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Prednisone side effects and how to avoid them.
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And keep loved ones in the loop so they can give you any extra support you need. Most steroid side effects only occur when people take prednisone long-term. For non-chronic issues, you might take it only for a couple of weeks. Ford explains. Then the prednisone stays in your system long enough at lower levels so the whole reaction can turn itself off.
For longer-term prescriptions, doctors may taper down dosages gradually to get them as low as possible without the return of symptoms. The right prednisone dosage helps your body fire on all cylinders and reduces potential side effects. Ford cautions. Go to Call if you're worried about a child under the age of 5 years. You may notice mood changes and mental health problems while taking prednisolone. Talk to your doctor or contact if you have any mood changes including:. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to prednisolone.
You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital. Taking prednisolone at higher doses for a long time can slow down the normal growth of children and teenagers. Your child's doctor will monitor their height and weight carefully for as long as they're taking this medicine.
This will help them spot any slowing down of your child's growth and change their treatment if needed. Even if your child's growth slows down, it does not seem to have much effect on their eventual adult height.
Talk to your doctor if you're worried. The catch with prednisone is that it suppresses the entire immune system—which means more unwanted risks and side effects, like increased risk of infection. That said, you can target specific joints by getting the drug injected into them, rather than taking it as a pill, which can reduce unwanted effects, says Dr.
The downsides to taking prednisone range from mildly annoying to severe, based on your dosage and how long you take it. So how do you get the desired effect of this drug—reduced pain and swelling—and lower the risk of these unwanted side effects, or manage them should they strike?
Read on for tips. Prednisone side effects largely depend on the dose you take, explains Kevin Deane, M. Essentially, a low dose means fewer side effects, and a high dose more than 20 mg per day means more side effects.
In fact, some of the more serious side effects you hear about with prednisone—like thinning of bones osteoporosis and increased risk of infection—tend to be side effects from long-term use, says Dr. Deane meaning more than a month or so. Again, he suggests going into treatment with a mindset that you'll use prednisone for a short time—ideally, two weeks or less. Tummy troubles like upset stomach, diarrhea, and a possible increased risk of stomach ulcers are some of the more immediate side effects of steroid use.
To lower the chances of dealing with these, avoid taking your prednisone with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, says Dr. Your doc also may suggest you take an additional med to help protect your stomach, like a proton-pump inhibitor, he says.
Make sure to get medical help at any sign of an infection. Corticosteroids like prednisone can cause some unpleasant and even serious withdrawal problems, so follow the tapering dose schedule given by the prescriber. If prednisone is causing problems, talk to a healthcare professional before stopping the drug abruptly. When side effects do become a problem, there are ways to either help minimize the problem or prevent further problems.
Infections can become serious when taking prednisone. Immediately inform a healthcare professional at any sign of infection. Make sure to tell family and friends about possible mood changes and irritability before taking prednisone.
If sleeping is a problem, the prescriber may suggest taking the dose of prednisone earlier in the day. Practice good sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time each night, turning out the light, and removing any distractions before or after going to bed.
Antacids can also help. Avoid alcohol and other medications that can bother the stomach. Get medical help if you vomit blood or blood clots, if stools become black and tarry, or if abdominal pain does not go away.
Talk to a healthcare professional at any sign of low potassium including muscle weakness, cramps, heart flutters, constipation, or increased urinary frequency. Prednisone affects the hormone system that keeps the adrenal gland functioning at full capacity.
This can become a problem when prednisone is stopped after taking it for more than a few days. Prednisone doses are often lowered slowly. Talk to the prescribing healthcare provider if the following symptoms occur: weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, light-headedness, skin color changes, and cravings for salt. If blood pressure drops too low, immediate medical attention may be needed.
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Common prednisone side effects Serious side effects Insomnia Weight gain Hair loss Constipation Side effects timeline Contraindications Warnings Interactions How to avoid side effects How to treat side effects. Prednisone is a generic prescription drug prescribed for many medical conditions including allergic reactionsinflammatory arthritiscancer, autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome IBSlung disorders, endocrine disorders, blood disorders, connective tissue disorders, and organ transplants.
