benefits and risks of treatment.

Because GCA is a chronic condition, symptom flares may occur even while on treatment. This could indicate a return of GCA, so an immediate treatment of another round of steroids is typical to help avoid serious health complications.

Working with a rheumatologist

The best way to manage GCA is to partner with your healthcare provider—specifically, a rheumatologist. Together, you can develop an effective treatment plan.

Learn about a non-steroid
treatment option for GCA

Learn more about a non-steroid treatment option.

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