Cortisone Side Effects

Please note - some side effects for Cortisone may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Cortisone - for the Consumer

Cortisone

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Cortisone:

Difficulty sleeping; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache; increased appetite; increased sweating; indigestion; nervousness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; changes in menstrual periods; chest pain; eye pain or increased pressure in the eye; fever, chills, or sore throat; joint or bone pain; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); muscle pain or weakness; seizures; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; stomach pain or bloating; swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain or loss; vision changes; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds.

Side Effects by Body System

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including myocardial rupture following recent myocardial infarction, fluid retention, sodium retention, congestive heart failure, potassium loss, hypokalemic alkalosis, and hypertension have been reported with cortisone therapy.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects including peptic ulcer with potential perforation and hemorrhage, perforation of small and large bowel, pancreatitis, abdominal distention, nausea, increased appetite, and ulcerative esophagitis have been reported.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects including muscle weakness, steroid myopathy, loss of muscle mass, osteoporosis, vertebral compression fractures, aseptic necrosis of femoral and humoral heads, pathologic fracture of long bones, and tendon rupture have been reported.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects including euphoria, insomnia, mood swings, personality changes, severe depression, and psychotic manifestations have been reported.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects including convulsions, increased intracranial pressure with papilledema, vertigo, myalgia, arthralgia, malaise, headache, and psychic disturbances have been reported.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects including development of cushingoid state, suppression of growth in children, and secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness have been reported.

Ocular

Ocular side effects including posterior subcapsular cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma, and exophthalmos have been reported.

Hematologic

Thromboembolism has rarely been reported.

Genitourinary

Increase/decrease in motility and number of spermatozoa in men and menstrual irregularities in women have been reported rarely.

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