As a corticosteroidprednisone primarily affects the immune system to reduce inflammation. Unfortunately, it also has a rich variety of side effects. At a low dose for a short time, prednisone can provide tremendous benefits without serious problems. High-dose or long-term treatment may be needed for certain conditions, but is also associated with more side effects.
Not all prednisone side effects are avoidable, but they may be minimized or managed. Prednisone has a long list of common side effects affecting just about every system in the body. Most people—about 2 in every 3—will experience some side effects when taking prednisone.
Common side effects include:. Serious side effects are more likely when taken in high doses or for a long time. These include:. When taken over the long term, serious side effects might also involve:. While the incidence is not knownsleep problems are a common complaint in people taking prednisone.
It may not always affect total sleep timebut people taking prednisone may wake up during the night more than usual and feel less rested in addition to having problems falling asleep. People can try to take prednisone early in the day and practice good sleep hygiene. If sleep quality becomes a problem, ask for medical advice from a healthcare professional. When taken continuously for a long enough time, corticosteroids are associated with weight gain.
Fluid retention also adds weight, but this will go away when steroid treatment is stopped. In some people, prednisone and other corticosteroids may accelerate hair thinning, but the incidence is unknown. However, they may also cause unwanted hair growth. Talk to a healthcare provider if hair loss or unwanted growth is becoming problematic.
Some people experience constipation when taking prednisone. Constipation can be managed through fluid intake, fiber intake, and medications, so talk to a healthcare provider if constipation is a problem when taking prednisone.
Women may be more vulnerable to prednisone side effects. Studies have shown that men eliminate prednisolone, the active version of prednisone, from the body faster than women, which may be a factor.
Age may also be a factor because women past menopause clear prednisolone from the body more slowly than premenopausal women. No matter the reason, always get medical advice when the problems seem to outweigh the benefits of a drug. When a prednisone tablet is taken, it is rapidly and almost fully absorbed into the body, and will reach peak concentration in one or two hours. Some side effects such as headache, insomnia, abdominal pain, and mood problems can come on within that short period.
Others such as fluid retention, skin problems, and increased appetite will take a few days or weeks to become a problem. Some side effects are experienced more commonly by people taking prednisone for longer periods of time, including weight gain, facial puffiness, and thinning hair. Many of the most serious side effects occur with long-term use or high doses.
The body clears prednisolone, the active version of prednisone, pretty slowly. The half-life ranges anywhere from 18 to 36 hours, so it may take a few days for side effects like headache, mood swings, or irritability to start getting better. Some side effects, such as weight gain, swelling, hair loss, or skin problems may take a few weeks or months to return to normal. Even after prednisone has been stopped, some side effects may have long-term consequences, such as bone loss, muscle damage, glaucoma, cataracts, and heart failure.
Some medical conditions make taking prednisone too risky. Risks and benefits of prednisone should be discussed with the pregnant person. When possible, long-term treatment and treatment during early pregnancy should be avoided. Corticosteroids like prednisone can harm a fetus by causing adrenal gland problems or cleft palate. Women who are breastfeeding are given prednisone, but often at the lowest possible dose.
Although prednisone is present in the breast milk of mothers on prednisone treatment, the amounts are small, and no adverse effects on nursing babies have yet been reported. The FDA has determined that prednisone is safe and effective in treating some medical conditions in infants, children, and teens. Prednisone has a variety of effects that can worsen some medical conditions.
Try to avoid exposure to infections and certain vaccines while taking prednisone. In addition, people with reduced thyroid function or cirrhosis of the liver may be more likely to experience prednisone side effects. Prednisone may be less effective when given to people with overactive thyroid. Prednisone is not used as a recreational drug. It does not cause physical dependence, but it does suppress adrenal gland function, an important source of hormones including cortisol.
Its sudden discontinuation can cause withdrawal symptoms. The adrenal gland may not fully function for weeks or months after treatment has ended.
