Take prednisone for a shorter time. Short-term courses of prednisone appear to have less effect on weight. So if you're taking prednisone for around 10 days or less, you're not as likely to have weight gain. But you should never stop taking prednisone without your healthcare provider's approval and instructions.
Weight gain is a common side effect of prednisone. Prednisone can also cause a redistribution of fat to the face, back of the neck and the abdomen, although these changes vary from person to person. Generally speaking, the higher the dose and the longer the treatment, the greater the changes.
The majority of patients who take steroids long-term will experience weight gain, even as early as six months into treatment.
Higher doses and longer courses of steroids are much more likely to cause weight gain. Low doses and shorter courses are unlikely to cause any change in weight. Neither is a single injection for joint inflammation or the temporary use of a topical cream.
Short-term courses of prednisone appear to have less effect on weight. So if you're taking prednisone for around 10 days or less, you're not as likely to have weight gain.
You could expect a dose of prednisone to stay in your system for 16.5 to 22 hours. The elimination half life of prednisone is around 3 to 4 hours. This is the time it takes for your body to reduce the plasma levels by half. It usually takes around 5.5 half lives for a drug to be completely eliminated from your system.
Moon Face Is More Common in Long-Term, High-Dose Steroid Use. Moon face may appear within the first two months of steroid therapy, though the risk of developing it depends on dosage and length of treatment.
Taking steroid tablets for less than 3 weeks is unlikely to cause any significant long-term side effects. But you may get some side effects if you need to take them for longer, at a high dose or if you need frequent courses. Side effects of steroid tablets can include: indigestion or heartburn.
“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.
Weight gain from prednisone is usually caused by water retention and an increased appetite. Some people also experience body fat redistribution, a symptom that is characterized by fat deposits collecting in unusual areas like the base of the neck or back.
Rapid weight gain or swelling in particular areas of the body can be due to fluid retention and may be a sign of heart failure. According to the American Heart Association , a weight gain of more than 2–3 pounds (lb) over 24 hours or 5 lb in a week could be a sign of heart failure.
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.
Early in treatment (within several days), prednisone may increase feelings of well-being, anxiety, hypomania or mild euphoria. With long-term therapy, however, people may develop depression. Psychosis, referred to as corticosteroid-induced psychosis, can occur at doses of 20 mg or more per day with long-term use.
Even when used for a short time, prednisone can increase appetite and cause swelling of the face (called "facial mooning"). With long-term use, prednisone can also cause changes in body fat, leading to fat deposits at the back of the neck or around the belly.
Minimize canned and processed foods, soy sauce, cold cuts, chips, and other salty snacks, because high-sodium foods contribute to water retention. Choose low-calorie sources of calcium. Another prednisone side effect is the risk for bone mineral loss, so boosting calcium intake is important.
There's no limit on how long you can take prednisone. It depends on the condition being treated and the dosage. It could be as short as 3 to 5 days or up to several months or even years.
Prednisone affects areas of the brain that manage the regulation of different neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine — the “feel-good” hormones. Feeling happy is a great side effect some people feel with prednisone.
Prednisone can make you gain weight because it increases fluid retention and appetite. It can also redistribute fat to areas like your face and midsection, increasing their size.
It takes approximately 16.5 to 22 hours for Prednisone to be out of your system. The elimination half life of prednisone is around 3 to 4 hours. This is the time it takes for your body to reduce the plasma levels by half. It usually takes around 5.5 x half-life for a drug to be completely eliminated from your system.
If you are taking a steroid medication and are experiencing moon face, talk to your health care provider about reducing and stopping the medication if your medical condition allows. If you have Cushing syndrome or hypothyroidism, talk to your provider about different treatment options that can help reduce swelling.
If your face has gradually swollen into a rounded shape, you may have moon facies. Also called moon face, this is usually not serious. But it may make you feel self-conscious.
Abruptly stopping prednisone or tapering too quickly can lead to withdrawal side effects like fatigue, joint pain, mood swings or may worsen your medical condition. In some cases, adrenal crisis can occur, which is a life-threatening emergency. Your healthcare provider will determine your prednisone tapering schedule.
At this point, the adrenal glands need to be producing natural cortisol, as the Prednisone is no longer providing enough corticosteroid to keep the body functioning properly. At 5mg per day, it is usually advisable to reduce by only ½ mg at a time.
Some side effects, such as stomach upset or mood changes, can happen straight away. Others, such as getting a rounder face, happen after weeks or months.