Serious side effects associated with higher doses and long-term use (greater than 1 month) are impaired wound healing, decreased growth (in children), decreased muscle production, fat deposits, stomach ulcers or bleeding, vision problems, higher risk for infection, and in rare cases life-threatening allergic reactions.
The good news is that if you're taking this medication for a short time — say, less than 5 days — you'll likely have few, if any, side effects, says Soliman. There's no limit on how long you can take prednisone.
The fear of using corticosteroids is so common that it has its own name: corticophobia. For topical steroids, this fear stems from well-known and severe adverse effects like Cushing syndrome and permanent skin atrophy.
This medicine may cause changes in mood or behavior for some patients. 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.
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.
To make sure prednisolone is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to prednisolone or any other medicine. have an infection (including eye infections) or any unhealed wounds. are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or you are breastfeeding.
Other potential side effects—like vision problems and osteoporosis —may be permanent.
Mood swings are common, too. In rare cases, people experience disorientation and hallucinations — a condition called “steroid-induced psychosis.” This is more likely if you're taking high doses of prednisone for a longer period of time. Restlessness: In addition to mood changes, prednisone can increase energy levels.
Compromised immune system
Turns out, prednisone's greatest asset is also its greatest weakness. The very action that makes prednisone so effective — its ability to mute the immune system and relieve symptoms — can also lead to an increased risk of illness and infection, since your body's defenses are low.
Still, dexamethasone is more potent (stronger) than prednisone. If you're in a situation where you need a more potent steroid, dexamethasone will likely be the preferred option between the two. It also works longer in your body than prednisone does.
Prednisone controls inflammation by suppressing our immune system and is four times more potent than cortisol at decreasing inflammation. However, prolonged use can cause immunosuppression, muscle wasting, bone changes, fluid shifts, and personality changes.
How long to take it for. 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.
How long will it take to work? Prednisone generally works very quickly — usually within one to four days — if the prescribed dose is adequate to reduce your particular level of inflammation. Some people notice the effects of prednisone hours after taking the first dose.
For example, a 1–2 week course is often prescribed to ease a severe attack of asthma or gout. This is usually taken without any problems. Side effects are more likely to occur if you take a long course of steroids (more than 2–3 months), or if you take short courses often.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, oral and intravenous corticosteroids reduce the activity of the immune system, and people who take them may be at an increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19.
When you taper off prednisone, your adrenal glands have time to catch up and make normal levels of cortisol. This could take weeks or even months, depending on how long you took the medication or how high your dose was.
Self-care tips: Low cholesterol diet may help. If you develop signs suggesting heart problem, such as chest pain, get medical attention quickly. Work with your physician to address any heart risks that can be modified, such as exercise, weight and cholesterol level.
Sometimes a person will think that fluid retention is akin to weight gain. 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.
It's best to avoid drinking alcohol while taking prednisone or other corticosteroids (“steroids”). Alcohol can make some steroid side effects worse.
Yes. Prednisone is one of several medications known to cause weight gain. This is usually more likely to happen with long-term use or higher doses. For example, about 70% of people in one study who took oral corticosteroids (including prednisone) for over 60 days reported weight gain.
PREDNISONE (PRED ni sone) treats many conditions such as asthma, allergic reactions, arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, adrenal, and blood or bone marrow disorders. It works by decreasing inflammation, slowing down an overactive immune system, or replacing cortisol normally made in the body.
To avoid withdrawal after long-term use, prednisone should be reduced gradually according to a schedule set by your healthcare provider. Don't try to stop or taper prednisone without your healthcare provider's knowledge or advice.