Healthcare professionals typically stop prednisone by using a gradually decreasing dose over several weeks to prevent withdrawal symptoms. There is no maximum dosage for prednisone, but do not take more than instructed.
Prednisone can cause problems in high doses or when taken for a long time. If the prescribed dose is exceeded, call a poison helpline for advice. Because it affects so many systems in the body, prednisone can have a variety of drug interactions. These combinations can affect the safety or effectiveness of prednisone, the other drugs, or both. In particular, live vaccines such as chickenpox vaccine can never be used when a person is taking prednisone or other corticosteroids.
Because prednisone suppresses the immune system, it increases the risk of infection by these vaccines. Because prednisone suppresses the immune system, other drugs that may be a problem include:.
In essence, prednisone worsens the conditions these drugs treat. Some drugs increase the risk of side effects and may need extra monitoring for problems including:. Side effects are common when taking corticosteroids like prednisone.
A few tips can help keep them at a minimum. Take prednisone tablets as prescribed. The dose can vary widely, from just a few milligrams to more than for some very serious conditions. Most doses are between 5 and 60 mg per day. Understand the proper dose and follow the dosing schedule rigorously. Use an alarm or app to help remember doses. As with all medications, the best way to avoid side effects is to make sure the prescribing healthcare provider knows about all past and present medical conditions, especially :.
Another way to avoid side effects is to keep a list of all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements being taken and let the prescriber read it over. In particular, make sure the prescribing healthcare provider is informed about any recent live vaccines or plans for vaccines.
Taking prednisone with a meal or snack will help prevent or minimize stomach pain and other gastrointestinal side effects. Another good way to avoid digestive system problems, particularly ulcers, is to avoid alcohol and NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen. To avoid weight gain from steroid treatment, eat a healthy diet and increase exercise levels. A nutritionist or dietitian can help and they will likely advise a diet high in lean protein.
When taking prednisone long-term, weight-bearing exercise can help prevent or minimize bone density loss. Fluid retention can be minimized by adopting a low-salt diet. By keeping excess fluid from building up, other side effects such as swelling and weight gain can also be minimized. To avoid bone loss while taking prednisone over a long time, take calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Again, a nutritionist or dietitian can help, as well as having a regular exercise routine. While taking prednisone, try to stay away from people with infections. Wash your hands regularly. Wearing a mask is always a good idea. Make sure to get medical help at any sign of an infection. Corticosteroids like prednisone can cause some unpleasant and even serious withdrawal problems, so follow the tapering dose schedule given by the prescriber.
If prednisone is causing problems, talk to a healthcare professional before stopping the drug abruptly. When side effects do become a problem, there are ways to either help minimize the problem or prevent further problems. Infections can become serious when taking prednisone.
Immediately inform a healthcare professional at any sign of infection. Make sure to tell family and friends about possible mood changes and irritability before taking prednisone. If sleeping is a problem, the prescriber may suggest taking the dose of prednisone earlier in the day. Practice good sleep hygiene by going to bed at the same time each night, turning out the light, and removing any distractions before or after going to bed.
Antacids can also help. Avoid alcohol and other medications that can bother the stomach. Get medical help if you vomit blood or blood clots, if stools become black and tarry, or if abdominal pain does not go away.
Talk to a healthcare professional at any sign of low potassium including muscle weakness, cramps, heart flutters, constipation, or increased urinary frequency. Prednisone affects the hormone system that keeps the adrenal gland functioning at full capacity.
