Common side effects of prednisolone, especially with high doses for long periods, include: fluid retention, which can lead to heart problems. trouble sleeping. bloating of the face and swelling of the abdomen.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took the brand-name version of prednisone (Rayos) in clinical trials: edema (swelling due to excess fluid) muscle weakness. bloating (swelling due to excess fluid or gas, often in the abdomen)
Another way to control fluid retention is to make sure you eat enough potassium rich foods, about 4,700 milligrams daily. Potassium helps to decrease sodium levels and also increases urine production which helps flush out extra fluids. Lean protein can also help promote weigh loss for patients on prednisone.
One reason for this bloating is because prednisone changes the way your body processes salt, so being wary of salt-heavy foods may be a strategy to make gastrointestinal effects less severe. Additionally, be careful not to take the drug on an empty stomach if you've been noticing that it causes stomach upset.
“When the patient stops taking the prednisone, fat distribution goes back to normal and moon face disappears after a few weeks,” Dr. Galligan says. And, again, this kind of swelling isn't harmful, so moon face is actually a relatively minor potential side effect of prednisone.
Indigestion: Prednisone can lead to stomach irritation for some people. This is much more likely to happen if you're also taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the same time. Other digestive changes, like diarrhea, are not common side effects of prednisone (more on this below).
The most serious prednisone side effects usually include allergic reactions, infections, gastrointestinal issues and elevated blood sugar. These may occur when people take larger doses or take the medication for long-term treatment.
Fluid retention is one of prednisone's most famous side effects. “'Moon face' is common, which is swelling in the face that can occur after you've been on steroids for a long time,” Dr. Ford notes. “You can also get swelling in the legs and midsection.”
Fluid retention can cause weight gain but as steroids are reduced, fluids will usually reduce as well, along with some of the weight gain. Drinking plenty of water and exercising can help with fluid retention.
Because prednisone may also increase blood sugar levels, you should avoid foods with simple carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, and candy.
Steroid drugs, such as prednisone, can cause weight gain in the face. They can make a person's face look swollen, puffy, and round. These symptoms usually go away once a person stops treatment. A lower dosage of steroids may also reduce the symptoms.
A gradual reduction in prednisone dosage gives your adrenal glands time to resume their usual function. The amount of time it takes to taper off prednisone depends on the disease being treated, the dose and duration of use, and other medical considerations. A full recovery can take a week to several months.
Some people only take prednisone for short periods of time. But even with short-term use, prednisone can cause changes in your appetite and mood, sweating, and insomnia. Your blood sugar levels can also go up. Typically, these side effects should resolve after you finish your course of prednisone.
Gastrointestinal issues
Description: corticosteroids can cause some gastrointestinal symptoms such as pain/cramps in the stomach and/or acid reflux. These symptoms are mild and can be treated relatively easily by your doctor.
Prednisone side effects are common and can include insomnia, abnormal hair growth, fatigue, thinning of the skin, constipation, and more.
Specific medications in this group include (in no particular order) Flovent, Pulmicort, QVAR, Asmanex, and many others, both brand-name and generic. These are medicines that are similar to prednisone, but the dose is much lower than prednisone taken by mouth, and the side effects are dramatically reduced.
A 5-day course of prednisone can cause short-term side effects, including changes in mood, appetite, sleep, and energy. The severity of the side effects depends on the dose of prednisone. Low doses are less likely to cause adverse effects than high doses of prednisone.
Tell your doctor right away if you have depression, mood swings, a false or unusual sense of well-being, trouble with sleeping, or personality changes while taking this medicine. This medicine might cause thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) or slow growth in children if used for a long time.
This depends on your health problem or condition. You may only need a short course of prednisolone for up to 1 week. You may need to take it for longer, even for many years or the rest of your life.
Corticosteroids — like prednisone — can have serious long-term side effects. This is especially true when someone takes them for a long time or at a higher dose. Examples of corticosteroids side effects include weight gain, osteoporosis, eye problems, and increased infection risk.
If you take oral corticosteroids for a long time, your adrenal glands may produce less of their natural steroid hormones. To give your adrenal glands time to recover this function, your provider may reduce your dose gradually.
Prednisone can irritate the lining of your stomach and should always be taken with a meal. If your stomach still feels sore after taking prednisone with food, try taking an antacid. If the discomfort persists or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Steroids can irritate the lining of the stomach by inhibiting prostaglandins – these are substances that help protect the stomach lining. Excessive irritation can lead to stomach ulcers.