Because cortisone is involved in regulating the body's balance of water, sodium, and other electrolytes, using these drugs can promote fluid retention and sometimes cause or worsen high blood pressure.
Similarly a transient increase in blood pressure can also occur after a cortisone injection although again this typically goes away within 5-7 days after the injection.
Some people have redness and a feeling of warmth of the chest and face after a cortisone shot. If you have diabetes, a cortisone shot might temporarily increase your blood sugar levels. After your cortisone shot, your doctor might ask that you: Protect the injection area for a day or two.
Corticosteroid treatment has been previously associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and hyperglycaemia. Oral corticosteroid treatment may also be an independent risk factor for ischaemic events, particularly during treatment.
Steroid injections may have an effect for several days on blood tests, blood pressure or blood glucose levels. If you are having treatment by any health professional please make them aware you have had a steroid injection. The steroid injection may alter test results and may affect your treatment.
The Downsides
According to the National Institutes of Health, the side effects from cortisone shots include: Dizziness or headaches. Skin issues, including dryness, thinness, acne, dry skin, and red or purple blotches. Fatigue and trouble sleeping.
How long does a cortisone shot last? Everyone's body responds differently to a cortisone shot. It usually lasts somewhere between a few weeks and a few months.
Injected corticosteroids have the potential to enter systemic circulation and increase blood pressure. The effect is typically transient.
Conclusions: The major adverse effects of glucocorticoids on the cardiovascular system include dyslipidemia and hypertension. These effects may predispose treated patients to coronary artery disease if high doses and prolonged courses are used.
Possible side effects include facial flushing, occasional low-grade fevers, hiccups, insomnia, headaches, water retention, increased appetite, increased heart rate, and abdominal cramping or bloating. These side effects occur in less than 5% of patients and usually disappear within 1-3 days after the injection.
What Is the Difference Between Steroid and Cortisone Injections? Many people are curious about what differentiates a steroid injection from a cortisone shot. When discussing steroid and cortisone injections for orthopedic related conditions, the two terms are referring to the same injection product.
A cortisone flare is the most common immediate side effect of a cortisone injection. Some people may notice a flare-up of pain in the joint for the first 24 hours after receiving the injection, although this is rare. The discomfort can often be managed by taking over-the-counter painkillers.
Cortisol acts on the liver, muscle, adipose tissue, and pancreas.
If my blood pressure goes up while taking prednisone, will it go back down? Yes, it should. If your high blood pressure was caused by fluid retention, your blood pressure should gradually improve after you stop taking prednisone.
Some products that may interact with this drug are: aldesleukin, birth control pills, diabetes medications, estrogen hormone replacement, mifepristone, drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/warfarin, NSAIDs such as aspirin/celecoxib ...
The cortisone may result in palpitations, hot flushes, insomnia, and mild mood disturbance. This usually resolves within 24 hours and no treatment is necessary.
If you take prednisone for Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, you may experience side effects of heart pounding or heart palpitations — the sense that your heart is fluttering or skipping a beat. You may feel these sensations in your chest, neck, or throat for a few seconds to several minutes.
Hydralazine injection is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Can I drink alcohol after a cortisone injection? Yes. However, drinking alcohol will increase blood flow and bleeding after a cortisone injection. Therefore, we suggest you avoid alcohol at least a few days after a cortisone shot.
There is no medical limit on the number of injections a person can receive. However, there are concerns about repeated cortisone injections in specific areas of the body. Also, individual response to a cortisone shot varies. Some patients do not experience pain relief with cortisone treatments.
With hydrocortisone injections, the medicine is placed directly into the painful or swollen joint. It does not travel through the rest of your body. That means, it's less likely to cause side effects. Sometimes, though, hydrocortisone from a joint injection can get into your blood.
Pain and Swelling (Cortisone Flare)
The injected cortisone medication can crystallize inside the body. The crystals can cause pain and inflammation that is worse than the pain and inflammation caused by the condition being treated. This side effect is called a cortisone flare.