Abdominal or stomach cramping or burning (severe); abdominal or stomach pain; backache; bloody, black, or tarry stools; cough or hoarseness. Abdominal pain; Anorexia or weight loss; Body pains; Diarrhea; Fatigue; Fever; Headache in the morning; Nausea; Poor growth and weight gain in children. Abdominal pain; Anorexia or weight loss; Body pains; Diarrhea; Fatigue; Fever; Headache in the morning; Nausea; Poor growth and weight gain in children. Taking prednisone with a meal or snack will help prevent or minimize stomach pain and other gastrointestinal side effects. 5. Avoid NSAIDs and. Stomach upset. Prednisone may cause gastrointestinal symptoms when you take it on an empty stomach. What you can do: This one is pretty simple. Diet and exercise also protect bone health. Tarrant says. Rheumatoid Arthritis. If sleeping is a problem, the prescriber may suggest taking the dose of prednisone earlier in the day.Taking medication is almost always part of the treatment game when you have a chronic inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis , ankylosing spondylitis, or multiple sclerosis. And along with DMARDs and biologics that manage symptoms and prevent joint damage long-term, there's a very good chance you'll also be prescribed a steroid like prednisone along the way.
But what exactly is this drug, and how does it affect the body? Keep reading to learn what you need to know about prednisone, including tips for how to lessen unwanted side effects.
Inflammatory autoimmune diseases need constant management. In an ideal scenario, prednisone is not a drug for long-term use—more like a couple of weeks, says Terri Tarrant, M. Doctors prescribe prednisone for RA because it provides fast pain relief, she says. Prednisone is an immunosuppressant, Dr. Tarrant says. This is helpful because with an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue causing inflammation in the joints and body-wide.
The catch with prednisone is that it suppresses the entire immune system—which means more unwanted risks and side effects, like increased risk of infection. That said, you can target specific joints by getting the drug injected into them, rather than taking it as a pill, which can reduce unwanted effects, says Dr. The downsides to taking prednisone range from mildly annoying to severe, based on your dosage and how long you take it.
So how do you get the desired effect of this drug—reduced pain and swelling—and lower the risk of these unwanted side effects, or manage them should they strike? Read on for tips. Prednisone side effects largely depend on the dose you take, explains Kevin Deane, M.
Essentially, a low dose means fewer side effects, and a high dose more than 20 mg per day means more side effects. In fact, some of the more serious side effects you hear about with prednisone—like thinning of bones osteoporosis and increased risk of infection—tend to be side effects from long-term use, says Dr.
Deane meaning more than a month or so. Again, he suggests going into treatment with a mindset that you'll use prednisone for a short time—ideally, two weeks or less. Tummy troubles like upset stomach, diarrhea, and a possible increased risk of stomach ulcers are some of the more immediate side effects of steroid use.
To lower the chances of dealing with these, avoid taking your prednisone with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, says Dr. Your doc also may suggest you take an additional med to help protect your stomach, like a proton-pump inhibitor, he says. Insomnia can be a frustrating side effect of prednisone use since the drug can alter the natural balance of sleep-regulating chemicals in the body. If it gets really bad, you can talk with your doctor about adding a sleeping medication to your arsenal.
That said, taking your prednisone dose in the morning can do the trick to help you avoid disrupted sleep, says Dr. Weight gain usually crops up because the prednisone can cause you to retain fluids and increase your appetite. Healthy eating and exercise are key, says Dr. As for exercise , find aerobic activities you enjoy and can keep up with—even walking. Your doctor should monitor you for this, says Dr.
Calcium and vitamin D can help reduce your risk. Talk with your doc about how much to supplement with. They also may recommend you take a drug that specifically helps prevent bone loss called a bisphosphonate, he says. Diet and exercise also protect bone health. Taking prednisone in high doses or for more than a month can put you at risk of an infection called pneumocystis pneumonia. Deane says. Remember: The best practice for taking prednisone is low dose and short-term.
There are likely longer-term medications you can try to get your chronic illness under control that offer fewer side effects and help reduce long-term damage, says Dr. Having a trusting relationship with your provider is key in finding the best treatment for you. Lara is a health writer, trauma-informed art therapist, and registered associate marriage and family therapist practicing in Los Angeles.
What can we help you find? Smart Strategies for Tackling RA. Rheumatoid Arthritis. August 19, Medical Reviewer. How Does Prednisone Work? What Are the Side Effects? How Much Is Too Much? How Long Should I Take it? Are Longer-Term Meds Better? Will Prednisone Affect My Sleep? Can Exercise and Nutrition Help? Start Survey.
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