Prednisone is a medication that belongs to a group of drugs called
corticosteroids. It is prescribed to treat many health issues like arthritis,
certain types of cancers, inflammations, lupus, skin problems and health
problems. Prednisone can be taken orally or injected. Prednisone is a wonderful
drug that helps in treating several medical issues, but like any other drug it
may cause side effects. It is important to know Prednisone side effects before
taking the medication.
It should be remembered that Prednisone does not cause
side effects to all. There may be absolutely no side effects for a few; some
may experience lees severe side effects and some may experience very severe
side effects that need immediate attention.
Less serious side effects of Prednisone:
* Mood swings. Change in mood may be positive or negative. A positive change in mood is a favorable side effect.
* Stomach problems like increase in appetite, burning, bloating, pain in the abdomen and swelling of abdomen.
* Swelling or change in the shape of the face, legs, hips and breasts. These changes are not permanent.
* Abnormal sweating
* Sleeping problems like insomnia and disturbed sleep.
* Skin problems like dry skin, acne and discoloration of skin
* Nausea
* Dizziness
* Headaches
* Acidity
* Mood swings. Change in mood may be positive or negative. A positive change in mood is a favorable side effect.
* Stomach problems like increase in appetite, burning, bloating, pain in the abdomen and swelling of abdomen.
* Swelling or change in the shape of the face, legs, hips and breasts. These changes are not permanent.
* Abnormal sweating
* Sleeping problems like insomnia and disturbed sleep.
* Skin problems like dry skin, acne and discoloration of skin
* Nausea
* Dizziness
* Headaches
* Acidity
The serious side effects of Prednisone include the
following:
* Severe depression and agitation
* High blood pressure
* Increased infections
* Unexplained weight gain
* Irregular, uneven and loud heart beats
* Frequent vomiting
* Tiredness and weakness of muscles
* Pain in the joints and muscles
* Stopping of menstrual cycle in women
* Fluid retention causing swelling of feet
* Problems in eye sight like blurred vision
* Slow healing of wounds
* Abnormal change in the potassium levels
* Vertigo
* Ulcer in the stomach
* High blood pressure
* Increased infections
* Unexplained weight gain
* Irregular, uneven and loud heart beats
* Frequent vomiting
* Tiredness and weakness of muscles
* Pain in the joints and muscles
* Stopping of menstrual cycle in women
* Fluid retention causing swelling of feet
* Problems in eye sight like blurred vision
* Slow healing of wounds
* Abnormal change in the potassium levels
* Vertigo
* Ulcer in the stomach
* Pancreatic inflammation
* High blood sugar
* High cholesterol levels
* Breathing problems and
* Convulsions
* High blood sugar
* High cholesterol levels
* Breathing problems and
* Convulsions
The side effects of Prednisone include both short term
and long term side effects. Discover more about these blood pressure treatments here.
Prednisone short term side effects:
The short term side effects of Prednisone include all the severe and less severe side effects listed above.
The short term side effects of Prednisone include all the severe and less severe side effects listed above.
Prednisone long term side effects are as follows:
Cataracts
Cataracts cause cloudiness in the eye lens. It can affect the eyesight and a surgery may be needed to correct the vision.
Cataracts cause cloudiness in the eye lens. It can affect the eyesight and a surgery may be needed to correct the vision.
Stretch marks
Permanent stretch marks may appear on the body, especially on thighs, abdomen and arms.
Permanent stretch marks may appear on the body, especially on thighs, abdomen and arms.
Increased risk of heart attack
As seen earlier, Prednisone increases the cholesterol level, blood pressure and sugar levels. These factors increase the risk of heart attack.
Increases risk of fractures
Prednisone causes osteoporosis in the long term. This increases the risk of fracture.
As seen earlier, Prednisone increases the cholesterol level, blood pressure and sugar levels. These factors increase the risk of heart attack.
Increases risk of fractures
Prednisone causes osteoporosis in the long term. This increases the risk of fracture.
Increased growth of body and facial hair
Hair grows rapidly on face and other parts of the body. This is a reversible long term side effect and may change when the drug is stopped.
Hair grows rapidly on face and other parts of the body. This is a reversible long term side effect and may change when the drug is stopped.
Redistribution of fat and weight gain
Prednisone weight gain may differ from one person to another. Some may have an alarming weight gain which needs immediate attention. Redistribution of fat may cause humps in neck and back etc.
Prednisone weight gain may differ from one person to another. Some may have an alarming weight gain which needs immediate attention. Redistribution of fat may cause humps in neck and back etc.
Increased risk of infections
It affects the immune system which increases the risk of infections.
It affects the immune system which increases the risk of infections.
Increased risk of bruising
Prednisone causes thinning of skin and increases the risk of bruising.
Prednisone causes thinning of skin and increases the risk of bruising.
Prednisone side effects in men are not different from
the side effects in women. The menstrual cycle in women is affected in women.
Prednisone is a prescription drug and should not be
taken without the advice of the doctor. Prednisone dosage recommended by the
doctor should be followed. Over dosage may worsen the side effects. Educate
yourself on Prednisone side effects before taking the medication. Keep
monitoring the blood pressure, potassium level and sugar level. Avoid fluid
retention by decreasing salt intake. It is better to avoid prolonged usage of
Prednisone. Make sure your doctor is informed about the side effects as soon as
possible.
